Employment Counselor

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance your career while working with an extraordinary team? At Merakey, we put our heart and soul into everything we do.

We are seeking an Employment Counselor to join our team in Ocean County, NJ.

• Full-time, 40 hours per week
• Monday - Friday 8:30-4:30pm
• Occasional evenings and weekends required
• Earn: $22.12/Hour + Benefits

The Employment Counselor provides individualized vocational support to adults with disabilities referred through the New Jersey Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) and Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).

This position is responsible for assisting individuals in exploring career interests, developing job readiness skills, securing competitive integrated employment, and maintaining long-term job success.

The Employment Specialist works closely with consumers, families, employers, and community partners to identify opportunities, advocate for workplace inclusion, and provide on-the-job training and supports.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Conduct vocational assessments and develop individualized employment plans for DVRS/DDD consumers
• Identify employment barriers and create strategies to address them
• Build relationships with employers, match consumers to suitable jobs, and educate businesses on DVRS/DDD programs
• Provide on‑site job coaching, teach workplace skills, implement accommodations, and offer follow‑along support
• Maintain accurate documentation in SETWORKS, complete billing and reports, and collaborate with families and natural supports
• Provide travel training, assist with route planning, and support community navigation
• Communicate regularly with DVRS counselors, employers, families, and attend required team meetings
• Complete administrative tasks including submitting calendars/timecards, tracking mileage, meeting billable hour requirements, and attending mandatory trainings

Benefits

Merakey offers generous benefits that promote well-being, financial security,

and work-life balance, including:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus access to healthcare advocacy support.
• Retirement plan -- both pre-tax and Roth (after-tax) options available for employee contributions.
• DailyPay -- access your pay when you need it!
• On the Goga well-being platform, featuring self-care tools and resources.
• Access Care.com for backup childcare, elder care, and household services.
• Confidential counseling, legal, and financial services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Tuition reimbursement and educational partnerships.
• Employee discounts and savings programs on entertainment, travel, and lifestyle.
• Access to Pryor Online Learning for free online personal development classes.

Learn More About Our Full Benefits Package

• merakey.org

About Merakey

Merakey is a non-profit provider of developmental, behavioral health, and education services. More than 8,000 employees provide support to nearly 40,000 individuals and families throughout 12 states across the country each year. Click here to watch a video about Merakey.

Merakey strictly follows a zero-tolerance policy for abuse.

Merakey is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer! We deeply value diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ethnic background, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, or disability status.

Moreover, we are committed to creating teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve and encourage applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to apply. Merakey welcomes all Veterans to apply!

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, education, psychology preferred
• High School diploma plus 2 years' experience in human services or education, required
• Valid Driver's license
• Bilingual or Spanish is a plus!
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 30lbs
• Must be able to stand for a period of time