VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR

Arizona Department of Administration•Cottonwood, AZ

1d•$23 - $27•Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), is seeking a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance to individuals with disabilities. The role helps clients address barriers to employment and gain the skills needed to enter, obtain, or retain employment. It reports to a Supervisor and is based in a hybrid work environment. Remote work may be available within Arizona, with at least two days per week in the office or a hoteling space. Placement may be at the entry, intermediate, or senior tier based on education, experience, and certification. Annual salary ranges from $48,510.17 to $55,440.52, commensurate with qualifications. Entry-level counselors introduce clients to the vocational rehabilitation program and its eligibility criteria and client rights and responsibilities; review medical and psychological information; provide vocational counseling and career and labor-market exploration; meet individually with clients to develop or modify an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE); manage cases and maintain contact with clients, service providers, and collaborative programs; assess services and IPE progress; and manage fiscal resources, including authorizing, reviewing, and paying for services. Intermediate counselors perform these duties and also manage complex cases, serve as liaisons for specialized groups, and guide entry-level counselors. Senior counselors perform the above duties, manage cases with high complexity, and may serve as backup to the Rehabilitation Supervisor. The position requires travel for State business. Candidates are subject to child and adult protective services registry searches, must have or qualify for a Level One Arizona fingerprint clearance card before their first day, and must pass background and reference checks. Newly hired State employees must successfully complete E-Verify. If driving or vehicle use is an essential job function, applicable license, driving-record, training, and insurance requirements apply.

Requirements

Entry tier: Bachelor’s degree in a field reasonably related to rehabilitation counseling or another field that reasonably prepares the individual to work with people with disabilities and employers, plus two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Intermediate tier: Master’s degree in a field closely related to rehabilitation counseling, as defined by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, and one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Senior tier: Meet intermediate-tier credential requirements and hold Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification.
Knowledge of federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to vocational rehabilitation services.
At least one year of case management experience.
Knowledge of physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities, and referral and community resources.
Skill working with individuals with disabilities; computer access technology and assistive aids and devices; occupational opportunities and labor-market trends; effective oral and written communication; and time management.
Ability to problem-solve resourcefully, motivate clients to achieve goals, and use excellent interpersonal skills.
Subject to Child Protective Services Central Registry and Adult Protective Services Registry searches.
Have or meet the requirements to obtain a valid Level One Arizona fingerprint clearance card before the first day of employment.
Successfully pass background and reference checks and complete E-Verify.
Travel is required for State business. If driving or vehicle use is an essential function, maintain a current, valid, class-appropriate driver’s license and acceptable driving record; complete required training and checks; and maintain required liability insurance when using a personally owned vehicle on State business.

Responsibilities

Introduce clients to the vocational rehabilitation program, including eligibility criteria and client rights and responsibilities.
Review clients’ medical and/or psychological information to identify employment needs, goals, services, and resources.
Provide vocational counseling, career exploration, and labor-market exploration to determine suitable employment goals.
Meet one-on-one with clients to problem-solve and establish or modify an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
Provide case management; maintain regular contact with clients, service providers, and collaborative programs; and assess services and IPE progress.
Manage fiscal resources, including authorizing, reviewing, and paying for services.
For intermediate-tier counselors, provide case management to clients with complex needs and goals, serve as a program liaison for specialized groups, and guide entry-tier counselors.
For senior-tier counselors, provide case management to clients with high complexity and potentially serve as backup to the Rehabilitation Supervisor.
Travel for State business.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans.
Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans.
10 paid holidays per year.
Paid vacation and sick time.
Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child.
Deferred compensation plan.
Wellness plans.
Tuition reimbursement.
Stipend opportunities.
Infant at Work Program.
Rideshare and public transit subsidy.
Career advancement and employee development opportunities.
Voluntary deferred compensation program and participation in the State-sponsored retirement contribution plan.