Rehabilitation Counselor

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 51,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Fargo is seeking a full-time Rehabilitation Counselor to support veterans within the Mental Health Integrated Care Community Service Line. This role requires a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and current CRC certification.

Responsibilities include advocating for health systems, coordinating assessments, providing vocational services and therapeutic interventions, and working closely with interdisciplinary teams to enhance care for veterans.

Please apply if you are committed to improving the lives of those with disabilities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from an accredited program.
• Current certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for the Whole Health System of care.
• Coordinate assessments, counseling, and rehabilitation planning.
• Deliver vocational and therapeutic work services.

Skills

Knowledge of human development and behavior

Ability to synthesize assessment information

English language proficiency

Education

Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling

Certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor

Job description

Summary

The Fargo VA Health Care System is recruiting for 1 full‑time Rehabilitation Counselor for the Mental Health Integrated Care Community Service Line.

Qualifications

• Health Professional Trainee (HPT) applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.
• Basic Requirements:
  • United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA policy.
  • Education
    • (1) A master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
    • If the applicant’s degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education.
    • (2) A master’s degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
    • (3) A master’s or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that emphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA.
    • (4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
  • Certification
    • Current full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling.
    • Exceptions for Graduate RCs
      • (a) RC graduates from an approved counseling or rehabilitation counseling program who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and the additional degree requirements for CRC certification by the CRCC may be appointed as a graduate RC on a full‑time temporary appointment not to exceed two years.
      • (b) Graduate RCs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted or converted until certification is obtained.
      • (c) Temporary graduate RC appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.
  • English Language Proficiency
    • Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f).
  • Grade Determinations (GS‑9)
    • Experience: None beyond the basic requirements.
    • Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
      • (a) Knowledge of human development and behavior – medical, psychosocial, and vocational aspects of disability and the differential influences of environmental factors to assist persons with disabilities in determining suitable vocational goals.
      • (b) Knowledge of history, philosophy, and disability rights legislation in the field of rehabilitation to apply in the practice of rehabilitation counseling.
      • (c) Ability to synthesize assessment and diagnosis information in conjunction with labor market trends and community/educational resources to develop an effective individual service delivery plan.
      • (d) Knowledge of caseload management strategies to maximize an individual’s independent functioning from assessment through post‑employment services.
      • (e) Ability to employ person‑centered job development strategies to facilitate successful job placement.
      • (f) Knowledge of assessment tools and methods – functional capacity evaluations and specific vocational preparation to evaluate transferable skills, residual capacities, and needs for accommodations and assistive technology.
  • Grade Determinations (GS‑11)
    • Experience: Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
    • Education: A doctoral degree in rehabilitation counselor education or related field (e.g., rehabilitation psychology) from a CACREP accredited institution or from an institution accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA.
    • Demonstrated KSAs:
      • (a) Knowledge of physical and psychological disabilities – appropriate accommodations and assistive technology principles to mitigate or eliminate barriers to community integration.
      • (b) Knowledge of counseling theory – medical and psychiatric terminology and signs and symptomology of suicidal and homicidal ideations to communicate appropriately with community health care professionals.
      • (c) Ability to use evidence‑based and evidence‑informed vocational and professional counseling practices, including individualized placement and support (IPS), customized employment and supported employment models, and motivational interviewing skills to promote self‑awareness, adjustment to disability, job retention, and community integration.
      • (d) Knowledge of career development processes and job analysis methodology to determine essential functions of jobs, worksite modifications, and alternative vocational goals given the work history and residual functional capacities of individuals with disabilities.
      • (e) Ability to administer and interpret a wide variety of assessment methods, including transferable skills and labor market analyses, to evaluate individual interests, aptitudes, and abilities and to identify suitable vocational goals for effective service delivery.
      • (f) Knowledge of marketing strategies to develop collaborative partnerships and memorandums of agreement within VA and the local business community to enhance employment and work opportunities.
      • (g) Knowledge of military lifestyle, specific factors, and dynamics associated with veterans—particularly combat veterans—to assist those returning to community and workplace.
  • All qualifying experience you possess must be clearly described in your application package.
  • We will not make assumptions when reviewing applications.
  • Failure to demonstrate your experience in your resume may result in disqualification.
  • It is strongly recommended that you write to each KSA in your application package.
  • Preferred Experience: Experience with an interdisciplinary team to provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling services to veterans with disabilities, including assessment, counseling, and case‑management services, development of rehabilitation plans, and assistance in attaining and maintaining employment and independent living.
  • Reference: For more information on this qualification standard – visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.
  • The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑9. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy ranges from GS‑9 to GS‑11.
  • Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre‑employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre‑employment process for this position.
  • Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

  Duties

  • Advocate for a Whole Health System of care in the VA Midwest Health Care Network, empowering and equipping people to take charge of their health and well‑being.
  • Operate in a model with three core elements: creating personalized health plans for each veteran, fostering healing relationships and environments, and connecting veterans back to their communities.
  • Coordinate assessment, counseling, case‑management, and rehabilitation planning to support veterans with mental, physical, or psychosocial challenges affecting employment, independent living, and personal adjustment.
  • Deliver vocational, educational, training, employment, and therapeutic work services, including supported employment for veterans with significant barriers.
  • Serve as a journey‑level Rehabilitation Counselor providing personal adjustment counseling, therapeutic rehabilitation interventions, and case coordination services.
  • Employ evidence‑informed and evidence‑based modalities to aid veterans with severe physical, psychosocial, psychological, or neurological barriers in integrating into the community.
  • Conduct biopsychosocial assessments using medical records, disability documentation, observations, and interviews with veterans and their support systems to develop personal, vocational, and educational histories.
  • Select, administer, and interpret vocational and psychometric instruments to evaluate abilities, transferable skills, functional capacity, labor market trends, aptitudes, interests, and values, then synthesize the data into an interpretive report.
  • Consult with interdisciplinary teams to enhance coordination of care, ensure medical clearance, and provide optimal timing of further interventions.
  • Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
  • Telework: Available ad‑hoc only; this is not a virtual position.
  • Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: None authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.