Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Community Health Action of Staten Island (CHASI ) drives dramatic improvements in the health of New Yorkers by feeding people who are hungry, healing families broken apart by violence, and bridging the gaps between people and the compassionate health care they deserve. CHASI provides outreach, education, prevention, and direct support services for populations most affected by health disparities – people with low or no income, low-income people with chronic illnesses, people with criminal justice involvement, people who use drugs, domestic violence survivors, people of color, and the LGBTQ community.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Next Step Resource and Recovery Center opportunities for people in all stages and forms of recovery to deliver and attend individual and group support activities, initiate, and conduct outreach, and events celebrating recovery and reducing stigma associated with substance use. The Center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and hosts several services including Recovery Center peer-driven individual and group recovery services, counseling and case management, overdose prevention services, harm reduction, and recovery-oriented community outreach, education, and the Training Institute at CHASI.

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor serves as a key member of the Next Step team, providing comprehensive vocational rehabilitation support to individuals in SUD treatment or recovery, ensuring they successfully obtain and retain employment aligned with their documented, person-centered employment goals. This includes employment assessments, individual and group employment counseling, vocational planning, job search assistance, job development within the community including outreach and presentations to facilitate understanding of the participants served to our local businesses, and recovery support services to participants. The Vocational Counselor works collaboratively with our Peer Training Institute, Workforce Development, and community partners to support participant engagement and continuity of care.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a caseload of 25 participants
• Deliver ongoing, individualized and group vocational counseling to help participants navigate employment pathways.
• Assist individuals in identifying, developing, and pursuing person-centered employment goals.
• Conduct employment readiness assessments, guiding clients through skill-building career planning, and job placement activities.
• Develop individualized action plans and treatment recommendations using trauma-informed and person-centered approaches
• Provide 1:1 employment counseling to establish clear employment benchmarks, including: Work-related activities, Work readiness evaluation, Employment status tracking, Community referrals for pre-employment skill development, resume building, job search assistance, and interview preparation.
• Facilitate job placement services, including referral coordination within the community.
• Maintain ongoing follow-up to support clients in securing and sustaining employment.
• Work in partnership with the OASAS SUD Job Developer to enhance job opportunities.
• Build relationships with local businesses and workforce programs within the economic development zone to expand employment pathways.
• Assist employers in understanding business engagement strategies related to workforce development.
• Stay updated on labor market trends to guide clients toward viable employment opportunities
• Offer in-person and virtual employment counseling for individuals and groups.
• Utilize social networking and internet research techniques for job placement.
• Ensure consistent, structured communication between employment counselors, job developers, and placement providers.
• Meet with the NYS OASAS job development and technical assistance liaison at least monthly
• Attend all trainings identified by the NYS OASAS’ job development and technical assistance liaison and CHASI
• Collaboratively work with the NYS OASAS job development and technical assistance liaison on job development and relevant exchange of information.
• Perform all functions in alignment with CHASI’s Mission, Vision, and Core Values
• Other duties as requested or at the needs of the program and/or agency

The above is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions, and the essential requirements for the performance of the job; it is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of all the job functions.

Department: Behavioral Health

Reports To: Vocational Rehabilitation Coordinator

Location: 56 Bay Street, 1st Floor, Staten Island, NY 10301

Position Status: Full Time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Pay & Benefits: The pay range for this role is generally $60,000–$65,000 annually, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. Additionally, we offer an excellent benefits package that includes generous paid time off (4 weeks of vacation plus paid holidays, personal, and sick time), medical, dental, vision, supplemental benefits including employer provided basic life insurance and employee assistance programs, tuition reimbursement and fitness reimbursement after 1 year of employment, a retirement plan that includes employer matching, and more!

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling or a related human services field.
• VR Certified Counselor status, CASAC, LMSW, LMHC, LCSW, or another relevant professional credential recognized by New York State.
• Two years of experience providing vocational or employment services for individuals in recovery.
• Familiarity with harm reduction, trauma-informed care, and motivational interviewing practices.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic documentation systems.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.
• Current certifications, licenses, or credentials recognized by NYS OASAS or NYSED.
• Bilingual Spanish proficiency.

CHASI is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring and supporting a diverse staff. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, disability or marital status.