Transition Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Health & Human Services; Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid vacation

Job summary

North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) seeks a Rehabilitation Counselor (S) in the Division of Services for the Blind. You will identify visually impaired individuals, conduct assessments, determine eligibility, and craft individualized employment plans to connect clients with suitable work opportunities.

You will coordinate services, lead job development and placement efforts with employers, and educate providers to improve referrals.

Qualifications

• Experience conducting eligibility interviews and diagnostic assessments for blind/visually impaired individuals.
• Ability to develop individualized employment plans aligned with consumer abilities and goals.
• Proven track record coordinating rehabilitation services including job development and placement.

Responsibilities

• Identify blind or visually impaired individuals whose disability impedes employment.
• Explain vocational rehabilitation services to consumers and referral sources.
• Complete applications, interviews, and diagnostic studies in preliminary assessments.
• Determine eligibility and help develop individualized employment plans.
• Coordinate or authorize services supporting consumer employment goals.
• Provide and coordinate job development and placement activities with employers.
• Educate eye-care providers and referral sources to strengthen referrals.
• Perform case finding and service planning in line with federal criteria.

Skills

Eligibility interviews

Diagnostic assessments

Employment plans

Job development

Outreach to providers

Education

Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling

Job description

Rehabilitation Counselor (S)

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division Blind Services Job Classification Title Rehabilitation Counselor (S) Position Number 60043020 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

The Transition Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor identifies blind or visually impaired individuals whose disability presents a substantial barrier to employment and provides a structured rehabilitation program to support their path to achieving suitable work. The position conducts applications, interviews, diagnostic assessments, and eligibility determinations to develop individualized employment plans tailored to each consumer’s abilities, interests, and capabilities. Work includes coordinating and authorizing services that promote employment, including job development, job placement, and direct engagement with employers. The role also includes outreach and re‑education efforts with eye‑care providers and community referral sources to strengthen access to vocational rehabilitation services.

Key Duties Include:

• Identify blind or visually impaired individuals whose disability creates a substantial impediment to employment.
• Explain vocational rehabilitation services to potential consumers and referral sources such as ophthalmologists, optometrists, and county DSS offices.
• Complete applications, initial interviews, and diagnostic studies as part of the preliminary assessment process.
• Determine consumer eligibility and assist with developing individualized employment plans aligned with consumer abilities, capabilities, and interests.
• Coordinate or authorize services that support consumer employment goals.
• Provide and coordinate job development and job placement activities based on consumer job goals.
• Conduct outreach to educate and re‑educate eye‑care providers and other referral sources to improve the volume and quality of referrals.
• Carry out case finding, plan development, and service provision in accordance with federal eligibility criteria.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $43,267.00 - $75,718.00
Recruitment Range: $43,267.00 - $50,346.00

Applicants 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 conducting eligibility interviews and diagnostic assessments to determine service needs for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Strong track record developing individualized employment plans that align consumer abilities, interests, and capabilities with appropriate vocational goals. Expert proficiency coordinating rehabilitation services, including job development and placement activities carried out directly with community employers. Demonstrated experience performing outreach and re‑education with ophthalmologists, optometrists, county DSS offices, and other referral sources to strengthen referral pipelines. Proven success executing case finding, service planning, and program delivery in compliance with federal eligibility criteria for vocational rehabilitation services.

Physical 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

• 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.
• 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.

Minimum Education and Experience

• 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.

Recruiter

Recruiter: Tresha Walker Contact: DHHS Workday Support Form

About the Agency

North Carolina State Government is one of the state’s largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time‑limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today!

Valuing Education and Experience

Valuing Education and Experience

Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post‑secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide.

Background Check Requirements

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.

Posting Closure

The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date.

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting.