Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Trainee (Adult, Student and Youth Caseload) - #ARS00403, ARS00953 (Previous applicants need not reapply)

Title: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Trainee (Adult, Student and Youth Caseload) - #ARS00403, ARS00953 (Previous applicants need not reapply)

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: See Notation

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs

Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs

Agency Website: https://www.dars.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

 

If making a real impact on the lives of clients energizes you, we want you on our team! We’re hiring two positions—a Counselor I (Trainee) and a Counselor II—giving qualified candidates options that fit their experience. Join a mission‑driven organization, work with a supportive and inclusive team, and enjoy outstanding state benefits.

 

Job Duties:

In partnership with people with disabilities, the Division of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), a division of the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), assists individuals with disabilities in making informed choices that maximize their employment opportunities through coordinated service delivery. DRS staff support the Virginia Career Works Network in delivering quality workforce services to individuals with disabilities who want to work, as well as to employers seeking to hire them.

We are seeking to fill two positions: a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor / Trainee (Adult Caseload) and a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor / Trainee (Student and Youth). These roles provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance, case management, and comprehensive service delivery to help individuals with disabilities achieve competitive integrated employment (CIE). Employees must adhere to all federal and state regulations and agency policies and procedures, including WIOA Title IV requirements.

Position #ARS00403: Serves adults in Culpeper, Orange, Madison, Rappahannock, and Fauquier Counties. This position works with adult clients with varying disabilities.

Position #ARS00953: Serves the five counties in the Culpeper region. There are nine high schools in this area, and two counties have participated in the VCU Pre-ETS grant. Of the 397 currently open clients in Culpeper, 122 are VR SWD and 74 are PE SWD, meaning this counselor may potentially serve 196 cases.

Other duties and special projects may be assigned as needed or directed by the supervisor.

 

Notation
The agency has the option of filling this job at the Counselor I (Trainee) level if fully qualified applicants are interviewed and not selected. The minimum for a Counselor I (Trainee) is $50,107. The minimum for a Counselor II (fully qualified) is $ 56,372.

To be considered as a Counselor I (Trainee), individuals must have a bachelor’s degree in a human services or related field and applicable work experience. An individual hired as a Counselor Trainee will be required to sign a Conditions of Employment and must already be enrolled in a program to obtain a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or must enroll within six months of being hired in an academic program to obtain a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a closely related field.

Minimum Qualifications:

In accordance with 34 CFR 361.10, 34 CFR 361.11, and Virginia’s Combined State Plan under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), applicants are required to have a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling or a closely related field. Applicants within a semester of completing their master's may also be considered. Transcripts must accompany the application, and they must display the date that the degree was awarded.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Considerable knowledge of the social, economic, medical, vocational, and emotional issues impacting persons with disabilities; interviewing, evaluation, and counseling techniques; methods and tools for career counseling and exploration.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of vocational service delivery to persons with disabilities.

Skills/Abilities:

• Skilled in Windows based computer usage and the ability to learn proprietary software for case management/case documentation purposes.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with customers, co-workers, and the professional community.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple and sometimes unrelated responsibilities in a timely manner; to prioritize duties and exercise responsible judgment with minimal supervision.
  

 

Additional Considerations:

• Current CRC credential. 
• Knowledge of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance requirements.

 

Special Instructions:

Master’s or bachelor's level transcripts or copy of current certification, if applicable, must accompany the application. Please note that the transcripts must display the date that the degree was awarded. Copies of degree are not accepted in lieu of the above.

Master’s or bachelor's level transcripts or copy of current certification, if applicable, must accompany the application. Please note that the transcripts must display the date that the degree was awarded.

• This has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2-1201.1. 
• A fingerprint-based criminal history check will be required of the finalist candidate. 
• The selected candidate must complete a Statement of Personal Economic Interests as a condition of employment (Va. Code § 2.2-3114).
  
  

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, Americorp, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Email: Recruitment@dars.virginia.gov

 

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.