Title: Rehabilitation Engineer - #ARS00051

State Role Title: Architect/Engineer I

Hiring Range: Anticipated salary $85,000-$101,870 commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs

Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Join a dynamic statewide team where your engineering expertise directly empowers people with disabilities to achieve greater independence and meaningful employment. As our Rehabilitation Engineer, you’ll design innovative, customized solutions—from home and vehicle modifications to cutting‑edge assistive technology—that truly change lives.

Why Join Us?
✅ Purposeful work that strengthens services for Virginians
✅ Engaged, inclusive, and team-oriented environment
✅ Robust and competitive state benefits

Job Duties:

In partnership with people with disabilities, the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) assist 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 for a Rehabilitation Engineer. This position serves as the Rehabilitation Engineer (RE) for the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) / Rehabilitation Technology Services’ (RTS) statewide team. The RE applies a broad and thorough knowledge of engineering or architectural principles, mathematics, physical and applied sciences, properties of materials, and fundamentals of design.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Plans, designs and coordinates engineering projects of varying types and complexity.
• Drafts, designs, details and modifies engineering plans.
• Reviews materials prepared by agency vendors for compliance with codes and policies to maximize the efficiency of each project.
• Advises internal and external contacts on engineering or architectural design, development and agency standards and projects.
• Applies knowledge of principles of project management to administer projects/activities.
• Uses concepts and principles of negotiation to achieve program/project objectives.

Assistive Technology & Interdisciplinary Services:

The RE provides (in collaboration with clients, family members, DARS staff, vendors and other professionals as appropriate) comprehensive interdisciplinary technology assessments and customized AT services, which may include: home modification consults, vehicle modification consults, worksite consults, ergonomic workstation assessments and other customized rehabilitation engineering and fabrication to maximize employability/independence of persons with disabilities. Serves on the statewide interdisciplinary RTS Team and coordinates AT services with other RTS members in corresponding districts/generalized regions.

Mobile Rehabilitation Services (MRE)

The RE provides Mobile Rehabilitation Services (MRE) to agency clients and community partners. MRE services are provided statewide and include project design, adaptive technology purchase and installation and custom design and fabrication where off the shelf solutions are unavailable. This person will actively participate in activities that promote quality services to the clients we serve. Oversees maintenance and determines needs of RE shop. Assigns tasks and monitors/assesses work of mobile Rehabilitation Engineering staff working in coverage areas. The RE will support the evaluation process and job placement services through assistive technology and worksite assessment and intervention. Frequent in-state travel to support RTS program projects and client needs. The RE position must access personally identifiable and confidential information about agency consumers and/or agency staff and must adhere to all agency standards to adhere to confidentiality.

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

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge/Experience:

• Training and experience in engineering.
• Working knowledge of adaptive equipment and computers.
• Experience in working with persons with disabilities.
• Extensive experience working with IWD.
• Working knowledge of fabrication techniques, and engineering skills of drafting and/or prototyping equipment.

Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated skills in assessing complex disability issues related to independence and vocational potential.
• Demonstrated ability to install adaptive equipment in various environments, including customer homes and worksites.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Additional Considerations:

• Vocational Rehabilitation and Assistive Technology knowledge and/or experience.

Special Instructions

• 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.

Benefits:

DARS offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance plan options, flexible spending accounts, VRS retirement, employer paid basic group life insurance, optional employee paid group life insurance, 13 paid holidays, Sick Leave, Annual Leave, Family Personal Leave, employee discount programs, and more.

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.