Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern (College)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Altoona (PA); Hybrid; USD 47,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework option

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services – Altoona District Office, invites applications for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern role. This internship provides hands-on training in career guidance and support for individuals with disabilities, under expert supervision, with real-case work and growth opportunities.

Selected interns who complete the program will be eligible for promotion to a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor after meeting degree

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Comprehensive Assessment: Gather detailed information on disability, strengths, interests, and needs for each client.
• Plan Development: Work with clients to create personalized Individualized Plans for Employment.
• Service Coordination: Arrange and approve services, such as evaluations and training programs.
• Counseling Services: Support clients through guidance, job search assistance, and resume tips.
• Record Maintenance: Keep client files updated and create reports to track progress.
• Employer Outreach: Connect with employers and referral sources to build placement opportunities.

Education

Master's degree program in vocational rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation education, or rehabilitation administration

Job description

Salary

$46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Location

Blair County, PA

Job Type

Internship

Job Number

CS-2026-61488-44825

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

Job Code

44825

Position Number

Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.

Union

SEIU Local 668

Bargaining Unit

F4

Pay Group

ST05

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

Step into a rewarding learning journey with the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern role at the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services - Altoona District Office. You will join a skilled team dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through career guidance and support. This internship with OVR offers hands‑on training in real casework and the chance to grow under expert supervision.

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 internship provides a rewarding opportunity where you assist individuals with disabilities in planning and reaching employment goals. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern, you will perform the following duties:

• Comprehensive Assessment: Gather detailed information on disability, strengths, interests, and needs for each client
• Plan Development: Work with clients to create personalized Individualized Plans for Employment
• Service Coordination: Arrange and approve services, such as evaluations and training programs
• Counseling Services: Support clients through guidance, job search assistance, and resume tips
• Record Maintenance: Keep client files updated and create reports to track progress
• Employer Outreach: Connect with employers and referral sources to build placement opportunities

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 $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

Internship Requirement:

• 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.
• 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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).

• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.