Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern

Messiah University; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

This internship with the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Pittsburgh District Office provides hands-on experience in vocational rehabilitation, serving individuals with disabilities in Allegheny County. Interns connect with clients, coordinate services, and build confidence and skills for employment.

Upon successful completion, interns are eligible for promotion to Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in the final year of a master's degree program in vocational rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation education, or rehabilitation administration.
• Authorization by the college or university for the student to participate in the Commonwealth's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern Program.
• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.

Responsibilities

• Referral Outreach: Communicate and maintain contacts with local partners to ensure potential vocational rehabilitation participants are identified and referred to our office
• Customer Assessments: Conduct face-to-face interviews with applicants to understand their needs, explain program requirements and processes, and determine eligibility
• Case Management: Work with customers to develop individualized rehabilitation plans; monitor customer progress; and adjust plans to support success
• Service Coordination: Arrange evaluations, authorize expenditures, and coordinate service delivery
• Client Support: Provide counseling and promote soft skill development, refer customers to job openings, and follow up after job placement
• Documentation: Enter, write, and update detailed information, case notes, service authorizations, and correspondence in electronic file systems

Education

Master's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling / rehabilitation education / rehabilitation administration

Job description

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Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern

Are you searching for entry-level specialized professional work supporting individuals with disabilities as they move toward rewarding careers? Join the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Pittsburgh District Office as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern. This position will help our team serve Allegheny County. Our internship program involves hands-on work connecting with clients and coordinating individualized services designed to help people gain confidence, build skills, overcome challenges, and discover new opportunities for employment. Take the next step in your career with a team that creates brighter futures for the people we serve.

Upon successful completion of the internship and the degree or certificate program, interns will be eligible for promotion as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

THE POSITION

Are you searching for entry-level specialized professional work supporting individuals with disabilities as they move toward rewarding careers? Join the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Pittsburgh District Office as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern. This position will help our team serve Allegheny County. Our internship program involves hands-on work connecting with clients and coordinating individualized services designed to help people gain confidence, build skills, overcome challenges, and discover new opportunities for employment. Take the next step in your career with a team that creates brighter futures for the people we serve.

Upon successful completion of the internship and the degree or certificate program, interns will be eligible for promotion as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This structured internship involves formal training and on-the-job experience providing vocational rehabilitation services to help individuals with disabilities secure and maintain meaningful employment. Work serves clients identified by specific agency partners within the coverage area as well as walk-ins, call-ins, and personal contact referrals. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern, you will learn and perform the following duties:

• Referral Outreach: Communicate and maintain contacts with local partners to ensure potential vocational rehabilitation participants are identified and referred to our office
• Customer Assessments: Conduct face-to-face interviews with applicants to understand their needs, explain program requirements and processes, and determine eligibility
• Case Management: Work with customers to develop individualized rehabilitation plans; monitor customer progress; and adjust plans to support success
• Service Coordination: Arrange evaluations, authorize expenditures, and coordinate service delivery
• Client Support: Provide counseling and promote soft skill development, refer customers to job openings, and follow up after job placement
• Documentation: Enter, write, and update detailed information, case notes, service authorizations, and correspondence in electronic file systems

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 37.5 hours per week, Monday – Friday
• Work hours are typically 8:00 AM – 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).
• 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 Pittsburgh or an approved office in the caseload coverage area territory. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Note: This position will serve Allegheny County.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $46,827.00 (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:

Current enrollment in the final year of a master's degree program in vocational rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation education, or rehabilitation administration.

Special Requirement:

Authorization by the college or university for the student to participate in the Commonwealth's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern Program. Upon entering the internship, the student must be enrolled in the final semester of the appropriate master's degree program.

Other Requirements:

PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.