Senior Associate, Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant

New York Life•New York, NY

2d•$80,000 - $100,000•Remote

About The Position

Group Benefit Solutions delivers comprehensive insurance and absence management solutions for mid-sized and large companies. Our work fosters a healthier, happier, and more secure workforce, contributing to New York Life’s legacy of being there when we’re needed most. Here, you'll design, implement, and support these solutions directly impacting employees’ lives. At our core, we provide financial security and peace of mind to people through our absence, accident, disability, voluntary benefits, and life insurance solutions. The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist is a frontline professional resource within the Vocational Services Department who applies accredited rehabilitation counseling expertise to support absence management and disability insurance services delivered under employer-based group benefit policies and contracts. This role provides vocational, occupational, and workplace accommodation expertise across multiple functional areas, including Pre-Disability and ADA accommodations, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability return-to-work services, vocational analyses and reporting, and participation in live claim staffings. The position is designed as a hybrid role. While individual work assignments may emphasize specific functional areas at different times, the Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist is expected to maintain the knowledge, skills, and competencies necessary to support all core Vocational Services functions. The role does not adjudicate or pay claims. Instead, it delivers expert vocational input, analysis, and customer-facing services that claims professionals and employer partners use to inform benefit decisions and support safe, productive work outcomes. This role requires in-depth practical expertise, independent problem-solving, sound professional judgment, and the ability to serve as a reliable vocational resource for internal and external clients, partners, and customers.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a closely related field.
Active Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
Demonstrated vocational rehabilitation counseling experience with practical application of occupational analysis, vocational assessment, and return-to-work principles (This may include practicum and/or internship experience).
Strong working knowledge of occupational classification systems, assessment of material duties and demands as well as reasonable modifications, and transferable skills.
Ability to assimilate and apply policy language, program guidelines, and vocational standards.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, SharePoint, and the ability to learn proprietary claims and vocational systems.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex vocational information to diverse audiences.
Effective time management and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to ethical practice in accordance with company standards and CRCC requirements.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting ADA accommodations and the interactive process.
Experience completing own occupation analyses and transferable skills analyses in a disability insurance environment.
Additional relevant licenses or certifications (e.g., LPC, CVE, CCM, CDMS, CEAS).
Experience providing job retention, stay-at-work, or return-to-work services within group disability or absence management programs.
Experience working within a Continuous Improvement (CI) Management System, including application of the core CI disciplines of connecting work to strategy and customer value, discovering better ways of working, delivering value efficiently, and enabling people to contribute to their fullest potential. Preferred experience includes participating as a frontline contributor in CI practices such as standard work, visual management, demand and capacity discussions, problem-solving, and performance conversations, and using CI tools to build behaviors that support quality, transparency, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

Analyze occupational, vocational, and labor market information to support disability, accommodation, and return-to-work decision-making.
Complete vocational analyses and reports, which may include own occupation analyses, transferable skills analyses, and related vocational assessments, following established standards, workflows, and templates.
Interpret medical, vocational, occupational, and functional information within the context of policy definitions and program guidelines, escalating complex issues as appropriate.
Clearly document professional opinions, findings, and rationale in claims and vocational systems to ensure accuracy, transparency, and long-term usability.
Provide direct vocational rehabilitation services to employees of client organizations to support stay-at-work and return-to-work outcomes following disability.
Conduct telephonic or virtual vocational interviews to assess motivation, functional abilities, work history, transferable skills, and vocational goals.
Collaborate with customers, employers, health care providers, and internal partners to develop realistic, safe, and sustainable work plans.
Support employer accommodation and modified duty discussions within defined processes, including participation in the interactive process when applicable.
Apply working knowledge of ADA concepts, job demands, and workplace accommodations to support Pre-Disability and accommodation-related referrals.
Analyze job duties and functional requirements to identify potential accommodations or work adjustments.
Communicate vocational and accommodation considerations clearly to internal partners and employer representatives.
Participate in live claim staffings and consultations with claims managers, nurses, behavioral health professionals, and other partners.
Provide real-time vocational input related to occupational demands, work capacity, accommodation feasibility, and return-to-work planning.
Serve as a subject matter resource, explaining vocational concepts, industry practices, and labor market considerations in a clear and practical manner.
Work independently while collaborating closely with vocational peers, claims teams, and other internal partners to deliver consistent, high-quality services.
Apply established best practices, procedures, and quality standards across all functional areas.
Identify trends, issues, or opportunities for improvement and share observations with team leaders or senior vocational staff.
Participate in training, onboarding, calibration, and professional development activities.