Rehabilitation Counselor

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

Job summary

The State of North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD), is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor (NS) in the Wilmington Unit Office, New Hanover County.

You will evaluate applicants, develop and implement individualized plans for employment, provide career counseling, and coordinate services to help individuals with disabilities gain and maintain employment.

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 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.

Job description

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

EMPLOY , INDEP FOR PEOPLE W/DISAB - EIPD

Job Classification Title

Rehabilitation Counselor (NS)

Position Number

60054541

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 Carolinans achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

This position is located in New Hanover County and will be located at the Wilmington Unit 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

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/marginalized populations
• Knowledge of or experience working with a team of professionals to help a client meet a goal.

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.