Placement Counselor- #ARS01177

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Culpeper (VA); On-site; USD 47,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance options

13 paid holidays

Sick Leave

Job summary

Commonwealth of Virginia is seeking a Placement Counselor to empower individuals with disabilities by guiding them toward meaningful employment. You will provide counseling, job readiness training and placement support while coordinating with employers and community partners to foster successful outcomes.

This position offers a starting minimum salary of $51,861 commensurate with experience, and requires collaboration across teams with occasional flexible hours and telework based on agency

Qualifications

• Training or experience in Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling or Marketing, Business Management, Communication.
• Advanced experience in job placement or workforce development.
• Experience with applicant tracking systems, targeted resume development and follow up and hiring protocols.

Responsibilities

• Provide career counseling, job readiness training and placement support to clients.
• Maintain caseload of students, youth and adults with disabilities.
• Collaborate with employers, community organizations and internal teams to ensure successful job matches and long-term employment outcomes.
• Flexible hours including evenings or weekends as needed.

Skills

Relationship building

Partnership development

Communication

Organizational skills

Microsoft Office

Case management software

Independent work

Team collaboration

Follow-up & documentation

Education

Training in Psychology

Counseling background

Human Services background

Rehabilitation Counseling background

Marketing/Business/Communication exposure

Tools

Microsoft Office

Case management software

Job description

Title: Placement Counselor- #ARS01177

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: Starting minimum $51,861 commensurate with experience.

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

Empower your community by helping Virginians with disabilities achieve meaningful, lasting employment through personalized guidance and impactful employer partnerships. Join our team as a Placement Counselor and make a measurable difference by connecting motivated job seekers with opportunities that transform lives.

Why Join Us?

• Meaningful, mission driven impact
• Collaborative and supportive work culture
• Comprehensive state benefits

Job Duties

“In accordance with the Commonwealth Telework Policy, telework is based on agency business needs.”

In partnership with people with disabilities, the DRS Field Rehabilitation Services Division assists individuals with disabilities to make informed choices that will maximize their employment through coordinated service delivery. DRS staff will assist the Workforce Network to deliver quality workforce services to individuals with disabilities who want to work and employers seeking to hire them.

We are seeking a Placement Counselor responsible for assisting individuals in identifying and securing suitable employment opportunities. This role involves providing career counseling, job readiness training, and placement support to clients. The caseload may consist of students, youth and adults with varying disabilities including, but not limited to serious mental illness, substance abuse, hearing impairments all other disabilities. The Placement Counselor collaborates with employers, community organizations, and internal teams to ensure successful job matches and long-term employment outcomes.

• Employment Services.
• Knowledge of Community Resources.
• Referral and Documentation.
• Community Office-based with occasional travel to job sites, community events, or client meetings.
• May require flexible hours, including evenings or weekends, depending on client needs.

Other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Completes duties and/or projects as needed or directed by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:

Training &/Experience:

• Training and/or experience in Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling or Marketing, Business Management, Communication.
• raining and/or experience in Marketing, Business Management, Communication, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Special Education, and Rehabilitation Counseling.
• Advanced experience in job placement, or workforce development.
• Experience with applicant tracking systems, targeted resume development and follow up and hiring protocols to effectively assist local businesses with developing talent pipeline solutions.

Knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, and apply labor market and business data to inform employment strategies and program development.
• Familiar with current labor market trends, employer needs, and workforce development practices to effectively connect job seekers with business opportunities.
• In-depth understanding of disability services, vocational rehabilitation, and employment support programs.

Ability/Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with employers to identify job opportunities aligned with client skills, interests, and vocational goals.
• Proven success in developing partnerships with local businesses and organizations to expand job placement opportunities and support inclusive hiring practices.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with vocational rehabilitation counselors, case managers, and community partners to coordinate client employment strategies.
• Proficiency in monitoring client progress through consistent follow-up, documentation, and the ability to adjust employment plans based on evolving client needs.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and case management software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Additional Considerations:

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities or other employment barriers.

Special Instructions

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

Benefits:

DARS offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance plan options, flexible spending accounts, VRS retirement, employer paid basic group life insurance, optional employee paid group life insurance, 13 paid holidays, Sick Leave, Annual Leave, Family Personal Leave, employee discount programs, and more.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact [e-mail] for assistance.

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