Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Altoona (PA); Hybrid; USD 61,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Altoona District Office. The role focuses on guiding individuals with disabilities through the vocational rehabilitation process to achieve meaningful employment and personal growth.

You will develop plans, coordinate evaluations and services, and assist with job placement while maintaining accurate case notes. Telework may be available after training; typical schedule is 37.5 hours weekly in Blair County,

Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Active CRCC certification or eligibility to sit for CRCC exam.
• Educational requirements met within three months of graduating.

Responsibilities

• Build referral sources with community partners.
• Conduct interviews to assess customer needs and goals.
• Determine eligibility by reviewing medical, vocational and psychosocial information.
• Coordinate evaluations, authorize services and track progress.
• Counsel customers, develop plans and assist with job placement.
• Maintain and update case notes and records.

Education

Master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, or related field

Active CRCC Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate

CRCC exam eligibility with master's degree

Job description

Salary: $60,538.00 - $92,010.00 Annually

Location: Blair County, PA

Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number: CS-2026-61486-44831

Job Code: 44831

Position Number: Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.

Department: Department of Labor & Industry

Division: LI BVRS Altoona Dstr Off

Opening Date: 10/27/2026

Closing Date: 11/9/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Union: SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit: F4

Pay Group: ST07

Bureau / Division Code: 00126240

Bureau / Division: Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Altoona District Office

Worksite Address: 1130 12th Avenue, Suite 500

City: Altoona, Pennsylvania

Zip Code: 16601

Contact Name: Kaleya Rivera Pena

Contact Email: [e-mail]

The Position

As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Altoona District Office, you play a key part in helping individuals overcome barriers to employment. This role offers a rewarding opportunity to support personal growth and career success. Your efforts will help people build confidence and achieve their goals. Be part of an agency that promotes opportunity, inclusion, and positive change.

Description of Work

This position focuses on supporting individuals with disabilities as they work toward meaningful and sustainable employment. You will guide customers through each step of the vocational rehabilitation process and ensure they receive the services they need. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, you will perform the following duties:

• Develop Referral Sources: Build relationships with community partners to identify potential customers
• Conduct Interviews: Gather information about customer needs, backgrounds, and goals
• Determine Eligibility: Review medical, vocational, and psychosocial information to assess rehabilitation potential
• Coordinate Services: Arrange evaluations, authorize services, and track progress through completion
• Support Employment Goals: Counsel customers, develop plans, and assist with job placement activities
• Maintain Records: Update case notes, manage online files, and prepare required documentation

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday
• Work hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with a 30-minute lunch. Work schedule may be negotiable within a 7.5 hour work day. The position is eligible for AWS (alternate work schedule).
• This position will serve Blair and Bedford Counties.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, upon successful completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Altoona or an approved office in the caseload territory. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility

Qualifications

• Successful completion of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program or the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• A master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related field; or
• Possession of an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification; or
• Proof of approval to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification examination, provided by the CRCC, and completion of a master's degree.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other Requirements

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.