Rehabilitation Counselor - Des Moines
About The Position
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS), within Iowa Workforce Development, is hiring a Rehabilitation Counselor at its Des Moines Vocational Rehabilitation branch office. The position provides counseling, coordination, and comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, helping them pursue meaningful, sustainable employment and greater independence. The counselor guides participants through career exploration, planning, and placement while working with families, schools, service providers, employers, and workforce organizations to address barriers and support competitive, integrated employment. The role is based at 525 SW Fifth St, Suite A, Des Moines, Iowa. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hybrid telework and alternate schedules 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 successfully complete a criminal background check conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety. The State of Iowa states that new employees will be expected to start at a base salary of $27.40 per hour, or $56,992 annually. The current pay grade is 28; positions for candidates with a bachelor’s degree are capped at 85%.
Requirements
- 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.
- Successfully complete a criminal background check conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
- Meet at least one minimum qualification pathway: (1) graduate from an accredited four-year college or university with a human-services-related degree and have 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; 24 semester hours of specified accredited graduate coursework count as one year of full-time experience; or (2) graduate from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field and complete 24 semester hours of specified accredited graduate coursework.
- Specified graduate coursework may be in rehabilitation counseling, human resources, school counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, education, or a closely related field.
- Have a payment plan in place for any current, ongoing Iowa Workforce Development overpayment balance.
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 consistently apply federal regulations and agency policies 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 and sick leave, with no accrual cap on sick leave.
- 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
