Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

$58,035 - $88,235/Yr

Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania - Altoona, PA

Full-time - Entry Level

Remote - Altoona, PA

Administration of Human Resource Programs

About the position

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to join the Department of Labor & Industry, Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). This role is pivotal in assisting individuals with disabilities to acquire the necessary skills to live and work independently within their communities. The ideal candidate will possess a solid understanding of vocational rehabilitation services and demonstrate a commitment to helping individuals with disabilities secure gainful employment. This position offers the opportunity to experience the fulfillment of public service while also providing avenues for professional growth and development within the department. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, your primary responsibilities will include developing and maintaining referral sources to identify potential vocational rehabilitation customers. You will be tasked with determining and coordinating the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services tailored to each customer’s needs. This involves setting appropriate vocational goals, providing counseling and guidance, and assisting with job placements. Additionally, you will be responsible for entering case notes, generating correspondence, preparing case reports, and following up with customers to assess the appropriateness of case closures. This role is not only about providing services but also about making a significant impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities, helping them achieve their career aspirations. The work schedule for this position is full-time, with hours from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, including a 30-minute lunch break. There is potential for part-time telework after successfully completing the training period, provided that you have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location within Pennsylvania. The starting salary for this position is competitive, with most employees beginning at the entry level of the advertised salary range.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain referral sources to identify potential vocational rehabilitation customers.
• Determine and coordinate the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to customers.
• Create appropriate vocational goals for each individual.
• Provide counseling and guidance services to customers.
• Assist in job placement for each customer.
• Enter case notes and generate correspondence related to customer cases.
• Prepare case reports and follow up with customers to assess case closure appropriateness.

Requirements

• Successful completion of the commonwealth's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program.
• Possession of an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
• Proof of approval to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification examination, along with completion of a master's degree.
• A master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, business administration, human resources, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Applicants within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree will be considered to have met the educational requirements.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in vocational rehabilitation services.
• Knowledge of job placement strategies for individuals with disabilities.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Benefits

• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Parental leave
• Vacation time
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Sick time
• Retirement plan