Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

AZ Dept. of Economic Security•Lake Havasu City, AZ

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES), Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services, is hiring a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Rehabilitation Services Administration. Reporting to a Supervisor, the counselor provides vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance to individuals with disabilities to address employment barriers and help them gain the skills to enter, obtain, or retain employment. Placement as an Entry, Intermediate, or Senior counselor depends on the candidate’s education, experience, and credentials. The annual salary ranges from $48,510.17 to $55,440.52, commensurate with qualifications. The position is hybrid and may be eligible for remote work within Arizona, with at least two days per week in an office or hoteling space. Travel is required for client meetings, outreach and events, office coverage, and other State business. Work, including remote work, must be performed within Arizona unless an exception is authorized. Driving on State business requires a current, valid, class-appropriate driver’s license and compliance with State training and driving-record requirements; employees using a personally owned vehicle must maintain required liability insurance. Candidates are subject to Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services registry searches, background and reference checks, and must have or qualify for a valid Level One Arizona fingerprint clearance card before their first day. Newly hired State employees must successfully complete E-Verify. Employment is contingent on completion of the stated pre-employment requirements and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.

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 the Intermediate credential requirements and hold Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification.
Knowledge of federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining 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, counseling persons with disabilities, interpersonal communication, time management, and oral and written communication.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, motivate clients, be resourceful and solve problems, and understand computer access technology and assistive aids and devices.
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 the required Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services registry searches.
Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify) if newly hired by the State.
If driving or using a vehicle on State business, possess and retain a current, valid, class-appropriate driver’s license, complete required training, and meet driving-record requirements. Employees using a personally owned vehicle must maintain required liability insurance.

Responsibilities

Introduce clients to the vocational rehabilitation program, including eligibility criteria and client rights and responsibilities.
Review clients’ medical and 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 individually with clients to solve problems and establish or modify an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
Manage cases and maintain regular contact with clients, service providers, and collaborative programs; assess services and progress toward IPE goals.
Manage fiscal resources, including authorizing, reviewing, and paying for services.
For Intermediate-level counselors, provide case management for clients with complex needs and goals, serve as a liaison for specialized groups, and guide Entry counselors.
For Senior-level counselors, provide case management for clients with high complexity levels and potentially serve as backup to the Rehabilitation Supervisor.

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.
Option for a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, subject to management approval and discretion.
Voluntary deferred compensation program for tax-deferred retirement investments.