VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR

Arizona Department of Administration•Lake Havasu City, AZ

20h•$48,510 - $55,441•Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Economic Security’s Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration, is hiring a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to provide counseling and guidance to individuals with disabilities. The role addresses barriers to employment and helps clients develop skills to enter, obtain, or retain employment. The position reports to a Supervisor and is based in a hybrid work environment in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Remote work may be available within Arizona, with at least two days per week in the office or hoteling space; remote work is subject to management approval and may be discontinued at the agency’s discretion. Placement may be at the Entry, Intermediate, or Senior tier, based on the candidate’s education, experience, and credentials. The Entry tier requires a related bachelor’s degree and two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. The Intermediate tier requires a closely related master’s degree and one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities. The Senior tier requires Intermediate qualifications plus Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and ranges from $48,510.17 to $55,440.52 annually. The position requires travel for client meetings, outreach and events, office coverage, and other State business. If driving is an essential job function, employees must maintain a valid, appropriate driver’s license, meet State training and driving-record requirements, and maintain required liability insurance when using a personally owned vehicle for State business. Candidates are subject to Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services registry searches, must have or qualify for a Level One Arizona fingerprint clearance card before their first day, and must successfully complete background, reference, and E-Verify requirements.

Requirements

Entry tier: bachelor’s degree in a field reasonably related to rehabilitation counseling or another field that reasonably prepares the candidate to work with individuals 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 and one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities; closely related fields are defined by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
Senior tier: meet Intermediate credential requirements and hold Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification.
Knowledge of federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations related to vocational rehabilitation services.
Knowledge of occupational opportunities, labor market trends, working with individuals with disabilities, physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities, and referral and community resources.
Skills in caseload management and counseling people with disabilities; excellent interpersonal skills; strong time management; effective oral and written communication.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, motivate clients toward goals, be resourceful and solve problems, and understand computer access technology and assistive aids and devices.
Meet applicable registry search, fingerprint clearance card, background check, reference check, and E-Verify requirements.
If driving is an essential function: maintain a current, valid, appropriate driver’s license, meet required training and driving-record standards, and maintain required liability insurance when using a personally owned vehicle for State business.

Responsibilities

Explain the vocational rehabilitation program, including eligibility criteria and clients’ 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 identify suitable employment goals.
Meet one-on-one with clients to solve problems and establish or modify Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs).
Manage cases, maintain regular contact with clients, service providers, and collaborative programs, and assess services and progress toward IPE goals.
Manage fiscal resources, including authorizing, reviewing, and paying for services.
For Intermediate counselors: provide case management to clients with complex needs and goals, serve as program liaison for specialized groups, and guide Entry counselors.
For Senior counselors: potentially serve as backup to the Rehabilitation Supervisor and provide case management to clients with high complexity levels.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) participation 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