Rehabilitation Counselor - Waterloo

Make an Impact. Empower Careers. Strengthen Communities.

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor to join our team at the IowaWORKS office in Waterloo, Iowa
. This role is more than a job- it is an opportunity to partner with individuals with disabilities as they build meaningful, sustainable employment and greater independence.

If you are motivated by purpose-driven work, collaboration, and helping others reach their full potential, we encourage you to apply.

• Location:
  
  3420 University Ave., Waterloo IA.
• Schedule:
  
  Full-time | Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
• Work Flexibility:
  Hybrid telework and alternate schedules available after six months of employment
• Start Date:
  
  Immediate

New Hires will start at base starting wage:$26.86/hour, $2,148.80 bi-weekly, $55,868.80 annually

• Pay Grade: 28
• Rehabilitation Counselor positions with a bachelor’s degree, the position will be capped at 85%. pay range

As a Rehabilitation Counselor, you will provide counseling, coordination, and comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. You will guide participants through career exploration, planning, and placement while collaborating with families, schools, providers, and employers to remove barriers and create pathways to competitive, integrated employment.

• Deliver Pre-Employment Transition Services to potentially eligible students
• Interview applicants and support teams; gather medical, psychological, educational, and social information
• Determine eligibility and Significance of Disability classifications
• Develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) tailored to each participant’s goals, interests, and abilities
• Provide counseling and guidance to support informed career decisions and long-term employment success
• Coordinate and authorize services necessary to achieve employment goals
• Interpret and apply federal regulations and agency policies consistently across cases
• Maintain accurate and timely case documentation within the case management system
• Collaborate with internal teams to meet compliance standards, time frames, and agency goals

• Build partnerships with employers, community providers, schools, and workforce organizations
• Educate businesses on disability inclusion and reasonable accommodations
• Develop on-the-job training, work-based learning, and apprenticeship opportunities
• Collaborate with the Iowa Workforce Development Business Engagement Team for employer outreach
• Support job carving and customized employment aligned with participant strengths and goals

• Travel statewide to schools, rehabilitation facilities, businesses, and community locations
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities
• Successfully complete a criminal background check through the Iowa Department of Public Safety

• Strong counseling, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to analyze information, exercise sound judgment, and document decisions clearly
• Commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusive employment practices
• Collaborative mindset and comfort working with diverse stakeholders
• Organizational skills and attention to compliance and timelines

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) operates within Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve independence through employment.

IWD is a statewide agency focused on connecting job seekers with opportunities and supporting employers in building strong, skilled work forces. Through IowaWORKS centers and partner offices across the state, IWD delivers demand-driven workforce services that strengthen Iowa’s economy and communities.

Joining IVRS means becoming part of a mission-driven public service team with a comprehensive benefits package:

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Generous Paid Time Off- vacation, sick leave (no accrual cap), and nine paid holidays
• IPERS Retirement Plan plus optional deferred compensation savings
• Flexible Spending Accounts for…