Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I (#MDDU01)
$41,255.00 Yearly Min / $51,569.00 Yearly Mid / $61,883.00 Yearly Max

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II (#MDDU02)
$46,714.00 Yearly Min / $58,393.00 Yearly Mid / $70,072.00 Yearly Max

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor III (#MDDU03)
$52,894.00 Yearly Min / $66,118.00 Yearly Mid / $79,342.00 Yearly Max

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Description of Occupational Work

Employees in this class series provide professional vocational rehabilitative services that assist eligible individuals with physical or mental disabilities to achieve greater independence through employment.

Primary work includes conducting comprehensive assessments, determining eligibility, developing rehabilitation plans, and coordinating or directly providing individualized services such as career counseling, training, or job placement services. In addition, employees assist the client with accessing community resources to help overcome employment barriers and meet other related needs. Work is performed in compliance with agency, state, and federal, laws, rules, regulations, professional mandates, and best practices. A significant aspect of work includes measuring and monitoring employment outcomes and collaborating with employers to increase opportunities for work-based learning, on-the-job training, and apprenticeships to help clients obtain employment.

Note: Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on an agency’s/ department's operational needs and distribution of work. The career ladder incorporates levels I, II, and III; therefore, all positions allocated into the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor career ladder are classified at the III level (the highest level in the career ladder). The I level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels. To implement the career ladder, current employees are assigned to the level for which they meet job requirements and promotional standards. Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with promotional standards for those levels assigned to an agency. The promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, set forth the criteria that identify, measure, and verify successful performance at each level.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, employees can complete job duties of a similar kind not specifically listed here.

Provides specialized vocational rehabilitation services, counseling, and support to clients and family members that promote successful employment and greater independence.

Conducts interviews and completes comprehensive assessments to identify a client’s aptitudes, abilities, education level, interests, and to gather or verify other relevant data.

Obtains and evaluates employment, medical, psychological, psychiatric, social, educational, and vocational information to determine eligibility for and provision of vocational rehabilitation services and identify client needs and appropriate resources.

Develops employment rehabilitation plans that identify services, establish performance measures, and outline goals that align with each client’s abilities and priorities.

Identifies barriers to client employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, or transportation problems, and works with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.

Provides individualized services such as career counseling, guidance, and job training, and participates in job development and placement programs including contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating placement outcomes.

Ensures compliance with agency, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, professional mandates, and best practices.

Coordinates and integrates a variety of services with other agencies, medical facilities, educational institutions, and community resources to meet client employment goals and needs.

Tracks and monitors progress in achieving identified goals and performance measures through regular contact with clients and makes necessary adjustments.

Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports that clearly and accurately document details and outcomes of each case.

Uses automated case management systems and computer software to research, review, analyze, document, and report on client information.

Meets with clients and family members through telephone, email, and in-person interactions.

Communicates and interacts effectively with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, ages, and races.

Performs other related duties as required.

Levels of Work

The level of work for an employee in this class series progresses based on an employee’s independence, size, and scope of responsibilities, complexity of duties, decisions made and required experience.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I

This is the entry level of vocational rehabilitation counseling work, providing services that assist eligible individuals with physical or mental disabilities to achieve greater independence through employment. Employees perform the full range of Essential Functions, completing routine and standardized assignments under close supervision.

Receives close supervision from a technical supervisor; the supervisor provides specific instructions on all assignments, and frequent and detailed review of progress, accuracy, and quality of work. Supervisory advice or assistance is readily available.
Learns vocational rehabilitation counseling methods, techniques, and best practices, including how to assess individual client needs and identify an approach for each case to ensure successful outcomes.
Seeks guidance from higher-level staff on work that is outside a range of specified, acceptable procedures, standards, alternatives, and practices.
Participates with higher-level Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to implement rehabilitation plans by procuring identified goods and services and authorizing and encumbering funds within set parameters.
Communicates effectively with clients and their families, other agencies, medical facilities, educational institutions, and community resources to gather, evaluate, and provide information on less complex cases.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II

This is the full performance level of vocational rehabilitation counseling work, providing services that assist eligible individuals with physical or mental disabilities to achieve greater independence through employment. In addition to work performed at the Vocational Rehabilitative Counselor I level, employees independently perform the full range of Essential Functions under general supervision. Employees at this level perform increasingly complex work for a variety of cases, with a greater degree of independence.

Receives general supervision from a technical supervisor; the supervisor provides general direction on all assignments, and regular review of progress, accuracy, and quality of work. Supervisory advice or assistance is provided as needed.
Independently provides vocational rehabilitation counseling, services, and support to clients, develops rehabilitation plans, and manages a varied caseload.
Determines the appropriate methods of addressing client needs based on the nature and complexity of the client’s disability, circumstances, support system, or other related factors.
Implements rehabilitation plans by procuring identified goods and services and authorizing and encumbering funds within set parameters.
Provides education and training to clients, families, employers, and the public on disabilities, vocational rehabilitation, and related topics. Advocates for client rights and needs within the community.
May lead staff by assigning, monitoring, and reviewing work and providing on-the-job training, guidance, and direction.
Communicates effectively with clients and their families, other agencies, medical facilities, educational institutions, and community resources to resolve challenges in client progress and other issues.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor III

This is the expert level of vocational rehabilitation counseling work, providing services that assist eligible individuals with physical or mental disabilities to achieve greater independence through employment. In addition to work performed at the Vocational Rehabilitative Counselor II level, employees provide expert guidance and direction on vocational rehabilitation counselor work including assisting those with complex disabilities or other circumstances, and training and mentoring Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor staff. Employees at this level also possess the autonomy to authorize and encumber funds subject to normal quality assurance reviews.

Receives minimal supervision from a technical supervisor; the supervisor defines objectives, priorities, and deadlines and assists the employee with unusual situations.
Independently provides vocational rehabilitation counseling, services, and support to clients, develops rehabilitation plans, and manages a complex caseload.
Determines the availability of comparable services and benefits available without cost from other public and private organizations and utilizes such services and benefits when appropriate according to complex statutory standards.
Analyzes and approves reports prepared by staff and resolves complex or unusual challenges in client progress and other issues.
Assists higher-level staff with evaluating case flow, priorities, and performance, and makes recommendations for improvements.
Leads staff by assigning, monitoring, and reviewing work and providing on-the-job training, guidance, and direction.
Provides expert testimony in legal proceedings and facilitates presentations and outreach opportunities promoting vocational rehabilitation services.
Communicates effectively with clients and their families, staff, law enforcement, court officials, social service agencies, and community resource contacts to provide expert technical guidance and recommendations for complex cases.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

The listed knowledge, skills, and abilities give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSAs listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the needs of every position in the class.

Knowledge of the theories, methods, and techniques of vocational rehabilitation counseling including related case assessment, planning, and management.
Knowledge of a broad scope of disabling conditions, associated restrictions/limitations, and potential impact on employment capabilities for both adult and youth populations.
Knowledge of applicable agency, state, and federal laws, rules, regulations, professional mandates, and best practices.
Knowledge of the functions and resources of community and related social service agencies.
Skill in conducting interviews to elicit information and determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
Skill in using computer software and automated information systems to research, review, evaluate, and report on data.
Ability to effectively manage a caseload.
Ability to compile, analyze, and evaluate data to guide vocational rehabilitation approaches, plans, and recommendations.
Ability to coach, mentor, and motivate others.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II requires:

Knowledge of the organization, development, and objectives of vocational rehabilitation programs.
Skill in ensuring compliance with applicable best practices, laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures
Skill in assessing client needs and strengths and determining appropriate services/resources based on findings.
Skill in authorizing and encumbering funds for vocational rehabilitation plans within set parameters.
Skill in tracking and monitoring client progress in achieving identified goals and performance measures.
Ability to recommend appropriate strategies to overcome employment barriers.
Ability to select methods, training, equipment, assistive technology, or other resources to accomplish vocational goals.
Ability to modify and change behavior to improve client outcomes.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor III requires:

Skill in assessing client needs and strengths and determining appropriate services/resources based on findings for cases involving severe disabilities or other circumstances.
Ability to apply advanced casework principles and practices to prepare case plans and manage complex caseloads.
Ability to resolve complex or unusual issues and challenges.
Ability to secure client cooperation and handle crisis situations.
Ability to provide on-the-job training, guidance, and direction to staff.

Job Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor III
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

Possession of a Masters degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social, Health or Behavioral Science, Education, or related field.
Two years’ experience in performing vocational rehabilitation work to assist eligible individuals achieve employment by providing services such as conducting comprehensive assessments, determining eligibility, developing rehabilitation plans, and coordinating or directly providing career counseling, training, or job placement services.
Two years’ experience in case management such as assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual’s human service needs using effective counseling or interviewing techniques as well as other available resources such as service plans or case management systems.
Two years’ experience in preparing case summaries and reports that clearly and accurately document findings, supporting facts and recommendations.
One year of experience in ensuring compliance vocational rehabilitation laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.


CLASS: MDDU01	EST: 7/1/2001	REV: 6/14/2026	FORMERLY JOB CLASS: 79410

CLASS: MDDU02	EST: 7/1/2001	REV: 6/14/2026	FORMERLY JOB CLASS: 79411

CLASS: MDDU03	EST: 7/1/2001	REV: 6/14/2026	FORMERLY JOB CLASS: 79412