Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Hard Of Hearing

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY

DES works with families, community organizations, advocates and state and federal partners to realize our collective vision: A thriving Arizona. DES serves more than 3 million Arizonans. Our Mission is to strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life.

Job Location:

Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS), Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA), 4760 South Park Avenue, Tucson, Arizona 85701.

Salary: $48,510.17 - $55,440.52 annually
Grade: 20
Closing Date:
Open until sufficient resumes are received

At the Department of Economic Security (DES), we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES seeks an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Hard of Hearing. This position reports to the Supervisor and provides vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance to individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have combined vision and hearing loss to address employment impediments and gain skills for employment.

The position serves in a hybrid work environment and may be available for remote work within Arizona (minimum 2 days per week in the office).

• Entry Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor:
  Bachelor’s degree related to rehabilitation counseling or another field reasonably related to working with individuals with disabilities, plus two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Intermediate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor:
  Master’s degree related to rehabilitation counseling and one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities (closely related fields defined by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification).
• Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor:
  Meets Intermediate credential requirements and has a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification.

• Introduce clients to the vocational rehabilitation program, including program eligibility criteria and client rights and responsibilities.
• Review client medical and/or psychological information to identify employment needs and goals as well as available services and resources.
• Provide vocational counseling, career exploration, and labor market exploration to determine suitable employment goals.
• Meet with clients on a one‑on‑one basis to problem‑solve and establish or modify an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
• Provide case management and maintain regular contact clients, service providers, and collaborative programs, and assess services and IPE progress.
• Manage fiscal resources, including authorizing, reviewing, and payment of services.
• Provide case management to clients with complex needs and goals (Intermediate and Senior levels).
• Serve as program liaison for specialized groups.
• Provide guidance to Entry Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (Intermediate level).
• Serve as backup to the Rehabilitation Supervisor and provide case management to clients with high complexity level (Senior level).

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to vocational rehabilitation services.
• At least one year of case management experience.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Broad knowledge of physical, mental, and cognitive disabilities.
• Familiarity with referral and community resources.
• Understanding of computer access technology and assistive aids & devices.
• Knowledge of occupational opportunities and labor market trends.
• Ability to motivate clients to achieve goals.
• Effective oral and written communication.
• Strong time‑management skills.
• Resourceful and problem‑solving abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

• Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL).
• Experience working with persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or deaf‑blind.

• Meet qualification tier requirements.
• Search of Child Protective Services Central Registry and Adult Protective Services Registry.
• Obtain a valid Level One…