Determining Competencies for Managers in the Federal-State Vocational Rehabilitation System

The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the profession of rehabilitation counseling. In the field of rehabilitation counseling, counselors focus their efforts on assisting people with disabilities attain employment, independent living and maximize functioning despite the disability. Many rehabilitation counselors work in the federal-state vocational rehabilitation system, with over 80 vocational rehabilitation agencies in the United States. Rehabilitation counselors in the federal-state vocational rehabilitation system often get promoted to be a rehabilitation manager. Through role and function studies the competencies of a rehabilitation counselor have been researched. However, there is little research on the competencies of a rehabilitation manager. The literature indicates that the knowledge, skills and abilities of a manager are different than a counselor, however little empirical evidence is present. This study seeks to answer the research question: what are the competencies needed for a rehabilitation manager? This study uses the Delphi method of research by assembling a group of subject-matter experts who determine the competencies through a series of surveys. The Delphi method is a way of seeking consensus in an anonymous way, thus avoiding group think. Eighty (80) state directors in the federal-state vocational rehabilitation system received the first round of surveys. Of the eighty (80), seventeen (17) responded to the first survey, eleven (11) respond to the second round and ten (10) responded to the third round of surveys. Each round of surveys sought to lower the variance between responses. The research followed the theoretical framework of competency models that addresses knowledge, skills and abilities of the position in question. Through a series of surveys competencies are validated by subject-matter experts. All competencies received a somewhat important to extremely important rating, thus validating that all competencies are important. The final survey yielded one-hundred percent consensus of the following: effective communication skills, ability to handle high pressure situations and ability to lead staff. Additionally, ability manage partnerships, ability to think strategically, possession of emotional intelligence, ability to build trust, knowledge about relevant legislation and ability to independently and take initiative with minimal direction all achieved high ranking scores as necessary competencies for a rehabilitation manager to possess. Key words: management, competencies, rehabilitation management, rehabilitation counseling