Richard L. Metz

P.O. Box 777   ●  Bellevue, NE 68005-0777  ●  402.293.8514  ●  e-mail: dickmetz@cox.net

Counseling and Related Experience

Owner-Consultant

2003 - Present

Metz Consulting, L.L.C.

Bellevue, Nebraska

Evaluate disabled individuals who have sustained severe and debilitating work related injuries covered by the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation statutes.   Determine and report the impact which the work-related injury may have had on an individual’s earning capacity.  Supply specific and general consultative services to attorneys, insurance company representatives, and employers regarding return-to-work issues.  Prepare and issue Loss of Earning Power/Capacity Evaluation Report.  Review similar reports prepared and issued by other vocational rehabilitation counselors.  Report findings of these assessments, and, if appropriate, issue rebuttal reports authorized under the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act.   Prepare other required reports, correspondence, and records.  Render expert testimony in state courts and hearings, as required.

Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

1998 - 2003

Bass & Babb Case Management and Consulting

Bellevue, Nebraska

Provided personal and career counseling and case management services to disabled individuals who sustained severe and debilitating work related injuries covered by the Nebraska and Iowa Workers’ Compensation statutes.  Supplied specific and general consultative services to attorneys, insurance company representatives, and employers regarding return-to-work issues, and the provision of associated counseling service.  Conducted interviews to obtain required data.  Arranged for necessary special and diagnostic testing.  Performed evaluative services such as, vocational, interest and aptitude testing.  Recommended application of adaptive technology equipment and measures in order to accommodate the injured individual’s functional impairments, physical limitations and restrictions, etc.  Developed programs necessary to enable individual to work, live, and function independently.  Prepared and submitted required vocational rehabilitation plans necessary to restore the client to suitable and gainful work.  Furnished job-seeking skills training and instruction to clients.  Performed follow‑up services regarding all aspects of vocational training and adjustment.  Prepared required reports, correspondence, and records.  Rendered expert testimony in state courts and hearings, as required.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

1996 - 1998

Intracorp

Omaha, Nebraska

Furnished personal and career counseling services to assigned clients.  Conducted interviews to obtain required data.  Arranged for necessary special and diagnostic support.  Supplied evaluative services, such as vocational, interest and aptitude testing.  Developed comprehensive rehabilitation plans which included physical restoration, job placement, job site and residential modifications, academic and on‑the‑job training, and referral services.  Performed follow‑up services pertaining to all aspects of vocational training and adjustment.  Prepared required reports, correspondence, and records.  Provided expert testimony, as required.

Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor

1992 - 1996

Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

Lincoln, Nebraska

Organized planned, coordinated, controlled, directed, and supervised activities of the Workers ’ Compensation Court's Vocational Rehabilitation Unit and assigned counseling and clerical staff.  Developed and recommended policies and procedures.  Managed an annual caseload of over 1,100 clients.  Monitored clients' academic and vocational training programs to ensure individuals were making satisfactory progress.  Reviewed vocational rehabilitation plans submitted by vocational rehabilitation counselors.  Determined appropriateness of proposed plans, and approved/disapproved same.  Presented technical and general information through public speaking, workshops, training sessions, and individual contacts with counselors, attorneys, judges, injured workers, college administrators and faculty, and news media.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

1990 - 1992

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Scottsbluff & Lincoln, Nebraska

Determined eligibility for services.  Conducted interviews to obtain required data.  Arranged for all special and diagnostic testing.  Provided assessment services.  Conducted personal counseling and therapy sessions.  Assisted clients in developing comprehensive rehabilitation plans.  Performed follow‑up services regarding all aspects of vocational training and adjustment.  Prepared and maintained required reports, correspondence, and records.  Performed field assignments requiring varying degree of travel.

Assistant Director, Career Planning & Placement Center

1989 - 1990

Texas Christian University

Ft. Worth, Texas

Provided one‑on‑one career and personal counseling to students, alumni and staff.  Assisted clients in assessing skills, values, interests, personality traits, and abilities to effectively begin meaningful job searches.  Critiqued client resumes.  Provided expert computerized career counseling services using SIGI+ and DISCOVER software.  Taught career-related seminars.

Career/Student Retention Services Counselor

1988 - 1989

Metropolitan Community College

Omaha, Nebraska

Federally-funded grant position and program.   Provided academic advisement, career counseling, personal guidance, admissions and enrollment assistance to community college students.  Provided tutoring services to students.  Acted as liaison between students and faculty on academically‑related issues.  Helped students prepare financial aid documents and obtain assistance in meeting educational expenses.  Taught career counseling-related classes.

Post-Secondary Education Experience

Instructor

1989 - 1990

Texas Christian University

Ft. Worth, Texas

Taught Career Awareness, Career Planning, and Job Seeking Skills courses.

College Instructor

1988 - 1989

Metropolitan Community College

Omaha, Nebraska

Taught classes in Career Planning, and Microcomputer Applications (Fundamentals).

College Instructor

1979 - 1982

Los Angeles Metropolitan Community College

Yigo, Guam

Provided instruction in three college-level courses:  Personnel Management, Business Organization & Management, and Fundamental of Speech.

College Instructor

1974 - 1976

Belleville Area College

Belleville, Illinois

Taught college-level classes in Personnel Management, and continuing education courses in Bookkeeping and Accounting.

Director, Disadvantaged Student Project

1974 - 1975

Belleville Area College

Belleville, Illinois

Administered federally-funded program at local community college designed to assist new GED recipients in their transition from being secondary school-level students to first-year college attendees.  Offered relevant lectures and seminars, assisted students in preparing required forms and documents, and performed academic advising and enrollment services.  Supervised assigned academic counselor and administrative staff.

Publications and Presentations

"Rehabilitation Workbook," Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court, Lincoln, Nebraska.  (1994, 1995).

"History of Vocational Education in America," Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Presented to the International Vocational Network Forum, Senmon Gekko, Unazuki International Hotel, Unazuki, Japan.  (1993).

"American Local Government and Its Specific Education and Training Needs,” Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Presented to the Northern Territory University, Casuarinas, Northern Territory, Australia.  (1992).

"Career Planning Guide for Students,"  Career-Oriented Division, Belleville Area College, Belleville, Illinois.   (1975).

Education

Post-Graduate Studies - Doctor of Philosophy – Ph.D.

1990 - 1996

University of Nebraska

Lincoln, Nebraska

Master of Science – M.S.

1988

Creighton University

Omaha, Nebraska

Bachelor of Science – B.S.

1975

Southern Illinois University

Carbondale, Illinois

Associate of Arts – A.A.

1974

Belleville Area College

Belleville, Illinois

Licenses and Certifications

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)

Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification

Schaumburg, Illinois

Certification #: 0091234 – Expires 9/2011

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Court

Lincoln, Nebraska

Certification #:  PC-0001 – Expires 12/2007

Military Service

United States Air Force (USAF)

Retired

Computer Operations Staff Officer/Inspector

Headquarters Strategic Air Command

Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska

Elective/Public Service

Impartial Hearing Officer

1997 - Present

Nebraska Department of Education

Lincoln, Nebraska

Member, Board of Trustees

1996 - 1999

Sanitary Improvement District #183

Bellevue, Nebraska

Organizational Memberships

International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals

International Association of Industrial Accident Boards & Commissions

Nebraska admirals ASSOCIATION

Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks (B.P.O.E.)

Omaha, Nebraska

Fraternal Order of Eagles

Nebraska City, Nebraska

Veterans of Foreign Wars

Omaha, Nebraska

American Legion

Omaha, Nebraska