DSHS DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

State of Washington; Kennewick (WA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) seeks a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor at VRC1–VRC3 in-training level. You will provide counseling and case management to help individuals with disabilities explore career options and pursue meaningful employment.

This role emphasizes structured training, supervision, and practical experience to grow toward VRC3, with collaboration across schools, employers, and community partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling or related field (social work, psychology, disability studies, HR, education).
• Acceptance or enrollment in an accredited graduate program for a qualifying master's degree.
• At least one year of paid or unpaid experience in disability services, advocacy, employment support, HR, training, or related work.

Responsibilities

• Provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and case management with appropriate training and supervision.
• Assess customers' strengths, barriers, interests, and goals.
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Help customers develop and carry out Individualized Plans for Employment.
• Arrange and interpret vocational assessments and diagnostic information.
• Support informed choices about training, accommodations, and employment services.
• Monitor progress and adjust employment plans as needs change.
• Coordinate with employers, schools, and community service providers.
• Maintain case records, manage deadlines, and support employment outcomes.

Skills

Counseling methods

Disability-related barriers

informed employment decisions

Case documentation

Relationship building with employers/s

Education

Bachelor's in vocational rehabilitation counseling or related field

Enrollment in qualifying graduate program

1 year of related experience

Job description

Some of What You'll Do

• Provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and case management, with training and supervision appropriate to your level.
• Assess customers' strengths, employment barriers, interests, and goals.
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Help customers develop and carry out Individualized Plans for Employment.
• Arrange and interpret vocational assessments and diagnostic information.
• Support informed choices about training, accommodations, and employment services.
• Monitor progress and adjust employment plans as needs change.
• Coordinate with employers, schools, and community service providers.
• Maintain case records, manage deadlines, and support employment outcomes.

Who Should Apply – Qualifying Pathways

We may consider applicants at the VRC1, VRC2, or VRC3 level.

VRC1 – In-Training

• A bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling or a reasonably related field, such as social work, psychology, disability studies, human resources, or education.
• Acceptance or enrollment in an accredited graduate program leading to a qualifying master's degree.
• At least one year of paid or unpaid experience in disability services, advocacy, employment support, human resources, training, or related work.

VRC2 – In-Training

Meet one of these education or certification pathways:

• Current Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification; or
• A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, counseling, or a related field; or
• A master's degree with the required graduate coursework in counseling and vocational rehabilitation.

And Two years of qualifying paid vocational rehabilitation or related experience. Up to one year may be substituted with qualifying unpaid experience.

VRC3 – Goal Classification

Meet one of the VRC2 education or certification pathways above, plus three years of qualifying paid vocational rehabilitation counseling or related experience.

For the graduate-coursework pathway, the state specifications identify at least 18 quarter or 12 semester credits, including courses in counseling theory and techniques, vocational rehabilitation topics, and assessment, career development, or case management.

Preferred Knowledge and Abilities

• Apply counseling methods to individual customer needs.
• Understand disability-related employment barriers, accommodations, and assistive technology.
• Help customers make informed employment decisions.
• Manage competing priorities and case documentation.
• Build relationships with employers, schools, and community partners.

A person's career shouldn't be defined by the barriers they face.

As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), you'll help students, youth, and adults with disabilities recognize their strengths, explore career options, and work toward meaningful employment. Whether you're building your counseling career or bringing years of experience, your work can help someone see a path forward.

You don't have to start at the highest level to make a difference.

This is a VRC1-VRC3 in-training opportunity, with VRC3 as the goal classification. Depending on your education and experience, you may begin at VRC1, VRC2, or VRC3. Those entering at a training level will develop your skills through structured training, guidance, and practical experience as they work toward VRC3.

We encourage you to apply if you listen well, build trust, and want to help people make informed career decisions. Your background might be in counseling, social work, disability services, education, employment services, or advocacy. What matters is your ability to recognize people's strengths, support their choices, and stay organized while managing responsibilities.

Your first 90 days will depend on your entry level. You'll learn DVR procedures, build relationships, understand local employment resources, and begin working with customers. If you're entering at VRC1 or VRC2, you'll receive training and guidance as you develop your counseling and case management skills.

Success means customers understand their options, have a plan, and receive support as they work toward employment.

There's life outside work to consider, too.

Kennewick offers access to the Columbia River, waterfront parks, and walking and biking trails throughout the Tri-Cities. Sunshine and outdoor recreation are part of the area's appeal, although summers can be hot and the region's spread-out layout makes transportation worth considering.

Still reading? Here's what you'll do.

The Department of Social and Health Services’ vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at [phone]. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.

Relationship and Reporting Structure Disclosure: If you are selected for hire, you must disclose whether you have a relative, household member, close friend, or romantic partner within your potential supervisory chain of command. DSHS has a Relationships and the Reporting Structure policy that prohibits nepotism and can be reviewed here. Applicants whose appointment would result in a prohibited reporting relationship are not eligible for appointment to that position.

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