Rehabilitation Counselor

Rehabilitation Counselor (NS)

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 primary purpose of the Rehabilitation Counselor is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their career and independent living goals by providing counseling, developing individualized plans, and coordinating services to help clients overcome barriers to their disabilities and/or obtain and maintain gainful employment. Job responsibilities include the following:

• Evaluating professional diagnostic data to determine eligibility and required rehabilitation services
• Develop a written plan of services in conjunction with the consumer, parent and/or guardian
• Provide rehabilitation services within the context of a guidance and counseling relationship and provide supportive counseling
• Monitor the consumer's progress throughout the service delivery process
• Work directly with community partners in order to assist individuals with disabilities in becoming suitably employed
• Document service delivery and case progress in the case management system as required by agency policy

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

Recruitment Range: $57,000 - $67,606

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

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.

Position is funded in part through federal funds.

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

Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application to support your answers. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of their DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.

Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from an appropriately accredited institution; OR a master's degree in a related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; or current certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.