Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - East Central Region

*For more information and to apply by the posting deadline, please visit: https://dasstateoh.taleo.net/careersection/oh_ext/jobdetail.ftl?job=2500066Z

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - East Central Region
 (2500066Z)
 
Organization: Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
Agency Contact Name and Information: Patrick Flynn, [email protected]
Unposting Date: Aug 22, 2025, 11:59:00 PM
Work Location: OOD Mansfield BSVI/BVR: 800 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio 44906
 
Compensation: $29.08/hour (unless required by legislation)
Schedule: Full-time
Work Hours: 8:00AM - 5:00PM M-F
Classified Indicator: Classified
Union: 1199

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) empowers Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Our agency works with partners in businesses, education, and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; helps Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency determining medical and vocational Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in Ohio. We help connect the people of Ohio who have disabilities with the resources, support, and opportunities that fit their unique needs, abilities, and interests so that they can find and retain meaningful employment. To learn more about what we do, please visit our website at ood.ohio.gov.

Follow us on social media @OhioOOD!

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) Position Overview

If you are looking for a fulfilling career assisting individuals with disabilities within your community, you are in the right place! As a VRC, you will maintain a caseload of individuals with disabilities who are looking to gain job-related skills and competitive integrated employment (CIE). You will provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) counseling to participants with disabilities and work with their support teams to connect them with related programs, look at labor market information and job opportunities, discuss employment barriers and accommodations, and more. Join our dynamic team and make a real difference in the lives of Ohioans!

Candidates with the following certifications are eligible to make $31.74/hour:

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Duties

• Interview individuals with disabilities to gather detailed information about their work history, medical situation, and more.
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Interpret diagnostic information to determine the needs of the participant.
• Counsel individuals and their families concerning strengths and limitations based upon diagnostic information.
• Counsel individuals toward increased functioning and mutually agreeable vocational goals as well as collaborate with community providers to assist participants in achieving goals.
• Develop comprehensive individualized plans for employment (IPE) for participants.

A Successful Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

• Is highly organized with efficient time management skills.
• Is able to conduct research, analyze technical material and results.
• Has outstanding public relations and customer service skills.
• Has excellent interviewing techniques & computer skills.
• Is able to work collaboratively and develop rapport.
• Has an understanding of the local labor market. 

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Division Overview

OOD’s Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist them to attain and maintain competitive integrated employment. OOD works with adults seeking to enter the workforce or retain a job, and with youth beginning at age 14 to assist them as they transition from high school into college and/or the workplace. For more information click here to view the OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Fact Sheet.

Location Requirements

Position availability in the following location:

• OOD Mansfield BSVI/BVR, 800 Park Avenue West, Mansfield, Ohio 44906

We are increasing our in-office presence to 5 days per week across all OOD locations as space permits. The transition timeline for each office is being determined and more information will be provided by the supervisor before the start date. Employees must reside at a location that allows for reasonable response time to workplace reporting requirements.

Daytime travel within Ohio may be required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver’s license.

Applications and Selections

Please ensure your online application and work experience clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered. Transcripts are REQUIRED for consideration for this position. You must submit a copy of your unofficial transcript by the posting deadline by attaching directly on the Additional Attachments section of the application (Step 7) or via email to [email protected].

“See resume” is not a substitution for completing work experience and/or supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must also be supported by the work experience/education sections of the application.

Applicants can check their application status and all vacancy-related email correspondence on “My Jobpage.” On the Careers.Ohio.Gov job search webpage, once signed in the link to My Jobpage is displayed under the TeamOhio logo. Applicants who require technical assistance (e.g., issues logging in or other system-related issues) should contact [email protected]. 

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the SEIU/1199 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The selection process consists of an online assessment and a remote structured interview. All communications are sent via email. Candidates should make sure their account contains an email address that is checked regularly including checking junk and/or spam.

-Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, business administration, human resources, economics or related rehabilitation or human services area AND 24 months experience direct work with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center or 24 months providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities.

-OR Master’s degree in in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, or related rehabilitation or human services area.

-OR Master’s degree in business administration, human resources, law, management, public administration or related field which provides competence in the employment sector &/or the field of disability AND 12 months direct work experience with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center) or 12 months experience providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities.

Note: Education & experience per Code of Federal Regulations Title 34-Subtitle B-Chapter III-Part 361-Subpart B-361.18 
 
Job Skills: Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling and Rehabilitation, Human Services, Public Relations, Budgeting, Organizing and Planning, Collaboration, Time Management, Intercultural Communication, Analyzation