Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - Northeast Region

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) Position Overview If you are looking for a fulfilling career assisting individuals with disabilities within your community, you are in the right place! As a VRC, you will maintain a caseload of individuals with disabilities who are looking to gain job-related skills and competitive integrated employment (CIE). You will provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) counseling to participants with disabilities and work with their support teams to connect them with related programs, look at labor market information and job opportunities, discuss employment barriers and accommodations, and more. Join our dynamic team and make a real difference in the lives of Ohioans! Candidates with the following certifications are eligible to make $32.69/hour Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW). Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Duties Interview individuals with disabilities to gather detailed information about their work history, medical situation, and more. Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services. Interpret diagnostic information to determine the needs of the participant. Counsel individuals and their families concerning strengths and limitations based upon diagnostic information. Counsel individuals toward increased functioning and mutually agreeable vocational goals as well as collaborate with community providers to assist participants in achieving goals. Develop comprehensive individualized plans for employment (IPE) for participants. A Successful Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Is highly organized with efficient time management skills. Is able to conduct research, analyze technical material and results. Has outstanding public relations and customer service skills. Has excellent interviewing techniques & computer skills. Is able to work collaboratively and develop rapport. Has an understanding of the local labor market. Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities is not an E-Verify employer and will not sponsor applicants for work visas. Bureau Of Vocational Rehabilitation Division Overview OOD’s Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist them to attain and maintain competitive integrated employment. OOD works with adults seeking to enter the workforce or retain a job, and with youth beginning at age 14 to assist them as they transition from high school into college and/or the workplace. For more information view the OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Fact Sheet. Pay Information Starting salary will be step 1, subject to law or union contract requirements. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. There are cost of living increases to these rates each year and additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below. Months of Employment At Hire 6 months 18 months 30 months 42 months 54 Months Pay Range Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 1199 11 Hourly $29.95 $31.34 $32.69 $34.35 $36.01 $37.75 Annual $62,300.58 $65,192.82 $67,999.57 $71,449.04 $74,898.51 $78,518.96 Location Requirements Position availability in the following locations: Akron BSVI/BVR - 172 S. Broadway, Akron, OH 44308 OOD Lakewood (Cleveland) - 14725 Detroit Avenue, Suite 202 Lakewood, Ohio 44107 Our roles are primarily in-office to encourage collaboration and connection, however some locations may have adjusted on-site requirements based on space availability at this time. Reporting details will be provided by the supervisor before the start date. Employees must reside at a location that allows for reasonable response time to workplace reporting requirements. Daytime travel within Ohio may be required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver’s license. Background Check The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. All final applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to complete and pass a urinalysis to test for restricted substances as a condition of employment. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana. An applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year. Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, business administration, human resources, economics or related rehabilitation or human services area AND 24 months experience direct work with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center or 24 months providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities. OR Master’s degree in in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, or related rehabilitation or human services area. OR Master’s degree in business administration, human resources, law, management, public administration or related field which provides competence in the employment sector &/or the field of disability AND 12 months direct work experience with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center) or 12 months experience providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities. Note: Education & experience per Code of Federal Regulations Title 34-Subtitle B-Chapter III-Part 361-Subpart B-361.18 Job Skills Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling and Rehabilitation, Human Services, Public Relations, Budgeting, Organizing and Planning, Collaboration, Time Management, Intercultural Communication, Analyzation Agency Contact Name and Information Vanessa Roach, View email address on click.appcast.io Unposting Date Oct 11, 2026, 11:59:00 PM Primary Location United States of America-OHIO-Cuyahoga County-Lakewood Other Locations United States of America-OHIO-Summit County-Akron Compensation $29.95/hour (unless required by legislation) Schedule Full-time Work Hours 8:00AM - 5:00PM M-F Classified Indicator Classified Technical Skills Budgeting, Counseling and Rehabilitation, Human Services, Public Relations, Vocational Rehabilitation Professional Skills Analyzation, Collaboration, Intercultural Communication, Organizing and Planning, Time Management Agency Overview Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) empowers Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Our agency works with partners in businesses, education, and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; helps Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency determining medical and vocational Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in Ohio. We help connect the people of Ohio who have disabilities with the resources, support, and opportunities that fit their unique needs, abilities, and interests so that they can find and retain meaningful employment. To learn more about what we do, please visit our website at ood.ohio.gov. Follow us on social media @OhioOOD! #J-18808-Ljbffr