Rehabilitation Counselor - Des Moines
About The Position
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), within Iowa Workforce Development, is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor for its Iowa WORKS office in Des Moines. The role provides counseling, coordination, and comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabilities, helping them explore careers, plan for employment, and pursue competitive, integrated work and greater independence. The counselor works with participants, families, schools, service providers, employers, and workforce partners to address barriers and develop individualized pathways to employment. The position is based at 200 Army Post Rd., Des Moines, Iowa. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hybrid telework and an alternate schedule may be available after six months of employment and completion of training. Statewide travel to schools, rehabilitation facilities, businesses, and community locations is expected. Applicants must meet at least one of the listed minimum qualification paths: a four-year degree in a human-services-related field plus a total of one year of qualifying graduate education and/or full-time professional experience in vocational rehabilitation counseling or human services; or a four-year degree in any field plus 24 semester hours of qualifying graduate coursework in specified or closely related fields. The successful candidate must pass a criminal background check. For candidates with a bachelor’s degree, the position is capped at 85% of the current Rehabilitation Counselor pay grade 28.
Requirements
- Meet at least one of the following minimum qualification paths:
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in a human-services-related field, plus a total of one year of graduate-level education and/or full-time work in professional vocational rehabilitation counseling services or a human services field.
- For the first qualification path, 24 semester hours of qualifying accredited graduate coursework in rehabilitation counseling, human resources, school counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, education, or a closely related field equals one year of full-time experience.
- Alternatively, graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field, plus 24 semester hours of accredited graduate coursework in rehabilitation counseling, human resources, school counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, education, or a closely related field.
- Strong counseling, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to analyze information, exercise sound judgment, and document decisions clearly.
- Commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusive employment practices.
- Collaborative mindset and comfort working with diverse stakeholders.
- Organizational skills and attention to compliance and timelines.
- Ability to pass a criminal background check conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
- No current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development unless a payment plan is in place.
Responsibilities
- Deliver Pre-Employment Transition Services to potentially eligible students.
- Interview applicants and support teams, gathering medical, psychological, educational, and social information.
- Determine eligibility and Significance of Disability classifications.
- Develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) tailored to participants’ goals, interests, and abilities.
- Provide counseling and guidance to support informed career decisions and long-term employment success.
- Coordinate and authorize services needed to achieve employment goals.
- Interpret and apply federal regulations and agency policies consistently across cases.
- Maintain accurate and timely case documentation in the case management system.
- Collaborate with internal teams to meet compliance standards, timeframes, and agency goals.
- Build partnerships with employers, community providers, schools, and workforce organizations.
- Educate businesses about disability inclusion and reasonable accommodations.
- Develop on-the-job training, work-based learning, and apprenticeship opportunities.
- Collaborate with the Iowa Workforce Development Business Engagement Team on employer outreach.
- Support job carving and customized employment aligned with participant strengths and goals.
- Travel statewide to schools, rehabilitation facilities, businesses, and community locations.
- Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development activities.
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- Paid vacation, sick leave with no accrual cap, and nine paid holidays.
- IPERS retirement plan and optional deferred compensation savings.
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
- Life insurance and long-term disability coverage.
- Employee assistance and discount programs.
- Professional development and career growth opportunities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
