Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor role empowers individuals with disabilities to live and work independently by connecting them with vocational rehabilitation services. Based in the Altoona District Office (Blair County) with caseload coverage in Center County, this position helps customers discover new paths and build confidence as they work toward employment goals.

Responsibilities

• Referral Development: Collaborate and build relationships with community sources to identify potential vocational rehabilitation customers.
• Applicant Interviews: Conduct comprehensive face-to-face interviews to gather details about disabling conditions, education, work history, and other relevant data.
• Eligibility Determination: Evaluate data to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation based on law, policy, professional judgment, and customer participation; explain requirements, rights, and next steps.
• Plan Coordination: Work with customers to identify vocational goals and establish individualized employment plans; arrange and coordinate services and expenditures; monitor, evaluate, and document progress.
• Job Counseling: Provide support, help develop soft skills, connect customers with job openings, and foster positive employer relationships.
• Progress Documentation: Prepare case records and reports; update notes, service information, and required forms in the web-based system to maintain electronic case files.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program or the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Possession of an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification; or
• Proof of approval to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification examination, provided by the CRCC, and completion of a master’s degree; or
• A master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related field.

Applicants within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree will be considered to have met the educational requirements.

Requirements

• Ability to perform essential job functions.
• Conditional offer of employment requires submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports, including PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance (under the Child Protective Services Law).

Schedule

• Full-time employment, typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Opportunity for part-time telework after successful completion of the training period, subject to change. Telework requires a securely configured high-speed internet connection and an approved location within Pennsylvania. If unable to telework, reporting to the Altoona headquarters office is required.

Headquarters office is located in Blair County; caseload coverage area is in Center County.

Pay

Starting annual salary of $60,538 (before taxes) for candidates new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.