Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

The Position
The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor position with the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services offers a chance to help people move toward meaningful careers. In this role, you will join our team in providing professional counseling to individuals with disabilities, helping them develop the skills they need to set and achieve employment goals. You will work in a collaborative environment that values encouragement and steady progress.

This position specializes in providing VR services to individuals with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, as well as other individuals with disabilities as needed, and typically works with high schools, service providers, and other organizations in Erie, Crawford, Venango, and Clarion counties.

• Referral Coordination:
  Collaborate with schools, county offices, support organizations, and community agencies to identify and contact eligible individuals.
• Case Interviews:
  Conduct face‑to‑face interviews to gather important background information, explain program eligibility requirements, and scope of services.
• Service Coordination:
  Develop individualized employment plans by discussing vocational goals with each customer and their team of parents, guardians, and support professionals; arrange for and approve expenditures; and collaborate with external organizations to ensure delivery of all services.
• Ongoing Support:
  Provide counseling, guidance, and follow‑up to ensure progress toward the established employment goals.
• Case Management:
  Maintain accurate electronic case files, enter service information, prepare reports, and complete required documentation.

• Full‑time employment.
• Work hours typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday‑Friday. Hours are negotiable – a 7.5‑hour workday with a 30‑ or 60‑minute lunch period depending on work hours. The selected candidate may be eligible for Alternate Work Schedules (AWS).
• Telework:
  Opportunity to work from home (telework) part‑time after successful completion of the training period. Telework requires a securely configured high‑speed internet connection and an approved Pennsylvania location. If unable to telework, the candidate may report to the headquarters office. The ability to telework is subject to change.
• Salary:
  New employees to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania begin at the starting annual salary of $59,345 (before taxes).

• Successful completion of the Commonwealth’s Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title), or
• Possession of an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, or
• Proof of approval to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification examination and completion of a master’s degree, or
• A master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, business administration, human resources, public administration, or a closely related field.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
• Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment requires submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.