Rehabilitation Counselor

Health & Human Services; Kenansville (NC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor (NS) to serve adults with disabilities from the Kenansville area. You will evaluate eligibility, develop employment plans, and provide career counseling while coordinating services and maintaining records in Encore.

You will manage a caseload, monitor budgets, and engage employers and the community to support vocational rehabilitation goals. A CRC or related master’s degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or related field.
• Current certification as a CRC (preferred).
• Experience in vocational rehabilitation settings.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate applicants and determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Develop and implement individualized plans for employment (IPE).
• Provide career counseling, guidance, and job placement assistance.
• Coordinate and monitor delivery of services with evaluators, job coaches, and programs.
• Manage a caseload with timely documentation and policy compliance.
• Enter and maintain records in Encore; utilize staff for admin tasks.
• Monitor case service budgets, generate authorizations, and process billing.
• Conduct outreach, employer engagement, job fairs, and community education.

Skills

Case management

Disabilities experience

Teamwork

Education

Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or related field

Tools

Encore system

Job description

Title: Rehabilitation Counselor (NS)

Department: Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division EMPLOY , INDEP FOR PEOPLE W/DISAB - EIPD. Job Classification Title Rehabilitation Counselor (NS) Position Number 60054481 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

The position will be housed in the Kenansville Satellite Office and will serve adults with disabilities. 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

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

Recruitment Range: $57,000 - $67,606

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.

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/marginalized populations


• 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

• 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.


• Paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Equal Opportunity and Accommodation

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, 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.

All candidates selected for positions considered \"Positions of Trust\" will be subject to a criminal background check.

Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.

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.