Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Housing Works, Inc.; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance plans

Paid time off (PTO)

Educational benefit

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Housing Works is seeking a SUD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to assist individuals in treatment or recovery from substance use disorders in achieving competitive employment and long-term career success.

Responsibilities include counseling, development of employment plans, job readiness services, and coordination with training and workforce programs. The role partners with healthcare providers, employers, and community agencies to promote recovery and workforce participation.

Qualifications

• CRC Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and licensure or certification as required by OASAS/NYSED.
• Equivalent competencies consistent with certified vocational rehabilitation professionals.
• OASAS or NYSED recognized certification.

Responsibilities

• Conduct vocational assessments and provide individual and group career counseling.
• Develop and monitor individualized employment plans aligned with recovery goals.
• Deliver job readiness services, including resume development, interview preparation, job search assistance, and career coaching.
• Coordinate referrals to training, education, certification, and workforce development programs.
• Facilitate job placement and provide retention and advancement support.
• Educate employers on recovery-friendly workplace practices and available workforce resources.
• Collaborate with treatment teams and service providers to integrate employment into recovery planning.
• Maintain accurate documentation, track outcomes, and ensure compliance with OASAS, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and organizational requirements.
• Participate in program evaluation, quality improvement, and staff development activities.

Skills

Vocational counseling

Career planning

Group facilitation

Employer engagement

Documentation

HIPAA compliance

Education

CRC Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling

OASAS or NYSED certification

Access-VR Certified Counselor

CASAC, LMSW, LMHC, or LCSW

Job description

Compensation Range: $30/hr - $32/hr commensurate with experience

Benefits:

We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books.

Overview:

The SUD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor helps individuals in treatment for or recovery from substance use disorders achieve competitive employment and long-term career success. Through vocational counseling, career planning, job readiness training, employer engagement, job placement, and retention support, the counselor promotes recovery, economic self-sufficiency, and workforce participation. This role collaborates with treatment providers, employers, workforce agencies, community partners, and OASAS to deliver person-centered employment services.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct vocational assessments and provide individual and group career counseling.
• Develop and monitor individualized employment plans aligned with recovery goals.
• Deliver job readiness services, including resume development, interview preparation, job search assistance, and career coaching.
• Coordinate referrals to training, education, certification, and workforce development programs.
• Facilitate job placement and provide retention and advancement support.
• Build relationships with employers and community partners to expand employment opportunities.
• Educate employers on recovery-friendly workplace practices and available workforce resources.
• Collaborate with treatment teams and service providers to integrate employment into recovery planning.
• Maintain accurate documentation, track outcomes, and ensure compliance with OASAS, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and organizational requirements.
• Participate in program evaluation, quality improvement, and staff development activities.

Requirements:

• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling Access-VR Certified Counselor CASAC, LMSW, LMHC, or LCSW Master's degree in a related human services field
• OASAS or NYSED recognized certification
• Equivalent competencies consistent with certified vocational rehabilitation professionals

Preferred Experience:

• Two or more years in vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, behavioral health, or SUD treatment.
• Experience working with individuals in recovery.
• Group facilitation.
• Knowledge of OASAS, Access-VR, and workforce systems

Union Affiliations:

This position is included in a bargaining unit of Housing Works' New York City employees represented by a labor union known as the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union ("RWDSU"). Accordingly, the RWDSU has the exclusive right to bargain over the terms and conditions of the employment related to this position and this position may become covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (a "CBA") between Housing Works and the RWDSU.

Housing Works

Housing Works was founded in 1990 with a long-term commitment to AIDS advocacy. Housing Works established New York State's first harm reduction-based, OASAS-licensed outpatient drug treatment program. Other services include Health Home care management, behavioral health, and syringe exchange programs.

A pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement, Housing Works operates 10 high-end thrift shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a much-loved Bookstore Cafe in Soho. Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services. For more information, visit www.housingworks.org.

Important Information for Applicants

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement:Housing Works requires employees working in our Health Services division to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need an accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources.

We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary.

Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year.

We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and textbooks.

Housing Works provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Housing Works complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Housing Works also does not request prior salary information during the hiring process. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.