Title: Placement Counselor - #ARS00999

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: Anticipated salary is $48,648 commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs

Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs

Agency Website:  https://www.dars.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Do you enjoy supporting others, working with a passionate and successful team, then this is the job for you! 

Come and join our team!

Job Duties:

In partnership with people with disabilities, the DRS Field Rehabilitation Services Division assists individuals with disabilities to make informed choices that will maximize their employment through coordinated service delivery. DRS staff will assist the Workforce Network to deliver quality workforce services to individuals with disabilities who want to work and employers seeking to hire them to the extent that this provides benefit to the DRS program.

We are seeking a Placement Counselor to comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services which result in employment and enhanced independent living in compliance with federal, state, and agency policy and procedures. Core case management services may include guidance and counseling, employer engagement/cultivation, Pre-Employment Services and Counseling, Job readiness training services and job placement services. Caseload may consist of Students, youth, and adults with varying disabilities including, but not limited to serious mental illness, substance abuse, hearing impairment and all other disabilities.

Minimum Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:

Knowledge/Experience-

• Working knowledge of marketing concepts and promotional techniques. 
• Knowledge of various software programs such as spreadsheet, word processing, desktop publishing, and database management as applicable to marketing programs.
• Use of the Internet for the purpose of employment outcomes.
• Knowledge of current sources and use of career, occupational, and employment formation in providing labor market information to both counselors and candidates.

Skills/Abilities -

• Ability to establish effective working relationships among diverse professionals, constituents, and advocates. 
• Ability to collaborate with Business leaders to identify job openings and to promote the benefit of career development and placement services.

Additional Considerations:

• Some knowledge of human service delivery systems and the vocational rehabilitation process.

Special Instructions:

• This has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2-1201.1. 
• A fingerprint-based criminal history check will be required of the finalist candidate.
• The selected candidate must complete a Statement of Personal Economic Interests as a condition of employment (Va. Code § 2.2-3114).

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, Americorp, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Email: Recruitment@dars.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.