Become a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and help empower individuals with disabilities to live and work independently in their communities! As part of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services, you will apply your understanding and knowledge of vocational rehabilitation services to help the people we serve find and keep gainful employment. This role is part of our Altoona District Office, in Blair County, and serves a caseload coverage area in Center County. We help people discover new paths and build confidence as they work towards their goals. Apply now to experience the satisfaction of public service while enjoying professional career growth and changing lives with us!

This position focuses on connecting with vocational rehabilitation customers and coordinating comprehensive services to help individuals with disabilities make and achieve employment goals. Work involves gathering information, collaborating with customers and other professionals, and serving as a steady, supportive resource. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, you will perform the following duties:

Referral Development: Collaborate and build relationships with community sources in an assigned area to identify potential vocational rehabilitation customers
Applicant Interviews: Conduct comprehensive face-to-face interviews with potential customers to gather details about their disabling condition, education and work history, and other relevant data
Eligibility Determination: Evaluate data to determine each person’s eligibility for vocational rehabilitation based on law and policy, professional judgment, consultation with other professionals, and the customer’s participation; explain requirements, rules, rights, and next steps
Plan Coordination: Work with the customer to identify their vocational goals and establish an individualized plan for employment; arrange for and coordinate plan related services and expenditures; monitor, evaluate, and document customer progress
Job Counseling: Provide support and help customers develop soft skills, connect with job openings, and develop positive employer relationships
Progress Documentation: Prepare case records and reports; update notes, service information, and required forms within our web-based system to maintain electronic casefiles.

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, with a 30-miute lunch
Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, after 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. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
Note: The headquarters office location for this position is in Blair County and the caseload coverage area is in Center County.
Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538 (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
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, 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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

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.

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.

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