Rehabilitation Counselor

• Agency
• Dept of Health and Human Services
• Division

Employ, Indep for People W/Disab - EIPD

• Job Classification Title
• Rehabilitation Counselor (S)
• Position Number
• 60054841
• 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

This Rehabilitation Counselor position is in the Charlotte VR/IL Unit Office in Mecklenburg County and manages an adult mental health caseload. The primary purpose of the Rehabilitation Counselor is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their career and independent living goals by providing supportive counseling, developing individualized plans, and coordinating services to help clients overcome barriers to their disabilities and/or obtain and maintain gainful employment.

Job Responsibilities Include the Following

• Evaluating professional diagnostic data to determine eligibility and rehabilitation services
• Developing a written plan of services in conjunction with the client, parent and/or guardian
• Providing rehabilitative services within the context of a guidance and counseling relationship and providing supportive counseling
• Monitoring clients progress throughout the service delivery process.
• Working directly with community partners to assist individuals with disabilities in becoming suitably employed when appropriate
• Documenting service delivery and case progress in the case management system as required by agency policy.

• Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
• Salary Range: $43,267 -$75,718

Recruitment Range: $57,000 - $67,606

A Sign-On Bonus of $6,000 may be offered to the successful applicant of this posting, contingent on budget approval.

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

• The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred.
• Knowledge of and/or experience working with people with disabilities.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with case management.
• Knowledge of and/or experience working within a professional team setting.

This Position Is Eligible for Trainee Progression

A trainee is an applicant who does not yet meet all the education and experience requirements for the position. Trainees may be hired at a salary below the classification's established salary range and the recruitment range listed in the job posting.

As the trainee obtains the additional education and experience required to meet the minimum qualifications outlined in the classification specification, their salary will be adjusted accordingly.

Trainee Progression Schedule

• 6 Months
• 12 Months
• 18 Months
• 24 Months – Fully Qualified

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00a. m.-5:00p. m.

Position is funded in part through federal funds.

Posting closes at 11:59 p. m. the night before the end date.

Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus

To qualify for the Sign-on Bonus, a newly hired permanent full-time or permanent part-time employee must work 30 to 40 hours per week to be eligible. Those who are eligible and working less than 40 hours a week will receive a prorated rate.

• An employee is not eligible for a sign-on bonus if:
• The employee has held a position in the North Carolina State government, including the judicial system, or the University of North Carolina system, within the last 12 months (the employee shall remain ineligible for 12 months from the separation date).
• The employee has previously received a sign-on bonus from any State agency.
• DHHS has paid any contract placement or recruitment fees.

All Sign-on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found here.

About Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD): The DHHS Division of Employment and Independence for People with Disabilities (EIPD) promotes employment and independence for people with disabilities through customer partnership and community leadership. EIPD helps people with disabilities achieve their goals for competitive employment and more independent living in communities statewide. To learn more about EIPD: youtu. be.

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.

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: 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 5:00 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 naces.org.

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 their 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.

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 curren