Title: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Adult/SMI) - #ARS00043

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: Starting minimum $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 our team as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and help empower adults with disabilities and serious mental illness to achieve meaningful employment through personalized guidance, coordinated services, and impactful partnerships across Virginia’s workforce network.

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 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Adult/SMI) to provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance, case management, and comprehensive service delivery to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving competitive integrated employment (CIE). Employee must adhere to all federal and state regulations and agency policies and procedures, including WIOA Title IV requirements. Caseload consists of individuals with disabilities and severe mental illness (SMI).

Other duties/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. Master’s level transcripts or copy of current certification, if applicable, must accompany the application. Please note that the transcripts must display the date that the degree was awarded.

Knowledge:

• Considerable knowledge of the social, economic, medical, vocational, and emotional issues impacting persons with disabilities; interviewing, evaluation, and counseling techniques; methods and tools for career counseling and exploration.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of vocational service delivery to persons with disabilities.

Skills/Abilities:

• Skilled in Windows based computer usage and the ability to learn proprietary software for case management/case documentation purposes.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, co-workers, and the professional community.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple and sometimes unrelated responsibilities in a timely manner; to prioritize duties and exercise responsible judgment with minimal supervision.

Additional Considerations:

• Current CRC credential. 
• Knowledge of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements.
• Experience working with adults with disabilities and severe mental illness.

Special Instructions

Master’s level transcripts or copy of current certification, if applicable, must accompany the application. Please note that the transcripts must display the date that the degree was awarded. Copies of degree are not accepted in lieu of the above.

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

Reasonable accommodation is available during the application/interview process per the ADA. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, 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

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.