Title: Career Assessment Counselor - #ARS00558

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: Starting Salary $56,372 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

"Join DARS in the Capitol District (offices in Richmond, Petersburg, Chesterfield, Farmville, and Fredericksburg) and help adults with disabilities build brighter futures by connecting them to meaningful employment right here in our community. As a Career Assessment Counselor, you’ll provide hands‑on guidance, evaluation, and support that opens doors to independence and opportunity."

Why Join Us?
✅ Purpose-driven work
✅ Inclusive, supportive teams
✅ Great state benefits

Job Duties:

In partnership with people with disabilities, the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) assists individuals with disabilities to make informed choices that will maximize their employment through coordinated service delivery. DRS staff will assist the Virginia Career Works Network to deliver quality workforce services to individuals with disabilities who want to work and employers seeking to hire them.

We are seeking a Career Assessment Counselor to assess the vocational potential of persons with disabilities. Career Assessment Counselors help individuals with disabilities identify their strengths, aptitudes and interests. They provide guidance on training, job placement, and workplace accommodations to support successful and sustainable employment, while also assisting and collaborating with Vocational Rehabilitation counselors to ensure comprehensive services and positive outcomes. 

Other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
Completes duties and/or projects as needed or directed by supervisor

Minimum Qualifications

In accordance with 34 CFR 361.10, 34 CFR 361.11, and Virginia’s Combined State Plan under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), applicants are required to have a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a closely related field. Applicants within a semester of completing their master's may also be considered. Transcripts must accompany the application, and they must display the date that the degree was awarded.

Current CRC or CVE credential or ability to sit for the CRC/CVE.

Knowledge

• Considerable knowledge of the social, economic, medical, and psychological issues impacting persons with disabilities: interviewing, evaluation, and counseling techniques; methods, tools, observations for career counseling and exploration; ADA compliance requirements. 
• Consider knowledge of a broad range of occupations and occupational requirements, the regional employment market, educational opportunities and job analysis techniques. 
• Working knowledge of test and measurements, validity, reliability, and statistical procedures.
  

Skills:

• Skilled in Windows based computer usage and the ability to learn proprietary software for assessments and case management purposes.

Abilities:

• Ability to select, administer, interpret and develop logical recommendations from assessment tools/techniques and work samples which address academic achievement levels, aptitudes, interests, physical abilities, and related knowledge, skills, and abilities. 
• Ability to interpret results and develop logical, meaningful recommendations regarding the vocational rehabilitation needs of clients and make valid independent decisions and observations regarding a client’s potential to successfully function in a job placement and/or training program. 
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, co-workers and professional community. 
• Ability to organize and manage multiple responsibilities in a timely manner, to prioritize duties and exercise responsible judgement with minimal supervision. 
• Ability to administer, interpret, and report on standardized career and aptitude assessments.
  
  

Additional Considerations:

• Knowledge of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity ACT (WIOA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements. 
• Assessment and/or counseling experience directly related to assisting individuals with diverse disabilities to achieve employment.

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).

Benefits:

DARS offers a comprehensive benefits package to include your choice of health insurance plans, flexible spending accounts, VRS retirement, employer paid basic group life insurance, employee paid optional group life, 13 paid holidays, Sick Leave, Annual Leave, Family Personal Leave, employee discount programs, and much more!

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 confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé are 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

Phone: 804-662-7003

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.