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=2600022W

Agency Contact Name and Information: Michelle DiGrandi, [email protected]

Schedule: Full-time
Work Hours: 8:00AM - 5:00PM M-F
Classified Indicator: Classified
Union: 1199

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).

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage
Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)
*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications
-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 and/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 

Position availability in the following locations:

Canton BSVI/BVR (816 30th Street Northwest, Canton, OH 44709)
Zanesville BE/BSVI/BVR (601 Underwood Street, Suite C, Zanesville, OH 43701)
Mansfield BSVI/BVR (800 Park Avenue West, Suite 105, Mansfield, OH 44906)
Wooster BVR (2148 Eagle Pass, Wooster, OH 44691)

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. 

Agency Overview

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!