Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

THE POSITION

Do you want to combine your passion for helping others with your knowledge and understanding of vocational rehabilitation services? Find a home for you talents in this Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor position with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. With our team, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge by coordinating and providing services that help Pennsylvania residents with disabilities identify career goals, then gain the skills and training they need to achieve these goals and thrive independently in their communities. If you are interested in experiencing the satisfaction of public service while enjoying professional career growth, the Department of Labor and Industry wants to hear from you!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

In the role of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, you will focus on determining and creating the appropriate vocational goals for each individual, providing counseling and guidance services, and assisting in job placement for each customer. This includes developing and maintaining referral sources to ensure potential vocational rehabilitation customers are identified, as well as determining and coordinating the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to customers for customers within your assigned type of caseload and area of coverage. Work involves combining your knowledge of vocational rehabilitation methods, the functional needs of persons with specific conditions, and the physical demands of more common occupations to collaborate with each customer in creating an individualized plan to identify and achieve their employment goals.

Your responsibilities will involve gathering customer information, determining each person's eligibility for services, and explaining program processes and requirements. You will also liaise with agency resources to coordinate planned services and job placements, as well as arrange for and approve standard expenditures. Our team will also rely on you to evaluate and document customer progress, communicating with clients to make appropriate rehabilitation plan amendments that will enhance their opportunities for success as needed.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday. Work hours are negotiable - 7.5 hour workday and lunch period is 30 minutes or 60 minutes depending on work hours. The selected candidate may be eligible for Alternate Work Schedules.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, after successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $59,345 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program or the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• A master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related field; or
• Possession of an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification; or
• Proof of approval to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification examination, provided by the CRCC, and completion of a master's degree.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clear