Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - East Central Region

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Duties

• Interview individuals with disabilities to gather detailed information about their work history, medical situation, and more.
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Interpret diagnostic information to determine the needs of the participant.
• Counsel individuals and their families concerning strengths and limitations based upon diagnostic information.
• Counsel individuals toward increased functioning and mutually agreeable vocational goals as well as collaborate with community providers to assist participants in achieving goals.
• Develop comprehensive individualized plans for employment (IPE) for participants.

Requirements

• Highest level of education is a Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, business administration, human resources, economics or related rehabilitation or human services area AND 24 months experience direct work with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center or 24 months providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities).
• OR Master’s degree in in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, or related rehabilitation or human services area.
• OR Master’s degree in business administration, human resources, law, management, public administration or related field which provides competence in the employment sector and/or the field of disability AND 12 months direct work experience with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center) or 12 months experience providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, business administration, human resources, economics or related rehabilitation or human services area.
• Master’s degree in in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, or related rehabilitation or human services area.
• Master’s degree in business administration, human resources, law, management, public administration or related field which provides competence in the employment sector and/or the field of disability.

Skills

• Vocational Rehabilitation
• Counseling and Rehabilitation
• Human Services
• Public Relations
• Budgeting
• Organizing and Planning
• Collaboration
• Time Management
• Intercultural Communication
• Analyzation

Pay

Starting salary will be step 1, subject to law or union contract requirements. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. There are cost of living increases to these rates each year and additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years.

Schedule

Full-time

• Work Hours: 8:00AM - 5:00PM M-F

Benefits

Commensurate with experience.

Agency Contact

Michele DiGrandi, OOD.TalentAcquisition@ood.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

Aug 2, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Work Location

OOD Mansfield BSVI/BVR

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Richland County-Mansfield

Other Locations

• United States of America-OHIO-Wayne County-Wooster
• United States of America-OHIO-Stark County-Canton
• United States of America-OHIO-Mahoning County-Youngstown
• United States of America-OHIO-Muskingum County-Zanesville
• United States of America-OHIO-Licking County-Newark

Compensation

$29.95/hour (unless required by legislation)

Technical Skills

• Budgeting
• Counseling and Rehabilitation
• Human Services
• Public Relations
• Vocational Rehabilitation

Professional Skills

• Analyzation
• Collaboration
• Intercultural Communication
• Organizing and Planning
• Time Management

Agency Overview

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) empowers Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Our agency works with partners in businesses, education, and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; helps Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency determining medical and vocational Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in Ohio. We help connect the people of Ohio who have disabilities with the resources, support, and opportunities that fit their unique needs, abilities, and interests so that they can find and retain meaningful employment. To learn more about what we do, please visit our website at ood.ohio.gov . Follow us on social media @OhioOOD!