Vocational Consultant

IMS Legal Strategies is a trusted partner to law firms and corporations worldwide, providing the expertise and technology needed to solve complex challenges and position disputes for the best possible outcomes. Our integrated consulting and expert witness solutions span the full litigation lifecycle, helping clients develop informed strategies and present cohesive narratives. Our team brings decades of experience in more than 70,000 cases and 6,500 trials. 

“Together, we win” is the IMS company motto and a genuine philosophy that guides our work with clients, experts, and one another. From entry-level to executives, we are driven by five core values: 1) Ownership Thinking, 2) Humble Confidence, 3) Quality and Excellence, 4) Honor the Relationship, and 5) Operate as One.
 
We invite you to join our thriving company, committed to shared success. Visit imslegal.com for more. 

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Vocational Consultant conducts vocational assessments and employability evaluations for matters arising in workers’ compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice, employment law, family law, veterans’ disability, and long-term disability/ERISA. The consultant serves as a testifying expert witness, develops well-supported vocational opinions, prepares written reports, and collaborates with attorneys, insurance adjusters, policyholders, and other referral sources. The role also supports senior consultants with project-based work, including record summaries, labor market analyses, and vocational research. This position reports to the Director of Vocational Services and coordinates direct assistance with other staff as needed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Strategize cases with referral sources and provide expert testimony at depositions and trials, as requested. 
• Review medical, educational, employment, earnings, and other relevant records. 
• Conduct in-person, telephonic, or virtual vocational interviews. 
• Administer, score, and interpret vocational testing, including achievement, aptitude, and intelligence measures. 
• Analyze and classify past work; identify transferable skills; and determine vocationally probable jobs with or without additional training. 
• Conduct labor market research related to employment opportunities, wages, training, and job availability. 
• Discuss case strategy, scope, and status with the Director of Vocational Services and referral sources, as needed. 
• Provide complete referral information to office staff and coordinate vocational evaluations. 
• Prepare timely written reports that clearly communicate vocational findings and opinions. 
• Complete records-review-only matters and consulting expert assignments when no claimant or plaintiff contact is required. 
• Perform vocational assessments for veterans appealing Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) claims, including records review, veteran interviews, past-work and transferable skills analysis, unemployability assessment, and timely reporting. Testimony is not required for these assignments. 
• Complete long-term disability/ERISA vocational assessments for policyholders, their attorneys, or insurance companies, including analysis of own-occupation and/or any-occupation standards, past work, transferable skills, and labor market information. Written reports are required; testimony may occasionally be required. 
• Provide vocational case management services to injured workers, which may include vocational interviews, testing, transferable-skills analyses, coordination with medical providers and case managers, job analyses, job-seeking skills training, job placement, employer return-to-work coordination, and case reporting. 
• Support senior consultants with record summaries, vocational research, labor market analyses, and other project-based work. 

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: 

• Minimum of three to five years of experience performing vocational assessments, vocational case management, and job placement. 
• Prior experience providing vocational expert testimony is strongly preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience administering, scoring, and interpreting vocational testing, including achievement, aptitude, and intelligence measures. 
• Proficiency with transferable skills analysis software. 
• Knowledge of vocational treatises and the ability to apply them effectively in written reports and oral testimony. 
• Strong analytical, research, interviewing, case management, report writing, and verbal communication skills. 
• Ability to manage deadlines, multiple concurrent matters, confidential information, and travel requirements. 

EDUCATION & TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a closely related field. 
• Current Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credentials are required. 
• Membership in the American Board of Vocational Experts (ABVE) is strongly preferred. 
• Additional vocationally relevant certifications and state licenses are desirable. 

LOCATION: 

• This position is 100% remote and supports east to west coast time zones. Travel is required for in-person company meetings, client evaluations and case management, depositions, and trial testimony. The primary geographic territories are Massachusetts and Connecticut; travel within other parts of the United States is required as needed. 

Our Employer Value Proposition Includes 

• Competitive compensation package with 401K match  
• Flexible PTO and 12 paid holidays  
• Robust health and welfare benefits, including medical, dental, vision, HSA, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance, all with generous company contributions  
• Career development programs supported through an integrated Learning Platform  
• Talent Identification Program to recognize and reward our high-performing, high-potential team members through career growth opportunities and unique development experiences  
• Values-driven culture based on respect, care, growth, and excellence 

IMS Legal Strategies is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.