Rehabilitation Counselor - Cedar Rapids

State of Iowa - Executive Branch; Cedar Rapids (IA); Hybrid; USD 31,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Vacation and sick leave

IPERS retirement benefits

Deferred compensation

Flexible spending accounts

Life insurance & long-term disability

Employee assistance & discounts

Training & professional development

Job summary

State of Iowa - Executive Branch is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Cedar Rapids office to help individuals with disabilities explore career possibilities and prepare for employment. This role collaborates with families, schools, service providers, and employers to develop individualized plans and address barriers on the path to meaningful work.

The position offers a hybrid schedule with telework after six months, travel to schools and businesses, and a starting wage of $27.40 per

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college with a degree in a human-services-related field.
• Total of one year of graduate-level education and/or full-time work in professional vocational rehabilitation or related human services field.

Responsibilities

• Meet with participants to understand strengths, interests, abilities, and employment goals.
• Provide vocational counseling and guide through rehabilitation and employment process.
• Develop individualized employment plans with participants and coordinate services.

Skills

Compassionate counseling

Effective communication

Trust-building

Organization & documentation

Collaborative approach

Accessibility & inclusion

Program requirements knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in human-services-related field

Bachelor's degree (any field) + 24 graduate hours in rehabilitation counseling/related field

Job description

Job Description

Make an Impact. Empower Careers. Strengthen Communities.

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor for our Cedar Rapids IA office. In this role, you will help individuals with disabilities explore career possibilities, prepare for employment, and connect with opportunities that support greater independence.

You do not have to make an impact alone. You will work alongside participants, families, schools, service providers, employers, and fellow IVRS professionals to develop individualized employment plans and address barriers along the way.

Position Details

• Location: 1025 Kirkwood Pkwy SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
• Schedule: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Work Arrangement: Hybrid telework and alternate work schedule available after six months of employment and training have been completed
• Travel: Regular travel to schools, businesses, service providers, and community locations

New Hires will start at base starting wage: $27.40 hour, $2,192.00 bi-weekly, $56,992.00 annually

Candidates who possess a master’s degree in a related field and relevant professional experience may be considered for a higher starting salary within the pay range, consistent with State of Iowa compensation guidelines.

This position is classified as a Rehabilitation Counselor, pay grade 28. Candidates appointed with a bachelor’s degree are eligible for compensation up to 85% of the pay grade maximum.

What You’ll Do

• Meeting with participants to understand their strengths, interests, abilities, support needs, and employment goals
• Providing vocational counseling and guidance throughout the rehabilitation and employment process
• Reviewing medical, psychological, educational, and social information to determine eligibility for services
• Developing individualized employment plans in partnership with participants
• Coordinating services, training, accommodations, and other resources needed to support employment success
• Providing Pre-Employment Transition Services to students who may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation services
• Maintaining clear, timely, and accurate case documentation
• Applying program requirements, federal regulations, and agency policies consistently
• Monitoring progress and helping participants work through challenges or adjusting their employment plans when needed

Build Connections Across the Community

• Collaborate with schools, community organizations, workforce partners, and service providers
• Build relationships with employers and help them understand disability inclusion and reasonable accommodations
• Identify work‑based learning, on‑the‑job training, apprenticeship, and employment opportunities
• Partner with Iowa Workforce Development’s Business Engagement Team on employer outreach
• Help align employment opportunities with each participant’s abilities, interests, and goals

What Will Help You Succeed

• Compassionate and effective counseling and communication skills
• The ability to build trust with people from a variety of backgrounds
• Sound judgment and the ability to make well‑supported decisions
• Strong organization, time management, and documentation skills
• A collaborative approach to working with participants, families, schools, providers, and employers
• A commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and meaningful employment for individuals with disabilities
• The ability to learn and apply detailed program requirements and policies

Why Join IVRS?

This position offers the opportunity to build a meaningful career while making a visible difference in the lives of Iowans. You will help people recognize their strengths, navigate challenges, and pursue employment that supports their goals and independence.

As part of Iowa Workforce Development, you will join a statewide network of professionals working to connect people with opportunity and strengthen Iowa’s workforce.

Benefits Of Working For The State Of Iowa

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and sick leave, with no maximum accrual for sick leave
• Nine paid holidays
• IPERS retirement benefits
• Optional retirement savings through deferred compensation
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent‑care expenses
• Life insurance and long‑term disability coverage
• Employee assistance and discount programs
• Training, professional development, and opportunities for career growth

Additional Information

Learn more about State of Iowa employee benefits .

The successful candidate must be able to complete a criminal background check conducted through the Iowa Department of Public Safety.

Make Your Work Matter

Your counseling, coordination, and community partnerships can help someone move from uncertainty to opportunity.

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.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• 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.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description .