Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

THE POSITION

Do you want to make a lasting, positive difference by applying your knowledge and understanding of vocational rehabilitation services to assist individuals with disabilities in obtaining gainful employment? Achieve your goals in this Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor role with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services. As part of our dedicated team, you will help Pennsylvania residents with disabilities identify career goals and gain the skills and training they need to live and work 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 invites you to apply!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, you will work within an assigned type of caseload and coverage area to coordinate and determine the delivery of vocational rehabilitation services to customers, as well as collaborate across teams to develop and maintain referral sources that ensure potential vocational rehabilitation customers are identified. We will also rely on you to help determine and create the appropriate vocational goals for each individual, provide counseling and guidance services, and assist in job placement for each customer. Work involves gathering customer information, determining each person's eligibility for services, explaining program processes and requirements, and working with customers to develop individualized plans. This includes communicating and establishing working relationships with agency resources to coordinate planned services, as well as arranging for and approving equipment, services, and other plan-related expenditures.

Your responsibilities will also involve evaluating and documenting customer process, providing counseling to support each customer's movement toward job placement, and advocating to help enhance each person's opportunities for success. This opportunity will combine your knowledge of casework principles and methods; the functional realities and vocational implications of specific disabilities; and the demands and nature of common occupations to enhance the opportunity for customer success.

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