REHABILITATION COUNSELOR

RI Council 94; Providence, Northern (RI, KY); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhode Island Department of Human Services seeks a Rehabilitation Counselor to perform statewide vocational rehabilitation duties, assessing eligibility for services and disability benefits while coordinating medical and educational supports for handicapped clients.

The role requires interviews, case documentation, and collaboration with healthcare, education, and employment services to place clients in suitable positions. A background in SSA processes is advantageous.

Qualifications

• Education: college degree with specialization in Sociology, Psychology, Vocational Guidance, or Education.
• Experience: work in Education, Employment Placement, Public Welfare, Public Health, or vocational adjustment.
• Knowledge: familiarity with vocational/disability examination methods and related social services.

Responsibilities

• Interview applicants to obtain social, educational, medical, and occupational history.
• Evaluate case information to determine eligibility for rehabilitation services or disability claims.
• Arrange medical diagnosis and treatment as needed and coordinate vocational training or financial aid.
• Maintain case records and prepare detailed written reports.

Skills

Vocational rehabilitation knowledge

Interviews

Report writing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sociology/Psychology/Vocational Guidance/Education

Job description

## REHABILITATION COUNSELORApply: Providence: Full time: Posted Today: End Date: October 2, 2026 (9 days left to apply): JR103506# **Department**Department of Human Services# **Division**Social/Human Services# **Salary**$65,836.00 - $76,598.00# **Job Profile**JC-02843200-77 - Rehabilitation Counselor (RIASSE L580 DHS DCYF BHDDH DOC)# **Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours**Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm35 Hours - Standard# **Job Requisition Number**JR103506 REHABILITATION COUNSELOR (Open)# **Pay Grade**C00A24 A# **Classification**Rehabilitation Counselor# **Class Definition****GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:** To perform responsible counseling duties in connection with a statewide program of vocational rehabilitation of the physically and/or mentally handicapped; to perform disability determinations in connection with the preservation of old age and survivors insurance benefits; and to do related work as required.**SUPERVISION RECEIVED:** Works under the close supervision of a superior; work is reviewed in process and upon completion for adequacy and conformance to provisions of laws, rules and regulations.**SUPERVISION EXERCISED:** Usually none.**ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:*** To perform responsible counseling duties in connection with a statewide program of vocational rehabilitation of the physically and/or mentally handicapped.* To perform disability determinations in connections with the preservation of old age and survivors insurance benefits.* To interview applicants in order to obtain complete social, educational, medical, and occupational history and to do follow-up on cases as required.* To evaluate all case information obtained to determine the applicability of the rehabilitation services to the clients, or to adjudicate disability insurance claims.* To arrange for medical diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment and physical, therapeutic, and psychiatric treatment as needed.* To make decisions on eligibility of disability insurance claims based on medical information and federal guidelines.* To arrange courses of vocational training and programs of financial aid.* To maintain close contracts with employers and employment services for the purpose of locating employment possibilities for handicapped persons.* To check periodically on cases during the rehabilitation program with administrators and staffs of public and private agencies, academic institutions. hospitals, physicians, and other cooperating agencies and individuals.* To keep case records and prepare detailed written reports.* To do related work as required.**REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:****KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES:** A familiarity with the approved methods and procedures used in vocational or disability examination; a familiarity with educational and vocational training opportunities, facilities for medical, psychiatric, and related treatment or diagnosis, and other social agencies in the community; the ability to analyze occupations as to physical requirements and suitability as employment for handicapped persons; the ability to conduct personal fact-finding interviews; the ability to prepare reports; and related capacities and abilities.**EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:****Education:** Such as may have been gained through: graduation from college of recognized standing with specialization in Sociology, or Psychology, or Vocational Guidance, or Education; and**Experience:** Such as may have been gained through: employment for in the fields of Education, Employment Placement, Public Welfare, Public Health, or in a placement or vocational adjustment problems.**Or,** any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.# **Supplemental Information**Determines medical eligibility of children and adults applying for cash benefits under SSI/SSDI based on Federal regulations; obtains/analyzes medical records; processes a workload in an electronic environment. The Rehabilitation Counselor is the front line position at the RIDDS, handling all aspects of the case decision making process. They interact directly with the applicant to ensure that all of the needed information is obtained to make an accurate determination. The position requires extensive training in programmatic policies as well as specialized education related to medical and vocational documentation requirements of the Social Security administration (SSA) disability program. If found to satisfy the disability criteria, the applicant could be eligible to receive both cash and medical coverage Applicant will need to undergo a Federal Background check including Credit check, BCI, and interviews with investigators. A conditional job offer and access to Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) systems, data, information, and/or premises are contingent upon you passing the SSA suitability process. Conditional Job Offers: Should you be selected and you choose to accept this position, you must complete the following: • Online background investigation questionnaires and forms through e-QIP • Appointment and Suitability paperwork and documentation if requested Your appointment is contingent on the successful completion of a pre-employment screening, which will begin upon your acceptance of this tentative offer of employment and your completion of the required investigation questionnaires. If the results of this screening are unfavorable, this tentative offer may be rescinded. You may also be subject to a complete background investigation. SSA Human Resources personnel and/or the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) may contact you for additional information during the completion of your pre-employment screening and background investigation. You are required to respond to all requests as soon as possible. Failure to respond timely and completely will delay the scheduling your start date, and/or may result in an unfavorable finding. Fingerprinting as required in the background investigation Privacy Act Statement – FBI [fbi.gov [fbi.gov]] Noncriminal Justice Applicant’s Privacy Rights [fbi.gov [fbi.gov]] The individual hired to fill this position is being hired into an E-Verify site which contains Federal tax Information (FTI), as defined in IRS Publication 1075. Although the individual may not have direct access to FTI, the individual is required to have their employment eligibility validated through E-Verify. https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER\\_RighttoWorkPoster.pdf https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify\\_Participation\\_Poster\\_ES.pdf# **Benefits**For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.