Vocational Rehab Counselor-Masters

About the role

This vacancy is within the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Division of Rehabilitation Services. The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Program provides employment‑focused rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities consistent with their strengths, priorities, and resources. Services that reduce or eliminate disability‑related barriers to employment may include counseling and guidance, training, maintenance and transportation, transition services from school to work, personal care assistance, rehabilitation technology services, job placement, post‑employment services, supported employment, and independent living services.

Under the general supervision of a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Region 7 Field Supervisor, the VR Counselor is primarily responsible for providing counseling and guidance services to individuals with disabilities in West Tennessee. Counseling focuses on supporting individuals in achieving their desired career goal and setting a clear path toward that goal. The counselor may help individuals who are unsure whether they want to work, what they want to do, or what skills they can offer employers. Using their education and experience, the VR Counselor connects the person to resources, training, and other support services to prepare them to enter or return to the workforce in the field of their choosing.

Responsibilities

• Utilize case management system to drive case progression; document case work in the case file and meet deadlines for milestones.
• Coordinate services in collaboration with local partners; strengthen relationships to better support customers in achieving employment goals through networking and outreach to the assigned coverage area.
• Maintain consistent contact with customers on caseload; adjust communication frequency as needed.
• Provide information to customers about their career goal, including counseling on areas of interest to narrow a specific job field, requesting evaluations or assessments to identify interests or skills, and reviewing labor market data for trends in the customer’s desired work location.
• Practice person‑centered thinking and planning; employ active listening and collaborative problem solving with the customer.
• Partner with Pre‑Employment Transition Specialists to support young adults transitioning out of high school into the workforce or post‑secondary programs.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling OR
• Master’s or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content emphasizing rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development AND one of the following:
  • Within 90 days of hire, submit an educational plan for approval and apply for admission to an accredited university for enrollment of additional required courses. Within six months of hire, enroll (at own expense) in the following courses per the education plan: Professional Orientation & Ethics in Rehabilitation Counseling, Medical & Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities, Theories & Techniques of Counseling, and satisfactorily complete all within thirty‑six months from date of hire OR
  • Within 90 days of hire, submit a request for a preview (at own expense) to the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) that results in confirmation of eligibility to test for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, and provide official notification from the CRCC OR
  • Hold an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Certification from the CRCC.

Pay

The target range for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor position is $49,176 – $61,548. The directly related experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the selected candidate will determine the actual salary offer.