Rehabilitation Counselor

Title: Rehabilitation Counselor

Location: Wake County United States

Job Description:

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

EMPLOY , INDEP FOR PEOPLE W/DISAB - EIPD

Job Classification Title

Rehabilitation Counselor (S)

Position Number

60054726

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

The Rehabilitation Counselor position designs and delivers vocational rehabilitation or independent living services for individuals with one or more disabilities by evaluating diagnostic data, determining eligibility and functional capabilities, and developing comprehensive, client‑centered service plans. The role functions as an independent practitioner responsible for administering a full range of case services, including case activations, written plan development, encumbering funds and monitoring case budgets, information and referral, supportive and vocational counseling, and case closures.

The counselor manages a diverse caseload across disability categories such as mental health, intellectual and cognitive disabilities, substance use, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, and transition‑age youth. Work is performed in collaboration with clients, families, and specialty providers and may include overseeing paraprofessional support, job development, direct job placement, and activities that support competitive employment or improved independent living outcomes.

Key Duties Include:

• Conduct diagnostic and functional reviews to determine client eligibility and service needs, documenting findings to inform rehabilitation or independent living plans.
• Develop individualized written service plans in collaboration with clients, specifying services, timelines, and measurable goals aligned to functional capabilities.
• Activate cases and coordinate information and referral services to connect clients with appropriate community resources and specialty providers.
• Encumber case service funds and monitor budgets throughout the service cycle to ensure accurate expenditure tracking and fiscal compliance.
• Provide supportive and vocational counseling that aligns services with client capabilities and targeted employment or independent living outcomes.
• Manage caseloads spanning multiple disability categories; track progress and adjust plans based on client response and changing needs.
• Perform or oversee job development and direct job placement activities, including employer outreach to support competitive employment goals.
• Guide and direct paraprofessional or support staff in case monitoring, client service coordination, and documentation standards.
• Provide direct instruction to clients to build skills, knowledge, and attitudes that support employment or independent living.
• Mentor new counselors, practicum students, or interns when assigned, ensuring consistent application of casework methodology and service delivery practices.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Grade Range: $43,267.00 - $75,718.00

Recruitment Range: $43,267.00 - $64,000.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

• Demonstrated expertise interpreting medical and psychological diagnostic data to assess functional capabilities and support development of client service plans, applying intermediate‑level analytical proficiency.

• Proven skill developing and implementing written rehabilitation or independent living plans that integrate diagnostic findings, defined service activities, and measurable client goals.

• Proficiency administering case service budgets, including encumbering funds, tracking expenditures, and maintaining accurate fiscal documentation throughout the service cycle.

• Extensive experience delivering supportive and vocational counseling aligned to individualized client needs, demonstrated through structured guidance that advances employment or independent living outcomes.

• Documented capability coordinating multidisciplinary service delivery by maintaining effective communication with clients, family members, specialty providers, and support staff involved in case management.

This Position Is 100% Federally Funded

This Position Is Eligible / Possible for a Hybrid Work Option

About the Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD):

The EIPD helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for competitive employment and more independent living in communities statewide. In collaboration with each client, we help assess skills, interests and abilities and choose a goal for competitive employment or independence. Based on the client's needs, we create a customized plan of services and supports to help them achieve that goal.

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. Visit the website for State Benefits.

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:  https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.

• If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.  Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the closing date.

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations, and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans' and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from an appropriately accredited institution; or a master's degree in a related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution

OR

A current certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.