Rehabilitation Counselor - Des Moines

State of Iowa • Des Moines - 50313 - Polk County, IA

12h • Hybrid

About The Position

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor to join our team at the Iowa Works office in Des Moines, Iowa. This role is more than a job- it is an opportunity to partner with individuals with disabilities as they build meaningful, sustainable employment and greater independence. If you are motivated by purpose-driven work, collaboration, and helping others reach their full potential, we encourage you to apply.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in a human-services-related field; and a total of one year of graduate-level education and/or full-time work in professional vocational rehabilitation counseling services or human services field, where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university 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.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field; and a total of twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university 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
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
• No applicant for employment with the Iowa Department of Workforce Development can have a current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development without a payment plan in place.
• Selected positions will be subject to a criminal background check.

Nice To Haves

• Travel may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.

Responsibilities

• Deliver Pre-Employment Transition Services to potentially eligible students
• Interview applicants and support teams; gather medical, psychological, educational, and social information
• Determine eligibility and Significance of Disability classifications
• Develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) tailored to each participant’s goals, interests, and abilities
• Provide counseling and guidance to support informed career decisions and long-term employment success
• Coordinate and authorize services necessary to achieve employment goals
• Interpret and apply federal regulations and agency policies consistently across cases
• Maintain accurate and timely case documentation within 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 on 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 for 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
• Generous Paid Time Off- vacation, sick leave (no accrual cap), and nine paid holidays
• IPERS Retirement Plan plus optional deferred compensation savings
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
• Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance & Discount Programs
• Professional development and career growth opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level