Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee (UMP)

Job Requisition ID: 59261 
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
Closing Date: 10/20/2026
Agency:  Department of Human Services
Class Title:  REHABILITATION COUNSELOR TRAINEE - 38159 
Skill Option:  Vocational Rehab- Credential / Rehab. Counselor Trainee  
Bilingual Option:  Manual Communication (Sign)
Salary:  Anticipated Salary: $5,328-$7,480/month ($63,936-$89,760/year) + bilingual pay
Job Type:  Salaried
Category:  Full Time  
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:  RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code: 
Work Hours : Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm, 1 hour unpaid lunch
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability : It is required that a person reports to the headquarters on this job position as necessary (could be weekly, monthly, or other schedule) dependent on operational need
Headquarter Location : 1010 Dixie Hwy, Chicago Heights, Illinois, 60411

Division of Rehabilitation Services

Bureau of Customer and Community Field Services

Region 1 South

Work County : Cook
Agency Contact : View email address on us.fitly.work  

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This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

While not required, a Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) is recommended. When applicable, titles that require specific coursework, professional license or certification will include a notation requesting the appropriate document(s) be uploaded in the  Additional Documents section of your application. Failure to upload requested transcripts, license and/or proof of certification when specified may result in ineligibility. Please note that the Department of Human Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) regardless of vacancy title before any offer can be extended.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the state’s lead division serving people with disabilities committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and racial justice. The mission of the Division is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals of employment, education, and independent living. This position coordinates customer case records and documents in a field office pertaining to the service delivery activities to customers in the Bureau of Customer and Community Field Services/Vocational Rehabilitation Program. The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee position will receive formal and informal training not to exceed twelve (12) months to learn the rules, regulations, and policies of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program to ultimately manage a caseload providing services to individuals with disabilities to gain competitive integrated employment. This position requires the use of manual communication skills in working with individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or Deafblind. The Division of Rehabilitation Services is seeking to hire a self-motivated and detail-oriented individual with good communication skills. 

Essential Functions

• Serves as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months, receives formal and informal orientation in the principles, techniques, procedures, and policies related to rehabilitating persons with disabilities in a general vocational rehabilitation, transition, Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP), or specialty caseload. 
• Studies and becomes proficient in utilizing the Division’s case management system.
• Travels to attend and participate in staff meetings, conferences, workshops, and in-service training related to the discipline of rehabilitation counseling.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires possession of a Master’s Degree from a college or university program accredited by the Council On Rehabilitation Education (CORE). OR A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation administration, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, deaf education, special education, or a closely related field.
• Requires the ability to pass the sign language assessment at the advanced level.

*Qualifying state employees, in the employee Upward Mobility Program, may complete combinations of specific proficiency tests and training programs leading to a certificate of proficiency in lieu of the stated requirements for this class.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel, with overnight stay as appropriate .

*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being for everyone in Illinois. Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.

As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Benefit time modified for part-time, 12-hour, & non-standard work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: 

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP) . General Program information can be found by clicking on the link or for specific title information at .  To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission . UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Detailed application instructions can be found in the Current Employee Guide at or by logging in to the for State employees and viewing the instructions on .

Non-State employees: Detailed application instructions can be found in the External Applicant Guide at or from – click in the footer of every page of the website.

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of the posting to begin the application process. If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.

State employees should sign in via the Employee Login link in the top right of the homepage in the blue ribbon to sign in to their career portal. 

Non-State employees should click the Sign Up link in the top right of the homepage in the blue ribbon to sign in to an existing external account or to create a new external account.

State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• View email address on us.fitly.work
• View email address on us.fitly.work