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Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) Position Overview

If you are looking for a fulfilling career assisting individuals with disabilities within your community, you are in the right place! As a VRC, you will maintain a caseload of individuals with disabilities who are looking to gain job-related skills and competitive integrated employment (CIE). You will provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) counseling to participants with disabilities and work with their support teams to connect them with related programs, look at labor market information and job opportunities, discuss employment barriers and accommodations, and more. Join our dynamic team and make a real difference in the lives of Ohioans!

Candidates with the following certifications are eligible to make $32.69/hour:

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Duties

• Interview individuals with disabilities to gather detailed information about their work history, medical situation, and more. 
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services. 
• Interpret diagnostic information to determine the needs of the participant. 
• Counsel individuals and their families concerning strengths and limitations based upon diagnostic information. 
• Counsel individuals toward increased functioning and mutually agreeable vocational goals as well as collaborate with community providers to assist participants in achieving goals. 
• Develop comprehensive individualized plans for employment (IPE) for participants. 

A Successful Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

• Is highly organized with efficient time management skills. 
• Is able to conduct research, analyze technical material and results. 
• Has outstanding public relations and customer service skills.
• Has excellent interviewing techniques & computer skills.
• Is able to work collaboratively and develop rapport.
• Has an understanding of the local labor market. 

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities is not an E-Verify employer and will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Division Overview

OOD's Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist them to attain and maintain competitive integrated employment. OOD works with adults seeking to enter the workforce or retain a job, and with youth beginning at age 14 to assist them as they transition from high school into college and/or the workplace. For more information click here to view the OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Fact Sheet.

Pay Information 

Starting salary will be step 1, subject to law or union contract requirements. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. There are cost of living increases to these rates each year and additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Months of Employment

At Hire

6 months

18 months

30 months

42 months

54 Months 

Pay Range

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6 

1199 11

Hourly

$29.95

$31.34

$32.69

$34.35

$36.01

$37.75

Annual

$62,296.00

$65,187.00

$67,995.00

$71,448.00

$74,901.00

$78,520.00

Location Requirements

Position availability in the following locations:

• Canton BSVI/BVR (816 30th Street Northwest, Canton, OH 44709)
• Youngstown BSVI/BVR (242 Federal Plaza West, Youngstown, OH 44503)
• OOD Newark (195 Union Street Suite A1, Newark, OH 43055)
• Zanesville BE/BSVI/BVR (601 Underwood Street, Suite C, Zanesville, OH 43701)
• Mansfield BSVI/BVR (800 Park Avenue West, Suite 105, Mansfield, OH 44906)

• Wooster BVR (2148 Eagle Pass, Wooster, OH 44691)

Our roles are primarily in-office to encourage collaboration and connection, however some locations may have adjusted on-site requirements based on space availability at this time. Reporting details will be provided by the supervisor before the start date. Employees must reside at a location that allows for reasonable response time to workplace reporting requirements.

Daytime travel within Ohio may be required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver's license.

Applications and Selections

Please ensure your online application and work experience clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered. Transcripts are REQUIRED for consideration for this position. You must submit a copy of your unofficial transcript by the posting deadline by attaching directly on the Additional Attachments section of the application (Step 7) or via email to OOD.TalentAcquisition@ood.ohio.gov.

Applicants can check their application status and all vacancy-related email correspondence on "My Jobpage." On the Careers.Ohio.Gov job search webpage, once signed in the link to My Jobpage is displayed under the TeamOhio logo.Applicants who require technical assistance (e.g., issues logging in or other system-related issues) should contact careers@ohio.gov. 

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the SEIU/1199 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The selection process consists of an online assessment and a remote structured interview.All communications are sent via email. Candidates should make sure their account contains an email address that is checked regularly including checking junk and/or spam.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities will not sponsor applicants for work visas. 

Background Check

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration. 

All final applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to complete and pass a urinalysis to test for restricted substances as a condition of employment. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana. An applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year. 

-Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, business administration, human resources, economics or related rehabilitation or human services area AND 24 months experience direct work with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center or 24 months providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities.

-OR Master's degree in in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, or related rehabilitation or human services area.

-OR Master's degree in business administration, human resources, law, management, public administration or related field which provides competence in the employment sector and/or the field of disability AND 12 months direct work experience with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center) or 12 months experience providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities.

Note: Education & experience per Code of Federal Regulations Title 34-Subtitle B-Chapter III-Part 361-Subpart B-361.18 
Job Skills: Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling and Rehabilitation, Human Services, Public Relations, Budgeting, Organizing and Planning, Collaboration, Time Management, Intercultural Communication, Analyzation