Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor / Trainee (RCD) - ($2,500 Sign-On Bonus) - #ARS00281

Title: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor / Trainee (RCD) - ($2,500 Sign-On Bonus) - #ARS00281

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: Please see notation within job description.

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs

Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs

Agency Website: https://www.dars.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties:

This position is located in Abingdon, Virginia. ($2,500 Sign-On Bonus).

The Department of Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) is seeking a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor / Trainee (RCD) to provides comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services and pre-employment transition services (Pre-ETS) in compliance with federal/state laws and agency policies/procedures, which result in employment and enhanced independent living, and in successful transitions of students with disabilities to postsecondary life.

Core services may include guidance and counseling, employment training, education, physical/mental restoration, and job placement services. The incumbent in this position will work out of our DRS Abingdon Office, which provides services to individuals (students and adults) who are deaf and hard of hearing across the Southwest District, serving the DRS coverage area from the Abingdon, Christiansburg, Norton, Pounding Mill and Wytheville offices.

The agency has the option of filling this job at the Counselor I (Trainee) level if fully qualified applicants are interviewed and not selected. The minimum for a Counselor I (Trainee) is $47,231. The minimum for a Counselor II (fully qualified) is $53,136.

Minimum Qualifications:

In accordance with 34 CFR 361.10, 34 CFR 361.11, and Virginia’s Combined State Plan under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), applicants are required to have a Masters’ degree in order to be qualified for this position. Applicants within a semester of completing their master's may also be considered.

Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or closely related field required. Applicants who are within a semester of completion of a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a closely related field will be considered if the application is accompanied by a transcript that verifies the anticipated graduation date. To be considered as a Counselor I (Trainee), individuals must have a bachelor’s degree in a human services or related field and applicable work experience. An individual hired as a Counselor Trainee will be required to sign a Conditions of Employment and must enroll within six months of being hired in an academic program to obtain a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a closely related field.

Fluency in American Sign Language.

Demonstrated knowledge of the social, economic, medical, vocational, and emotional issues impacting students, youth, and adults with disabilities.

Additional Considerations:

Demonstrated knowledge of interviewing, evaluation, and counseling techniques; methods and tools for career counseling and exploration and the principles and practices of vocational service delivery to students with disabilities age 14-22. Knowledge of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements. Skilled in Windows based computer usage and the ability to learn proprietary software for case management/case documentation purposes.

Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, co-workers, and the professional community. Demonstrated knowledge of the principles and practices of vocational service delivery to persons with disabilities. Current CRC credential preferred.

Special Instructions:

Master’s level transcripts or copy of current certification, if applicable, must accompany the application. Please note that the transcripts must display the date that the degree was awarded.

• This has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2-1201.1.
• A fingerprint-based criminal history check will be required of the finalist candidate.
• The selected candidate must complete a Statement of Personal Economic Interests as a condition of employment (Va. Code § 2.2-3114).

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, Americorp, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Email: Recruitment@dars.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.