Rehabilitation Counselor

Counselor / TherapistNo callFull-Time

Listed compensation

$43k-$76k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago

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
  • 60054943
  • 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 part of the Hickory VR/IL Unit and is located in Taylorsville, NC at Alexander Central High School. a satellite office of the Hickory Unit. This position is responsible for providing coverage for a transition/school caseload.

The primary purpose of the Rehabilitation Counselor is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their career and independent living goals by providing 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 required rehabilitation services
  • Developing and implementing a written rehabilitation plan of services in conjunction with the client, parent, and/or guardian
  • Providing rehabilitation services within the context of a guidance and counseling relationship and providing supportive counseling
  • Managing a caseload and documenting service delivery and case progress in the case management system as required by agency policy
  • Monitoring clients progress throughout the service delivery process
  • Engaging in outreach and public relations activities, including employer engagement, job fairs, and community education on vocational rehabilitation services
  • Attending required trainings and contribute to team meetings and unit initiatives to support professional development and agency goals

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

  • Salary Range: $43,267 -$75,718
  • Recruitment Range: $57,000 - $67,606

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 or experience working within a team setting

A trainee is an applicant who has not fully met the education requirements for the position. Salary for a trainee may be set at a lower level than the classification salary range and recruitment range that is listed in the posting with the salary being adjusted up accordingly when the trainee has obtained the necessary additional education and experience to fully meet the minimum qualifications as outlined in the classification specification.

Trainee Progression

  • 6 months
  • 12 months
  • 18 months
  • Fully Qualified / 24 months

Position is funded in part through federal funds.

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

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 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.

Recruiter

Lynn Cullipher

Contact

DHHS Workday Support Form

Key Responsibilities

The Rehabilitation Counselor assists individuals with disabilities in achieving career and independent living goals by developing individualized plans and coordinating necessary services. Responsibilities include evaluating diagnostic data, managing a caseload, and engaging in outreach activities to support vocational rehabilitation.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related human services field from an accredited institution. Alternatively, current certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor is accepted to meet the minimum qualifications.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Eligibility determinationIndividualized service planningClient progress monitoringJob fair coordinationDocumentationTeam collaboration

Rehabilitation Counseling — Counselor Career Context

The cost-of-living index for North Carolina is 94.3 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$60k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $63k in an average-cost state. 59.2% of North Carolina clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Of the 50 active Rehabilitation Counseling listings this role was benchmarked against, 32% are remote, 44% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

What does the Rehabilitation Counseling market look like in North Carolina?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.4 / 10 · above average in counselingranked against 12,858 Counseling listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$63k in purchasing powerNorth Carolina index 94.3 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
All rehabilitation counseling listings in North Carolina477 active12,913 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 32% remote · 44% no call · 60% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedNorth Carolina counselor listings (all specialties): 14% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 16% offer loan repayment477 active listings, Nov 2026
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services#8 of 11 for payTop Employers work-life index
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (12,858 Counseling listings), Top Employers work-life index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page. North Carolina figures use all rehabilitation counselings: too few North Carolina Rehabilitation Counseling postings state pay.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Rehabilitation Counselor at North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Counseling — ranked against 12,858 active Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.

Top Counselor Jobs

25 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

25 jobs · 19 employers
10
<$70k
6
$70k-85k
4
$85k-100k
1
$100k
4
$115k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

21 jobs · 19 employers
401k / retirement match
90% this job
Loan repayment
19%
CME allowance
19%
PSLF eligible
19%
Sign-on bonus
14%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

Gotham Enterprises · Cartersburg, Indiana

$115k-$120k
#2

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC)

Gotham Enterprises · Pinehurst, North Carolina

$115k-$120k
#3

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor (LCMHC, LCSW, LMFT)

$80k-$115k
#4

Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC, LCSW, LMFT)

$80k-$115k
+ 23 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 6.4
Better work-life than 60% of Counseling listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 12,858 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No call
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services logo

About North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services

Government Administration
Raleigh, North Carolina
501-1,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Health Insurance
Standard and Supplemental Retirement Plans
NCFlex Program
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Community Service Leave
Paid Parental Leave

Living in Taylorsville

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$319k≈ 7.4× annual pay
Median resident rent
$496/mo≈ 14% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
28 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
88.5
State income tax
Up to 4.8%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.