Rehabilitation Counselor - Ames
State of Iowa - Executive Branch
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor in Ames to guide individuals with disabilities through career exploration, planning, and placement. You will work with families, schools, providers, and employers to remove barriers and create pathways to competitive, integrated employment.
The role emphasizes counseling, coordination, and developing individualized employment plans while ensuring compliance with federal regulations and agency policies.
Qualifications
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in a human-services-related field and one year of graduate-level education and/or full-time work in professional vocational rehabilitation counseling services or human services.
- Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field and twenty-four semester hours of graduate coursework in rehabilitation counseling, human resources, school counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, education, or a closely-related field.
Responsibilities
- Deliver Pre-Employment Transition Services to potentially eligible students
- Interview applicants and support teams; gather medical, psychological, educational, and social information
- Determine eligibility and Significance of Disability classifications
- Develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) tailored to each participant’s goals, interests, and abilities
- Provide counseling and guidance to support informed career decisions and long-term employment success
- Coordinate and authorize services necessary to achieve employment goals
- Interpret and apply federal regulations and agency policies consistently across cases
- Maintain accurate and timely case documentation within the case management system
- Collaborate with internal teams to meet compliance standards, timeframes, and agency goals
- Travel statewide to schools, rehabilitation facilities, businesses, and community locations
- Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development activities
- Build partnerships with employers, community providers, schools, and workforce organizations
- Educate businesses on disability inclusion and reasonable accommodations
- Develop on-the-job training, work-based learning, and apprenticeship opportunities
- Collaborate with the Iowa Workforce Development Business Engagement Team for employer outreach
- Support job carving and customized employment aligned with participant strengths and goals
Skills
Education
Job description
Make an Impact. Empower Careers. Strengthen Communities.
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor to join our team at the IVRS branch office in Ames, Iowa. This role is more than a job- it is an opportunity to partner with individuals with disabilities as they build meaningful, sustainable employment and greater independence. If you are motivated by purpose-driven work, collaboration, and helping others reach their full potential, we encourage you to apply.
- Location: 819 Wheeler St Ste 6, Ames IA
- Schedule: Full-time | Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Work Flexibility: Hybrid telework and alternate schedule available after six months of employment and training have been completed.
As a Rehabilitation Counselor, you will provide counseling, coordination, and comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. You will guide participants through career exploration, planning, and placement while collaborating with families, schools, providers, and employers to remove barriers and create pathways to competitive, integrated employment.
- Deliver Pre-Employment Transition Services to potentially eligible students
- Interview applicants and support teams; gather medical, psychological, educational, and social information
- Determine eligibility and Significance of Disability classifications
- Develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) tailored to each participant’s goals, interests, and abilities
- Provide counseling and guidance to support informed career decisions and long-term employment success
- Coordinate and authorize services necessary to achieve employment goals
- Interpret and apply federal regulations and agency policies consistently across cases
- Maintain accurate and timely case documentation within the case management system
- Collaborate with internal teams to meet compliance standards, timeframes, and agency goals
- Build partnerships with employers, community providers, schools, and workforce organizations
- Educate businesses on disability inclusion and reasonable accommodations
- Develop on-the-job training, work-based learning, and apprenticeship opportunities
- Collaborate with the Iowa Workforce Development Business Engagement Team for employer outreach
- Support job carving and customized employment aligned with participant strengths and goals
- Travel statewide to schools, rehabilitation facilities, businesses, and community locations
- Participate in staff meetings, training, and professional development activities
- Strong counseling, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to analyze information, exercise sound judgment, and document decisions clearly
- Commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusive employment practices
- Collaborative mindset and comfort working with diverse stakeholders
- Organizational skills and attention to compliance and timelines
Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) operates within Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve independence through employment. IWD is a statewide agency focused on connecting job seekers with opportunities and supporting employers in building strong, skilled workforces. Through Iowa WORKS centers and partner offices across the state, IWD delivers demand-driven workforce services that strengthen Iowa’s economy and communities.
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Generous Paid Time Off- vacation, sick leave (no accrual cap), and nine paid holidays
- IPERS Retirement Plan plus optional deferred compensation savings
- Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
- Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance & Discount Programs
- Professional development and career growth opportunities
The successful candidate must be able to pass a criminal background check conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
The current Rehabilitation Counselor pay grade is 28. For Rehabilitation Counselor positions with a bachelor’s degree, the position will be capped at 85%.
Every plan you build, every partnership you create, and every individual you support contributes to a more inclusive workforce and stronger Iowa communities. This position offers the chance to see direct, lasting impact in the lives of others while building a meaningful public service career. If you’re ready to combine purpose with profession, we’d love to meet you.
The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify; a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.
No applicant for employment with the Iowa Department of Workforce Development can have a current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development without a payment plan in place. Selected positions will be subject to a criminal background check.
- All of the following (a and b): (a) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in a human-services-related field; and (b) A total of one year of graduate-level education and/or full-time work in professional vocational rehabilitation counseling services or human services field, where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in rehabilitation counseling, human resources, school counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, education, or a closely-related field equals one year of full-time experience.
- All of the following (a and b): (a) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field; and (b) A total of twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in rehabilitation counseling, human resources, school counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, education, or a closely-related field.
Travel may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.
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