Rehabilitation Counselor

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid vacation and sick leave

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services seeks a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Morehead City satellite office to serve adults with disabilities. You will evaluate eligibility, develop IPEs, provide career counseling, and coordinate services with case managers and community partners.

The role emphasizes strong documentation, budget monitoring, and outreach to employers; it requires a Master’s degree (or CRC) and potential background screening.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or related field, or CRC certification.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate applicants and determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.

Skills

Case management

Career counseling

Job placement

Public outreach

Documentation

Budget monitoring

Education

Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling

Master’s degree in related human services field

CRC certification

Tools

Encore system

Job description

Agency Department of Health and Human Services Division EMPLOY , INDEP FOR PEOPLE W/DISAB - EIPD Job Classification Title Rehabilitation Counselor (S) Position Number 60054966 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 Morehead City 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.

Salary and Recruitment

Salary Range: $43,267 -$75,718

Recruitment Range: $57,493- $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.

• 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/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 the NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing works to ensure that all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf-Blind North Carolinians have the ability to communicate their needs and to receive information easily and effectively in all aspects of their lives, especially their health and well-being.

Compensation and Benefits

• The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits.
• Employees can participate in health insurance options
• standard and supplemental retirement plans
• 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

Supplemental Contact Information

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. 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.

Minimum Education and Experience

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.

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.

Eligibility

Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check.

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

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-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.

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.

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.