Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I, II, III

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

About The Position

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor facilitates the transition of students with disabilities aged 14–22 from school to the community. The role supports activities that help students prepare for adult life and explore careers, coordinating transition and Pre-ETS activities with students, parents or guardians, educators, and service providers. These activities help transition-age youth develop skills and habits for adult life, improve their chances of future employment, and access post-secondary education. The position provides specialized vocational rehabilitation services, counseling, and support to clients and family members to promote employment and independence. Counselors assess clients’ abilities, interests, education, and needs; develop employment rehabilitation plans; provide individualized career guidance, training, and job placement support; coordinate services with partner organizations; monitor progress; and maintain accurate case records. The role may be filled at Counselor I, II, or III level, with advancement possible upon satisfactory completion of department promotional standards and job requirements.

Requirements

Counselor I: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social, Health or Behavioral Science, Education, or a related field.
Counselor I: Coursework, training, and/or work experience in case management, including assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating services to meet an individual’s human service needs, using counseling or interviewing techniques and resources such as service plans or case management systems.
Counselor I: Coursework, training, and/or work experience in health or human services work, including applying theories, principles, laws, and practices of programs and services that assist individuals, families, or communities.
Counselor I: Coursework, training, and/or work experience in narrative report writing.
Counselor II: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social, Health or Behavioral Science, Education, or a related field.
Counselor II: One year of experience performing vocational rehabilitation work to assist eligible individuals in achieving employment, such as conducting assessments, determining eligibility, developing rehabilitation plans, and coordinating or providing career counseling, training, or job placement services.
Counselor II: One year of case management experience, including assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating services to meet individual human service needs.
Counselor II: One year of experience preparing case summaries and reports that accurately document findings, supporting facts, and recommendations.
Counselor II: Six months of experience ensuring compliance with vocational rehabilitation laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
Counselor III: Master’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social, Health or Behavioral Science, Education, or a related field.
Counselor III: Two years of experience performing vocational rehabilitation work to assist eligible individuals in achieving employment, such as conducting assessments, determining eligibility, developing rehabilitation plans, and coordinating or providing career counseling, training, or job placement services.
Counselor III: Two years of case management experience, including assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating services to meet individual human service needs.
Counselor III: Two years of experience preparing case summaries and reports that accurately document findings, supporting facts, and recommendations.
Counselor III: One year of experience ensuring compliance with vocational rehabilitation laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.

Responsibilities

Facilitate school-to-community transition activities for students with disabilities aged 14–22, including career exploration and preparation for adult life.
Coordinate transition and Pre-ETS activities with students, parents or guardians, educators, and service providers.
Provide vocational rehabilitation services, counseling, and support to clients and family members to promote employment and independence.
Interview clients and conduct comprehensive assessments of aptitudes, abilities, education, interests, and other relevant information.
Obtain and evaluate employment, medical, psychological, psychiatric, social, educational, and vocational information to determine eligibility, service needs, and appropriate resources.
Develop employment rehabilitation plans that identify services, performance measures, and goals aligned with each client’s abilities and priorities.
Identify barriers to employment and work with clients to develop strategies to overcome them.
Provide individualized career counseling, guidance, and job training, and participate in job development and placement activities.
Contact prospective employers, place clients in jobs, and evaluate placement outcomes.
Ensure compliance with agency, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, professional mandates, and best practices.
Coordinate and integrate services with other agencies, medical facilities, educational institutions, and community resources.
Monitor client progress toward goals and performance measures through regular contact and make adjustments as needed.
Prepare and maintain accurate records and reports documenting case details and outcomes.
Use automated case management systems and computer software to research, review, analyze, document, and report client information.
Meet with clients and family members by telephone, email, and in person.
Communicate and interact effectively with people across cultures and ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, ages, and races.
Perform other related duties as required.