Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Reading (Berks County); Hybrid; USD 66,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Reading District Office seeks a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, to guide individuals toward meaningful employment. You will use sign language and other tools to support clients with deafness and other disabilities, developing individualized plans and coordinating services.

The role covers Berks and Schuylkill Counties with potential telework options after training.

Qualifications

• Minimum experience and training requirements include completing VR Counselor Intern/Trainee Deaf and Hard of Hearing programs or possession of CRC certification or admission to CRC exam with master's degree.
• Master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, deaf education, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology or closely related field.
• Able to meet intermediate sign communication level as evaluated by PA VR Office.
• PA residency requirement is waived for this title.
• Criminal history checks are required by law.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and support to individuals with disabilities to help obtain employment.
• Perform assessments, planning and active guidance.
• Build referral sources and identify individuals who may benefit from services.

Skills

Sign language communication

Education

Master's degree in related field

Certification eligibility/CRCC

Job description

Salary: $66,074.00 - $92,010.00 Annually

Location: Berks County, PA

Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number: CS-2026-60979-44829

Department: Department of Labor & Industry

Division: LI BVRS Reading Dstr Off

Opening Date: 10/21/2026

Closing Date: 11/3/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code: 44829

Position Number: 00039382

Union: SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit: F4

Pay Group: ST07

Bureau / Division Code: 00126225

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

Worksite Address: 3602 Kutztown Road, Suite 200

City: Reading, Pennsylvania

Zip Code: 19605

Contact Name: Kaleya Rivera Pena

Contact Email: [e-mail]

THE POSITION

Join the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Reading District Office as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing and help people move toward meaningful employment. This role allows you to support individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing as they work toward their goals. You will guide individuals who are deaf and hard of hearing and individuals with other disabilities through important steps that open doors to new opportunities. Your efforts will help create paths to independence and long-term employment. Please be advised, this position provides coverage in Berks and Schuylkill Counties.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This position provides counseling and support services that help individuals with disabilities prepare for and gain employment. The role focuses on meeting customer needs through assessment, planning, and active guidance. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing, you will perform the following duties:

• Community Outreach: Build referral sources and gather information to identify individuals who may benefit from services
• Customer Communication: Use sign language and other communication tools to exchange information with customers and partners
• Eligibility Review: Evaluate medical, social, and vocational information to determine a customer's potential for rehabilitation
• Plan Development: Work with customers to create individualized plans that outline goals and needed services
• Service Coordination: Arrange assessments, authorize services, and monitor progress toward employment goals
• Case Management: Maintain accurate records, update case notes, and complete required documentation in CWDS (Commonwealth Workforce Development System)

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours per week. Work schedule may be negotiable: 7.5 hour workday and a 30-minute lunch period. The position is eligible for AWS (alternate work schedule).
• Note: This position provides coverage in Berks and Schuylkill 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 Reading 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 $66,074.00 (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

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program or the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee, Deaf and Hard of Hearing program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); 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; or
• A master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, deaf education, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Special Requirements:

• You must be able to communicate at the intermediate sign communication level, or at the equivalent of intermediate sign communication level, as determined by a sign language proficiency evaluation approved by the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.

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.