Transition Counselor

State of North Carolina - Health & Human Services; North Carolina; On-site; USD 43,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid parental leave

Job summary

State of North Carolina - Health & Human Services, Division of Services for the Blind, seeks a Transition Counselor to identify students who are blind or visually impaired, assess needs, and develop customized vocational plans. The role supports pre‑employment transition services and collaborates with schools and employers to create meaningful work experiences.

The counselor will work across Mecklenburg County, coordinating with teachers and professionals to prepare students for future

Qualifications

• Experience conducting case management tasks and coordinating vocational rehabilitation services.
• Ability to collaborate with teachers, school personnel, and county officials to align service plans.
• Proficiency delivering pre‑employment transition services to youth with disabilities.
• Experience working with employers to create work experiences and internships.
• Coordination of services across public, private, charter, and home‑school settings.

Responsibilities

• Identify eligible high‑school‑age students who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind in Mecklenburg County.
• Evaluate eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Develop individualized vocational service plans reflecting student strengths and goals.
• Deliver pre‑employment transition services and prepare students for employment pathways.
• Collaborate with schools and employers to arrange internships and work experiences.
• Travel to job sites, high schools, and campuses to support planning.

Skills

Case management

Team collaboration

Pre‑employment transition services

Employer engagement

Across multiple educational settings

Education

Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling

Master's degree in related human services field

CRC certification

Job description

AgencyDept of Health and Human ServicesDivisionBlind ServicesJob Classification TitleRehabilitation Counselor (S)Position Number60042970GradeNC10About UsThe 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 WorkThe Transition Counselor identifies high‑school‑age students in Mecklenburg County who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind and evaluates their eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services. The position conducts assessments, develops individualized service plans, and collaborates with teachers, school personnel, county officials, and professional team members to support each student’s vocational development.This role delivers pre‑employment transition services and assists students in building skills, interests, and experiences aligned with future employment goals. The counselor works directly with employers to create work experiences and internships suited to each student’s abilities and career interests. Work focuses on supporting students whose disabilities present substantial employment barriers and helping them build a foundation for successful vocational outcomes.Key Duties Include:- Identify blind, visually impaired, and deafblind high‑school‑age students in public, private, charter, and home‑school settings within Mecklenburg County.- Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services based on disability‑related barriers to employment.- Conduct assessments in collaboration with a team of professionals to establish service needs for each student.- Develop and implement individualized vocational service plans that reflect student strengths, interests, choices, and employment goals.- Collaborate with teachers, school personnel, and county officials to coordinate service delivery.- Provide pre‑employment transition services that prepare students for future employment pathways.- Work with employers to develop work experiences and internships matched to student skills and capabilities.- Create vocational exploration opportunities that support students’ long‑term employment success.- Maintain communication with students, families, and stakeholders to ensure timely and coordinated services.- Travel to job sites, high schools, and college campuses to support planning and implementation of student services.Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management PreferencesSalary Grade Range: $43,267.00 - $75,718.00Recruitment Range: $43,267.00 - $54,500.00Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:Demonstrated experience performing case management tasks, including evaluating student needs and coordinating vocational‑rehabilitation services.Proven success collaborating with teams of professionals to develop assessments and align service plans with shared employment goals for students.Intermediate proficiency delivering pre‑employment transition services to high‑school‑age youth with disability‑related barriers to employment.Demonstrated experience working with employers to create work experiences and internships matched to students’ skills, interests, and capabilities.Advanced skill coordinating services for students across multiple educational settings, including public, private, charter, and home‑school environments.The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End DateThis Position Is Funded In Part Through Federal FundsPhysical Requirements:Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.The use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.*Note this position requires spending time walking through different job sites, high schools, and touring college campuses.About the Division of Services for the Blind (DSB):The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf-blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.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.Visit the website for State Benefits .Supplemental 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.Application ProcessBe sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the \"Work Experience\" section of the application to support your answers.If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered \"Positions of Trust\" will be subject to a criminal background check.Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are \"Under Review\" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members .Degree/College Credit VerificationDegrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.Veterans’ and National Guard PreferenceApplicants 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 AccommodationsConsistent 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 indicated below.CONTACT INFORMATIONIf there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail] . Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.Minimum Education and ExperienceSome 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 institutionORMaster's degree in a related human services field from an appropriately accredited institutionORCurrent certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.EEO StatementT he 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.Recruiter:Tresha WalkerContact:DHHS Workday Support Form