Rehab Counselor II - Augusta

State-of-Maine; Augusta (ME); On-site; USD 52,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maine State Government is hiring a Rehabilitation Counselor II to serve adult clients with disabilities in Knox and Lincoln counties from the Augusta office. This full-time role focuses on developing individualized rehabilitation plans and placing clients in meaningful employment, with strong collaboration with partners and a client-centered approach.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2 years of relevant experience, with travel across the region and the ability

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a field related to vocational rehabilitation and 2 years of experience assisting individuals with disabilities, employers and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Establishing a counseling relationship with consumers.
• Contacting business groups, advocating for clients, and assisting with job placement.
• Building partnerships within the workforce development system.
• Evaluating medical/psychological information to develop a rehabilitation plan leading to employment.
• Maintaining documentation using the AWARE system.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Time management

Team player

Travel locally

Knowledge of labor market

Education

Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation or related field

Job description

Rehabilitation Counselor II

Job Class Code: 3082 Grade: 22 (Professional/Technical) Salary: $25.23 - $32.28 (Hourly- includes a 2% stipend) Location: Augusta, ME Opening Date: September 3, 2026 Closing Date: September 18, 2026 Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

Do you enjoy helping others achieve their goals? Are you a professional seeking an opportunity to work in a supportive team environment? Are you a skilled communicator who enjoys thinking creatively, having autonomy in your work, and developing strong partnerships? Are you able to effectively organize and prioritize multiple tasks and manage details successfully? If so, the Rehabilitation Counselor II position may be a great match for you!

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation seeks qualified candidates for a full-time Rehabilitation Counselor II position. The candidate selected for this position will work from the Vocational Rehabilitation office co-located with the Augusta CareerCenter. This professional will serve adult clients with various disabilities in Knox and Lincoln counties to achieve their employment goals and conduct extensive work with partners including individuals with disabilities, families, employers, Clubhouse, and community providers.

Learn more about the role of a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6pVu-TT8Rs After a conditional offer of employment is made, certain positions may be subject to fingerprinting as part of the background process given the responsibilities of the RCII position.

Primary responsibilities

• Establishing a counseling relationship and partnership with consumers.
• Contacting business and industry groups, advocating for clients, and offering incentives and assistance to place clients in jobs.
• Building partnerships within the workforce development system.
• Evaluating and interpreting medical and psychological information, then assessing client needs and available resources to develop and implement a comprehensive rehabilitation plan leading to employment.
• Maintaining accurate documentation using AWARE computer-based client data system.

Skills or knowledge required

• Strategies to effectively work remotely.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.
• Flexibility and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of the local labor market.
• Ability to work well as a member of a team.
• Excellent prioritization, organization and time management skills.
• Detail-oriented documentation.
• Frequent local and occasional statewide travel.

Minimum qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in a field related to vocational rehabilitation and 2 years of experience demonstrating knowledges and abilities in assisting individuals with disabilities, employers and other stakeholders with their employment and workforce needs.

Contact information: Questions about this position should be directed to Samantha Fenderson, [e-mail]

Benefits of working for the State of Maine: No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:
Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.
Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,857.68-$13,950.24 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes 14.06% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave.
Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.
State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

There’s a job and then there’s purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying? Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your experience and passion set you apart.

About Us Join Maine State Government and Make a Difference in Your Community If you're looking for a fulfilling career that allows you to serve the public and make a difference, consider working with Maine State Government! Our departments boast an array of professions, including attorneys, biologists, correctional officers, equipment operators, engineers, human resources professionals, information technology experts, law enforcement officers, nurses, park rangers, social workers, and transportation workers. With more than 100 agencies, boards, and offices, Maine State Government is the perfect place to explore various industries and interests. Whether you're interested in finance or forestry, there's an opportunity for you to help make Maine an even better place to live.