Title: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Adult) - #ARS00515

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: Starting Salary $71,309 commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: NV 4

Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs

Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs (NOVA)

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

If making a real impact on the lives of clients energizes you, we want you on our team! We’re hiring a Counselor II—giving qualified candidates options that fit their experience. Join a mission‑driven organization, work with a supportive and inclusive team, and enjoy outstanding state benefits.

Why Join Us?
✅ Impactful public service that drives positive outcomes
✅ Inclusive, professional, and highly supportive teams
✅ Exceptional state benefits and work life balance

Job Duties:

“In accordance with the Commonwealth Telework Policy, telework is limited based on agency business needs.”

In partnership with people with disabilities, the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), a division of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), assists individuals with disabilities in making informed choices that maximize their employment opportunities through coordinated service delivery. DRS staff support the Virginia Career Works Network in delivering quality workforce services to individuals with disabilities who want to work, as well as to employers seeking to hire them.

We are seeking a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Adult) 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.


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

This position serves a caseload of primarily adults with disabilities in the Fairfax County, Alexandria City, and Arlington region, averaging approximately 130–160 individuals.

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.

Special Instructions:

Master’s or bachelor'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 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 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 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.