Senior Associate, Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant

New York Life • New York, NY

5d • $80,000 - $100,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist is a frontline professional resource in the Vocational Services Department, applying accredited rehabilitation counseling expertise to support absence management and disability insurance services under employer-based group benefit policies and contracts. The position provides vocational, occupational, and workplace accommodation expertise across Pre-Disability and ADA accommodations, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability return-to-work services, vocational analyses and reporting, and live claim staffings.

This is a hybrid role in terms of its functional responsibilities: assignments may emphasize different areas at different times, but the specialist is expected to maintain the competencies needed to support all core Vocational Services functions. The role does not adjudicate or pay claims; it provides 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.

The specialist applies in-depth practical expertise, independent problem-solving, and sound professional judgment, serving as a reliable vocational resource for internal and external clients, partners, and customers. The work is performed in a virtual or remote environment and involves sustained technology use, telephonic communication, and secure handling of confidential information.

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; practicum and/or internship experience may qualify.
• Strong working knowledge of occupational classification systems, assessment of material duties and demands, reasonable modifications, and transferable skills.
• Ability to assimilate and apply policy language, program guidelines, and vocational standards.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and SharePoint, and 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, such as LPC, CVE, CCM, CDMS, or 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 connecting work to strategy and customer value, discovering better ways of working, delivering value efficiently, and enabling people to contribute fully.
• Experience participating as a frontline contributor in CI practices such as standard work, visual management, demand and capacity discussions, problem-solving, and performance conversations.
• Experience 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 decisions.
• Complete vocational analyses and reports, including own occupation analyses, transferable skills analyses, and related assessments, following established standards, workflows, and templates.
• Interpret medical, vocational, occupational, and functional information in the context of policy definitions and program guidelines, escalating complex issues when appropriate.
• Document professional opinions, findings, and rationale in claims and vocational systems accurately and clearly.
• 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 assessing 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 participating in the interactive process when applicable.
• Apply ADA concepts, job demands, and workplace accommodation knowledge to Pre-Disability and accommodation-related referrals.
• Analyze job duties and functional requirements to identify potential accommodations or work adjustments.
• Communicate vocational and accommodation considerations 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 on 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 clearly and practically.
• Work independently and collaborate with vocational peers, claims teams, and internal partners to deliver consistent, high-quality services.
• Apply established best practices, procedures, and quality standards across functional areas.
• Identify trends, issues, and improvement opportunities and share observations with team leaders or senior vocational staff.
• Participate in training, onboarding, calibration, and professional development activities.

Benefits

• Full package of employee benefits, including leave programs, adoption assistance, and student loan repayment programs.
• Annual discretionary bonus eligibility.
• May be eligible to participate in an incentive program.

What This Job Offers

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