Rehabilitation Counselor

Agency
Dept of Health and Human Services
Division
EMPLOY , INDEP FOR PEOPLE W/DISAB - EIPD
Job Classification Title
Rehabilitation Counselor (S)
Position Number
60054886
Grade
NC10
About Us
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.
Description of Work
This position is located in Jackson County, Sylva, and is part of the Sylva VR/IL Unit. The primary purpose of the Rehabilitation Counselor is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their career and independent living goals by providing counseling, developing individualized plans, and coordinating services to help clients overcome barriers to their disabilities and/or obtain and maintain gainful employment.
Job responsibilities include the following:
• Evaluating professional diagnostic data to determine eligibility and required rehabilitation services
• Developing a written plan of services in conjunction with the consumer, parent and/or guardian
• Providing rehabilitation services within the context of a guidance and counseling relationship and providing supportive counseling
• Monitoring the consumer's progress throughout the service delivery process
• Working directly with community partners in order to assist individuals with disabilities in becoming suitably employed
• Documenting service delivery and case progress in the case management system as required by agency policy
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.
Description of Work
The position will be housed in the Jackson County, Sylva Office. The primary purpose of the Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities is to provide vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabling conditions that results in significant vocational impediment. The services provided are determined and based upon individual need and are provided to enable people with such impediments to enter and/or maintain gainful employment at their highest level of vocational potential.
- Evaluate applicants and determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services based on diagnostic and educational data.
- Develop and implement individualized plans for employment (IPE) in collaboration with eligible consumers.
- Provide career counseling, guidance, and job placement assistance tailored to consumer strengths, interests, and limitations.
- Coordinate and monitor the delivery of planned services, including referrals to vocational evaluators, job coaches, and community rehabilitation programs.
- Manage a caseload of people with disabilities, ensuring timely documentation and compliance with agency policies.
- Enter and maintain case records in the Encore system and utilize support staff for administrative tasks.
- Monitor and manage case service budgets, generate authorizations, and process billing to support service delivery.
- Conduct outreach and public relations activities, including employer engagement, job fairs, and community education on vocational rehabilitation services.
- Attend required trainings and contribute to team meetings and unit initiatives to support professional development and agency goals.
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
Salary Range: $43,267.00-$75,718.00Recruitment Range: $57,000.00 - $67,606.00
A trainee is an applicant who has not fully met the education requirements for the position. Salary for a trainee may be set at a lower level than the classification salary range and recruitment range that is listed in the posting with the salary being adjusted up accordingly when the trainee has obtained the necessary additional education and experience to fully meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the classification specification.
Trainee progression:
6 months
12 months
18 months
Fully Qualified / 24 months
*Salary increases are awarded during progression.
Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.
The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred.
Knowledge of or experience in case management
Knowledge of or experience working with people with disabilities or underserved/marginalized populations
Knowledge of or experience working within a team setting
Position is funded in part through federal funds
Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date
About Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD):
The DHHS Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) promotes employment and independence for people with disabilities through customer partnership and community leadership. EIPD helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for competitive employment and more independent living in communities statewide. To learn more about EIPD: https://youtu.be/4QUy2w9B6AU.
Compensation and Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.
Supplemental Contact Information:
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: