Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

About the role

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Job Duties

• Making constant efforts to explain the scope and range of vocational rehabilitation services to potential consumers and to potential referrals sources to include ophthalmologists, optometrists and Departments of Social Services within the counties served
• Completing the application and preliminary assessment process that includes initial interview and diagnostic study
• Determining consumer eligibility for services and engaging in Individualized Employment Plan [IPE] development after assisting in setting a job goal that is commensurate with consumer abilities, capabilities and interests
• Congnidering or authorizing services to promote consumer employment
• Job development and placement are provided and/or coordinated by the counselor in accordance with consumer job goal
• Outreach is to be executed in efforts to connect with, educate and re-educate eye care providers and to improve the numbers of appropriate referrals to the agency from various sources in the community
• Case Finding/Plan Development/Provision of Services is to be executed with appropriate referrals in accordance with federal eligibility criteria

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

This is a repost Prior applicants will remain under consideration and do not need to reapply. Salary Grade Range $43,267 - $75,718 Recruitment Range $43,267 - $64,000 Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours** Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: Knowledge of or experience in case management.Knowledge of or experience working with people with disabilities.Knowledge of or experience working with a team of professionals to help a client meet a goal.

Physical Requirements

Light work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. The use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

About the NC Division of Services for the Blind (DSB)

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf-blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.

Compensation & Benefits

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

About the NC Division of Services for the Blind (DSB)

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf-blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.

Recruitment Range

Salary Grade Range $43,267 - $75,718 Recruitment Range $43,267 - $64,000 Position is eligible for a hybrid-teleworking schedule to include weekly onsite work hours** Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: Knowledge of or experience in case management.Knowledge of or experience working with people with disabilities.Knowledge of or experience working with a team of professionals to help a client meet a goal.

Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.