Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

The PositionBecome a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and help empower individuals with disabilities to live and work independently in their communities! As part of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, you will apply your understanding and knowledge of vocational rehabilitation services to help the people we serve find and keep gainful employment. This role is part of our Altoona District Office, in Blair County, and serves a caseload coverage area in Center County. We help people discover new paths and build confidence as they work towards their goals. Apply now to experience the satisfaction of public service while enjoying professional career growth and changing lives with us!Description Of WorkThis position focuses on connecting with vocational rehabilitation customers and coordinating comprehensive services to help individuals with disabilities make and achieve employment goals. Work involves gathering information, collaborating with customers and other professionals, and serving as a steady, supportive resource. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, you will perform the following duties:Referral Development: Collaborate and build relationships with community sources in an assigned area to identify potential vocational rehabilitation customersApplicant Interviews: Conduct comprehensive face-to-face interviews with potential customers to gather details about their disabling condition, education and work history, and other relevant dataEligibility Determination: Evaluate data to determine each person's eligibility for vocational rehabilitation based on law and policy, professional judgment, consultation with other professionals, and the customer's participation; explain requirements, rules, rights, and next stepsPlan Coordination: Work with the customer to identify their vocational goals and establish an individualized plan for employment; arrange for and coordinate plan related services and expenditures; monitor, evaluate, and document customer progressJob Counseling: Provide support and help customers develop soft skills, connect with job openings, and develop positive employer relationshipsProgress Documentation: Prepare case records and reports; update notes, service information, and required forms within our web-based system to maintain electronic casefiles.Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.Work Schedule and Additional Information:Full-time employmentWork hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunchTelework: 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 in Altoona. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.Note: The headquarters office location for this position is in Blair County and the caseload coverage area is in Center County.Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538 (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 & EligibilityQualificationsMinimum 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); orPossession of an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification; orProof 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; orA master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related field.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 limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.Examination InformationCompleting the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.Your score is valid for this specific posting only.You must provide complete and accurate information or: your score may be lower than deserved.you may be disqualified.You may only apply/test once for this posting.Your results will be provided via email.