Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I, II, III

State of Delaware•Dover, DE

About The Position

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor coordinates and provides rehabilitation services to eligible individuals with disabilities to support employment. The counselor determines eligibility by applying statutory and regulatory standards to medical, psychological, educational, and vocational information. Throughout the rehabilitation process, the counselor provides and documents vocational counseling and guidance, identifies services needed to achieve competitive integrated employment, and addresses barriers in ways consistent with each participant’s abilities, priorities, career pathway, and the local labor market. The role provides specialized counseling and support to clients and families; assesses client needs; develops and monitors employment rehabilitation plans; coordinates services with partner organizations; and supports job development, placement, and successful employment outcomes. The job series includes Levels I, II, and III, with advancement potentially available upon satisfactory completion of department promotional standards and job requirements. This position is eligible for telework under the State of Delaware’s Alternative Work Arrangement Policy; further information is provided at interview.

Requirements

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social, Health or Behavioral Science, Education, or a related field.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I: Coursework, training, and/or work experience in case management, including assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet individual human-service needs, using effective counseling or interviewing techniques and resources such as service plans or case management systems.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I: Coursework, training, and/or work experience in health or human services, including applying relevant theories, principles, laws, and practices.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I: Coursework, training, and/or work experience in narrative report writing.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II: Bachelor’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social, Health or Behavioral Science, Education, or a related field.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II: One year of experience performing vocational rehabilitation work to help eligible individuals achieve employment, such as conducting assessments, determining eligibility, developing rehabilitation plans, or coordinating or providing counseling, training, or job placement services.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II: One year of case management experience assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet individual human-service needs.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II: One year of experience preparing case summaries and reports that accurately document findings, supporting facts, and recommendations.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II: Six months of experience ensuring compliance with vocational rehabilitation laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor III: Master’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social, Health or Behavioral Science, Education, or a related field.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor III: Two years of experience performing vocational rehabilitation work to help eligible individuals achieve employment, such as conducting assessments, determining eligibility, developing rehabilitation plans, or coordinating or providing counseling, training, or job placement services.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor III: Two years of case management experience assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet individual human-service needs.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor III: Two years of experience preparing case summaries and reports that accurately document findings, supporting facts, and recommendations.
Vocational Rehabilitation 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

Provide specialized vocational rehabilitation services, counseling, and support to clients and family members to promote successful employment and greater independence.
Interview clients and conduct comprehensive assessments of their 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, establish performance measures, and set 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; participate in job development and placement, including contacting prospective employers, placing clients, and evaluating 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 necessary adjustments.
Prepare and maintain accurate case 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, abilities, genders, ethnicities, ages, and races.
Perform other related duties as required.