The Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Reading District Office, is seeking a dedicated Bilingual Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who is ready to make a real difference. This role offers the chance to guide individuals as they work toward meaningful employment and personal growth. It is a rewarding opportunity to use your communication and problem-solving skills every day. Join a team that values your passion for helping others.
This role focuses on guiding individuals with disabilities through the vocational rehabilitation process so they can prepare for and achieve employment success. You will support customers from initial referral through job placement and case closure. As a Bilingual Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, you will perform the following duties:
- Referral Development: Establish referral sources and identify potential customers through consistent outreach
- Applicant Evaluation: Gather and assess medical, educational, vocational, and psycho-social information to determine rehabilitation potential
- Plan Development: Collaborate with customers and stakeholders to create and approve an Individualized Plan for Employment
- Progress Monitoring: Track customer progress, adjust rehabilitation plans, and support movement toward job readiness and placement
- System Documentation: Enter case notes, service authorizations, and required information into CWDS in a timely and accurate manner
- Service Coordination: Arrange evaluations, authorize services, and communicate with vendors, employers, and community partners
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
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 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 within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (before taxes).
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- Successful completion of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program or the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
- A master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, or a closely related field; 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.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.
Other Requirements:
- This particular position also requires the selected candidate to be able to read, write, and speak in Spanish. You may be contacted for a Spanish speaking proficiency evaluation conducted by the Bureau of Talent Acquisition, PA Office of Administration. If contacted, you must pass the speaking evaluation in order to be deemed eligible for this position. Your proficiency in reading and writing in Spanish must be demonstrated during the probationary period to achieve regular status in the position.
- 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.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
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.
- 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.