Rehabilitation Counselor

Agency Dept of Health and Human Services Division EMPLOY , INDEP FOR PEOPLE W/DISAB - EIPD Job Classification Title Rehabilitation Counselor (S) Position Number 60055070 Grade NC10 About Us The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence. Description of Work The Rehabilitation Counselor position is located in the Wilmington VR/IL Office in New Hanover County and provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. The counselor evaluates applicants for eligibility, develops individualized employment plans, and coordinates service delivery to support successful employment outcomes. Services are delivered both in person and remotely and include counseling, guidance, job placement assistance, and collaboration with community partners. This position manages a diverse caseload and monitors progress throughout the rehabilitation process. All service delivery and case documentation are completed in accordance with agency policy and standards. Key Duties Include: - Conduct interviews and assessments to evaluate applicants medical, psychological, and vocational information for eligibility determination. - Develop individualized employment plans (IPEs) based on comprehensive assessments of client strengths, needs, and vocational goals. - Analyze financial documentation to determine financial eligibility and complete financial needs statements. - Coordinate and authorize services such as medical treatment, training, adaptive equipment, and job-related supports. - Monitor client progress toward employment goals and document service delivery in the agencys case management system. - Provide counseling and guidance to support disability adjustment, vocational readiness, and interpersonal skill development. - Collaborate with internal and external professionals to execute service plans and ensure timely delivery of rehabilitation services. - Conduct job development and placement activities, including employer engagement, resume preparation, and interview coaching. - Manage caseloads to meet agency performance goals, including referrals, activations, closures, and successful employment outcomes. - Participate in community outreach and public relations efforts to promote vocational rehabilitation services and develop new referral sources. Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Salary Grade Range: $41,655.00 - $72,897.00 Recruitment Range: $41,655.00 - $50,346.00 Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred: Experience evaluating medical, psychological, and vocational documentation to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and document findings in a case management system. Experience developing individualized employment plans (IPEs) through comprehensive assessments and collaborative planning with clients, including goal setting, service identification, and progress tracking. Experience coordinating and authorizing services such as training, medical treatment, adaptive equipment, and job-related supports using agency-approved systems and procedures. Experience providing counseling and guidance to individuals with disabilities to support vocational readiness, interpersonal skill development, and successful adjustment to employment environments. Experience conducting job development and placement activities, including employer engagement, resume preparation, and interview coaching to support competitive employment outcomes. The Posting Will Close At 11:59 P.M. The Night Before The End Date This Position Is Mostly Federally Funded This Position Is Possibly Eligible To Be Hybrid About the Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD): The EIPD helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for competitive employment and more independent living in communities statewide. In collaboration with each client, we help assess skills, interests and abilities and choose a goal for competitive employment or independence. Based on the clients needs, we create a customized plan of services and supports to help them achieve that goal. Compensation and Benefits: The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit the website for State Benefits. Supplemental Contact Information: The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employerthat embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federallaws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/. DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. In accordance with the Governors Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. Application Process Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date. Applicantsmaybe subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust"will besubject to a criminal background check. Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent. For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. Degree/College Credit Verification Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application. Veterans and National Guard Preference Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach aDD-214 Member-4 Form(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application. ADA Accommodations Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below. CONTACT INFORMATION If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Minimum Education and Experience Some state job postings say you can qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience. If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details. Masters degree in rehabilitation counseling from an appropriately accredited institution OR A Masters degree in a related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution OR Current certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. EEO Statement The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices. Recruiter: Yvette Jones Email: talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov North Carolina State Government is one of the states largest employers, with over 76,000 employees all working toward a common goal: a safer and stronger North Carolina. We are a large organization comprised of various agencies, offices, and universities, each providing important public services. Eligible state employees are entitled to comprehensive benefits, including a variety of leave options, professional development opportunities, insurance, and more. To learn more about the benefits of being a North Carolina state employee, visit the N.C. Office of State Human Resources' website. Permanent, temporary, and time-limited state government jobs can be found from the mountains to the coast. Find your next opportunity today! State Application Resources/Frequently Asked Questions Valuing Education and Experience The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we'll get in touch if there's a role that seems like a good match. If you are already a state employee, please search for jobs by clicking here.