Rehabilitation Counselor

Rehabilitation Counselor (S)

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

The position will be housed in the Elizabeth City Office. Will serve people with disabilities. The primary purpose of the Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities is to provide vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabling conditions that results in significant vocational impediment. The services provided are determined and based upon individual need and are provided to enable people with such impediments to enter and/or maintain gainful employment at their highest level of vocational potential.

Job duties will include but not be limited to:

• Evaluate applicants and determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services based on diagnostic and educational data.
• Develop and implement individualized plans for employment (IPE) in collaboration with eligible consumers.
• Provide career counseling, guidance, and job placement assistance tailored to consumer strengths, interests, and limitations.
• Coordinate and monitor the delivery of planned services, including referrals to vocational evaluators, job coaches, and community rehabilitation programs.
• Manage a caseload of people with disabilities, ensuring timely documentation and compliance with agency policies.
• Enter and maintain case records in the Encore system and utilize support staff for administrative tasks.
• Monitor and manage case service budgets, generate authorizations, and process billing to support service delivery.
• Conduct outreach and public relations activities, including employer engagement, job fairs, and community education on vocational rehabilitation services.
• Attend required trainings and contribute to team meetings and unit initiatives to support professional development and agency goals.

Salary Range: $43,267 -$75,718

Recruitment Range: $43,267-$64,000

A trainee is an applicant who has not fully met the education requirements for the position. Salary for a trainee may be set at a lower level than the classification salary range and recruitment range that is listed in the posting with the salary being adjusted up accordingly when the trainee has obtained the necessary additional education and experience to fully meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the classification specification.

Trainee progression:

• 6 months
• 12 months
• 18 months
• Fully Qualified / 24 months

*Salary increases are awarded during progression.

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred.

• Knowledge of or experience in case management
• Knowledge of or experience working with people with disabilities or underserved/marginalized populations
• Knowledge of or experience working within a team setting

*Position is funded in part through federal funds.

*Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours.

*Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date

The DHHS Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) promotes employment and independence for people with disabilities through customer partnership and community leadership. EIPD helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for competitive employment and more independent living in communities statewide.

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for State Benefits