Title: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Adult Caseload) - #ARS00655

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: Minimum $54,730 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

Located in the Shenandoah Valley, close to the Virginia and West Virginia border, Winchester is a small town with a bustling pedestrian mall, charming rural farm markets, and centuries of history. This outdoorsy locale that is close to both the Appalachian Trail and the lower Shenandoah River.

If you enjoy working with others and love Winchester, then come and work for DARS.

Job Duties:

In partnership with persons with disabilities, provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services in compliance with federal/state laws and agency policies/procedures that result in employment and enhanced independent living. Core services may include guidance and counseling, employment training, education, physical/mental restoration, and job placement services. The caseload serves adults with disabilities within the Winchester Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) office service area, which includes Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah and Frederick counties, and the city of Winchester.

We are seeking to hire a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Adult Case Load) to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services in compliance with federal/state laws and agency policies/procedures that result in employment and enhanced independent living. Core services may include guidance and counseling, employment training, education, physical/mental restoration, and job placement services. Caseload consists of adults with disabilities.

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.

Demonstrated 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.

Demonstrated 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.

Additional Considerations:

• Current CRC credential. 
• Knowledge of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements.
• 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.

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.

• 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. PageUp provides a confirmation of receipt when your application is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your PageUp account to check the status of your application for this position. You will be provided 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.