VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR - MASTERS - 08182026- 80066

Location: Nashville, TN – Department of Human Services, Davidson County (hybrid position).

About the Role

Under the general supervision of a Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Blind Services Field Supervisor, the VR Counselor provides counseling and guidance services to individuals with vision loss in Middle Tennessee, primarily serving customers in Davidson, Sumner, Wilson, Maury, Perry, and surrounding counties.

Responsibilities

• Collects customer's medical and psychological information and determines eligibility for services.
• Monitors local labor market trends to facilitate effective job placement and maximize employment outcomes.
• Conducts assessments to evaluate customer's skills, abilities, occupational interests, and goals.
• Reviews assessment data to identify appropriate goals and opportunities and directs customers toward suitable employment.
• Uses counseling and guidance to interpret and explain medical, psychological, and vocational information to customers, empowering them to make informed decisions about their goals.
• Collaborates with customers to develop and implement personalized rehabilitation and employment plans aligned with their vocational goals.
• Evaluates customer progress and employment readiness, amending plans as needed to ensure successful outcomes.
• Arranges appointments, training sessions, and assessments to facilitate customer participation in vocational programs.
• Requests authorizations for services and ensures vendors receive payment.
• Investigates complaints to resolve customer and employer concerns.
• Documents customer data, processes case expenditures, and monitors case progress in case management systems.
• Educates employers and the public on rehabilitation services and the employment of individuals with disabilities, promoting qualified applicants to employers.
• Cultivates professional relationships with internal staff, vendors, school systems, agencies, institutions, employers, and community organizations to identify potential applicants or available resources and promote rehabilitation services.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling OR Master’s or doctoral degree in a related field with course content emphasizing rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development.
• Within 90 days of hire, must submit an educational plan for approval and apply for admission to an accredited university for enrollment in additional required courses. Within six months of hire, must enroll (at their own expense) in the following courses and complete them within 36 months:
  • Professional Orientation & Ethics in Rehabilitation Counseling
  • Medical & Psychosocial Aspects of Disabilities
  • Theories & Techniques of Counseling
• OR within 90 days of hire, submit a request for a pre-review (at their own expense) to the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) confirming eligibility to test for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification and provide official notification from CRCC.
• OR hold an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification from CRCC.
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form and agree to release all records involving criminal history to the appointing authority.
• Supply a fingerprint sample for a TBI-based criminal history records check.
• Possess a valid motor vehicle operator’s license at the time of appointment (required for some positions).
• Provide a transcript at the time of application verifying degree and courses completed.

Skills & Competencies

• Competencies: Decision Quality, Resourcefulness, Communicates Effectively, Instills Trust, Situational Adaptability.
• Knowledge Areas: Customer and Personal Service, Active Learning and Listening, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.
• Abilities: Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Problem Sensitivity, Originality.
• Tools & Equipment: General office equipment, computer/laptop/tablet, multifunction printer (print/copy/scan/fax), cell phone.

Pay

Monthly: $4,057.00 – $5,078.00
Annual: $48,684.00 – $60,936.00

Schedule

Full-time.