Rehabilitation Counselor

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

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks a Rehabilitation Counselor in the Boone VR/IL Unit at the Wilkesboro satellite office. You will help individuals with disabilities achieve career and independent living goals through counseling, plan development, and coordinated services.

Responsibilities include evaluating eligibility, creating written plans, delivering supportive counseling, caseload management, and building partnerships with communities and employers to

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or related field.
• CRC certification or eligibility strongly preferred.
• Experience with disability services and case management.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate data to determine eligibility and required services.
• Develop and implement written rehabilitation plans with clients and guardians.
• Provide counseling and coordinate services to promote employment goals.
• Manage caseload and document progress in the case management system.
• Engage in outreach, employer engagement and community education.

Skills

Disability experience

Teamwork

Case management

Education

Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling

Master’s degree in related human services field

CRC certification

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

60055133

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 Rehabilitation Counselor position is in the Boone VR/IL Unit and is housed in the Wilkesboro satellite office. The primary purpose of the Rehabilitation Counselor is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their career and independent living goals by providing supportive 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 and implementing a written rehabilitation plan of services in conjunction with the client, parent, and/or guardian
• Providing rehabilitation services within the context of a guidance and counseling relationship and providing supportive counseling
• Managing a caseload and documenting service delivery and case progress in the case management system as required by agency policy
• Monitoring clients progress throughout the service delivery process
• Engaging in outreach and public relations activities, including employer engagement, job fairs, and community education on vocational rehabilitation services.
• Attending required trainings and contribute to team meetings and unit initiatives to support professional development and agency goals
• Working directly with community partners to assist individuals with disabilities in becoming suitably employed

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

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

Recruitment Range $57,000 - $67,606

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

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

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.

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

Position is funded in part through federal funds

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 & 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.

Visit website for State Benefits

Supplemental and 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. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

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.

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.

Degree/College Credit Verification

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

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• 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 the 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 Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, etc.) indicated below.