Rehabilitation Counselor

State of North Carolina; Jackson (MS); On-site; USD 43,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks a Rehabilitation Counselor (S) to serve in the Jackson County, Sylva Office, aiding individuals with disabilities to achieve career goals and independent living through counseling, planning, and service coordination.

You will evaluate eligibility, develop IPE plans, provide counseling and job placement assistance, and collaborate with community partners to help clients gain and maintain employment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or related field.
• Current certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CR-C) or equivalent.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate applicants and determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Develop and implement individualized plans for employment (IPE) with eligible consumers.
• Provide career counseling, guidance, and job placement assistance.
• Coordinate and monitor delivery of planned services with evaluators, job coaches, and community programs.
• Manage a caseload of people with disabilities with timely documentation and compliance.

Education

Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling

Master’s degree in related human services field

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor

Job description

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

EMPLOY , INDEP FOR PEOPLE W/DISAB - EIPD

Job Classification Title

Rehabilitation Counselor (S)

Position Number

60054886

Grade

NC10

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

This position is located in Jackson County, Sylva, and is part of the Sylva VR/IL Unit. The primary purpose of the Rehabilitation Counselor is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their career and independent living goals by providing counseling, developing individualized plans, and coordinating services to help clients overcome barriers to their disabilities and/or obtain and maintain gainful employment.

Job responsibilities include the following:

• Evaluating professional diagnostic data to determine eligibility and required rehabilitation services
• Developing a written plan of services in conjunction with the consumer, parent and/or guardian
• Providing rehabilitation services within the context of a guidance and counseling relationship and providing supportive counseling
• Monitoring the consumer’s progress throughout the service delivery process
• Working directly with community partners in order to assist individuals with disabilities in becoming suitably employed
• Documenting service delivery and case progress in the case management system as required by agency policy

Description of Work

The position will be housed in the Jackson County, Sylva Office. The primary purpose of the Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities is to provide vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabling conditions that results in significant vocational impediment. The services provided are determined and based upon individual need and are provided to enable people with such impediments to enter and/or maintain gainful employment at their highest level of vocational potential.

• Evaluate applicants and determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services based on diagnostic and educational data.
• Develop and implement individualized plans for employment (IPE) in collaboration with eligible consumers.
• Provide career counseling, guidance, and job placement assistance tailored to consumer strengths, interests, and limitations.
• Coordinate and monitor the delivery of planned services, including referrals to vocational evaluators, job coaches, and community rehabilitation programs.
• Manage a caseload of people with disabilities, ensuring timely documentation and compliance with agency policies.
• Enter and maintain case records in the Encore system and utilize support staff for administrative tasks.
• Monitor and manage case service budgets, generate authorizations, and process billing to support service delivery.
• Conduct outreach and public relations activities, including employer engagement, job fairs, and community education on vocational rehabilitation services.
• Attend required trainings and contribute to team meetings and unit initiatives to support professional development and agency goals.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Salary Range: $43,267.00-$75,718.00

Recruitment Range: $57,000.00 - $67,606.00

A trainee is an applicant who has not fully met the education requirements for the position. Salary for a trainee may be set at a lower level than the classification salary range and recruitment range that is listed in the posting with the salary being adjusted up accordingly when the trainee has obtained the necessary additional education and experience to fully meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the classification specification.

Trainee progression:

6 months

12 months

18 months

Fully Qualified / 24 months

*Salary increases are awarded during progression.

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred.

• Knowledge of or experience in case management
• Knowledge of or experience working with people with disabilities or underserved/marginalizedpopulations
• Knowledge of or experience working within a team setting

Position is funded in part through federal funds

Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date

About Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD):

The DHHS Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) promotes employment and independence for people with disabilities through customer partnership and community leadership. EIPD helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for competitive employment and more independent living in communities statewide. To learn more about EIPD: https://youtu.be/4QUy2w9B6AU.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Supplemental Contact Information:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employerthat embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federallaws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach aDD-214 Member-4 Form(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of their DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from an appropriately accredited institution; or
• Master’s degree in a related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; or
• Current certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from an appropriately accredited institution; or a master’s degree in a related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; or current certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.