Rehab Counselor II

State of Maine•Lewiston, ME

About The Position

The Rehabilitation Counselor II – Targeted Caseload position is with the Maine Department of Labor, Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The counselor serves adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Regions I, II, and III, in the greater Augusta, Lewiston, and Portland areas. The role provides vocational rehabilitation services and works extensively with individuals, families, providers, state agency partners, employers, and schools to support competitive integrated employment in meaningful careers aligned with each individual’s needs. The Division offers opportunities for ongoing staff development to help counselors stay current on supported employment best practices. The role requires establishing counseling relationships with consumers, assessing their needs and available resources, and developing and implementing rehabilitation plans leading to employment. It also involves employer outreach, advocacy, workforce-system partnership building, and maintaining detailed client documentation in the AWARE computer-based system. Frequent local and occasional statewide travel are required. Certain positions may require fingerprinting after a conditional offer as part of the background process. The position is based across the listed Maine regions and is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions. The stated salary is $26.36–$33.73 per hour, including a 2% stipend. The opening date is October 28, 2026, and the closing date is November 12, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a field related to vocational rehabilitation.
Two years of experience demonstrating knowledge and abilities in assisting individuals with disabilities, employers, and other stakeholders with employment and workforce needs.
Strategies to effectively work remotely.
Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Flexibility and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of the local labor market.
Ability to work well as a member of a team.
Excellent prioritization, organization, and time-management skills.
Detail-oriented documentation.
Frequent local and occasional statewide travel.

Responsibilities

Establish a counseling relationship and partnership with consumers.
Contact business and industry groups, advocate for clients, and offer incentives and assistance to place clients in jobs.
Build partnerships within the workforce development system.
Evaluate and interpret medical and psychological information, assess client needs and available resources, and develop and implement a comprehensive rehabilitation plan leading to employment.
Maintain accurate documentation using the AWARE computer-based client data system.
Provide vocational rehabilitation services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and work with individuals, families, providers, state agency partners, employers, and schools to support competitive integrated employment outcomes.

Benefits

13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3 or more weeks of vacation leave annually; vacation accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
The State pays 85%–100% of employee-only health insurance premiums, depending on salary; participation in the health insurance premium credit program can decrease employee-only premiums by 5%.
The State pays 100% of employee-only dental insurance premiums.
The State contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System on behalf of the employee.
Gym membership reimbursement of up to $40 per month.
Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Eligibility for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness as an employee of a qualified employer.
Employee assistance program through the Living Resources Program.
42 consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave for employees welcoming a child; additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary deferred compensation through a MaineSaves 457(b) account.