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Job ID: 31336

Agency: Human Services

Location: Sioux Falls, SD

Salary: $24.11-$30.93 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: H

Closing Date: 05/14/2025

About DHS

The South Dakota Department of Human Services encompasses a broad field dedicated to offering services that support older adults and individuals with disabilities. Our programs promote independence and inclusion through person-centered services. DHS comes together with the common goal of bettering the lives of South Dakotans.

DHS strives to create an environment where people are inspired and challenged to create excellence, grow their skills, discover advancement opportunities, and are rewarded for their contributions. Join our team as we focus on helping our fellow human beings overcome adversity and reach their full potential.

Our Benefits Include

• 15 days/120 Hours of Vacation Leave
• 14 days/112 Hours of Sick Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Employee health insurance includes plan with a $0 premium for employee-only coverage
• Flexible Benefits – Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Critical Illness and more
• Paid Parental & Family Medical Leave
• 6% Fully Matched Retirement Plan
• Reduced Tuition for In-State Colleges/Universities
• Employee Wellness Program
• Continued Education/Training Opportunities
  
  

Click to view additional benefits information: https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/index.html .

Job Summary

See What You Can Do! The South Dakota Rehabilitation Center for the Blind is seeking a dedicated and dynamic Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to join our team. This key role provides specialized services to individuals with vision impairments, helping them build independence and achieve their employment and life goals. As the Center Rehabilitation Counselor, you will play a key leadership role, providing guidance to the Center rehabilitation teachers and coordinating closely with SBVI field staff ensuring seamless communication and collaboration across the teams to ensure consistent, high-quality service delivery for clients. This role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact by providing counseling, support, and encouragement to individuals navigating vision loss—helping them gain confidence, develop essential life and work skills, and pursue a brighter future.

This position will be classified as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, depending on experience and education of the incumbent.

Key Job Functions Include

• coordinating and scheduling skills of blindness referrals to the Center;
• creating the weekly schedule for skills of blindness training;
• covering skills of blindness classes as needed;
• maintaining SDRC apartments;
• finalizing client reports to be sent to referring counselors/teachers;
• providing weekly one-on-one counseling with clients attending the Center;
• leading the weekly peer support group; and
• planning the annual transition week event for transition age SBVI clients from across the state.
  
  

Licenses And Certifications

• Applicants with a Bachelor's Degree can apply as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (GH).
• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) applicants would be eligible to be hired at the Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor level (GI).
  
  

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• a bachelor’s degree in a field of study such as vocational rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, human services, special education, or similar education;
• high ethical standards and an understanding of client confidentiality;
• experience or willingness to learn about eye diseases, vision impairments, and impact on employment and living independently;
• an understanding of adult learning techniques and principles of adult instruction, especially those with visual impairments and other disabilities.
  
  

Knowledge Of

• social, economic, vocational, physical, and emotional issues impacting persons with disabilities;
• counseling theories and techniques useful in facilitating the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities;
• alternative modes of communication for individuals who are deaf, blind, or have cognitive disabilities;
• individual appraisal instruments and their applications;
• technology, including assistive technology, and accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment and independent living settings;
• use of labor market information, the job seeking process and personnel practices that lead to obtaining employment;
• cultural differences when working with people of diverse backgrounds; including those with disabilities;
• technology and accommodations for individuals with disabilities in employment settings;
• services and resources available in the community for individuals with disabilities.
  
  

Skill To

• prepare and deliver clear, informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations;
• listen attentively and convey information to others in a professional manner;
• work effectively with service providers, service organizations, employees, and clients;
• write case notes, reports, and correspondence in a clear and professional manner;
• stay organized to effectively perform all functions of the job in a timely fashion;
• use Microsoft Office products, computerized case management and electronic filing systems.
  
  

Ability To

• understand and interpret medical, psychological, and vocational reports for the purpose of determining eligibility and formulating vocational objectives;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, family members, and various professionals and specialty organizations involved in the rehabilitation process;
• analyze and integrate occupational and labor market data in a given geographical area;
• read and interpret laws, rules, and regulations affecting individuals with disabilities, and apply them to specific situations;
• develop, organize, and maintain a referral network used to provide individuals with disabilities appropriate services and other resources;
• prepare and deliver clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations;
• effectively manage a full caseload of consumers in an independent, orderly, and timely manner.
• serve in a leadership role;
• plan and organize work activities and adjust to multiple demands;
• develop empathic, composed, and appropriate client-counselor relationships;
• provide consultation and instruction to SBVI staff on a statewide basis;
• write meaningful, concise, and accurate correspondence;
• apply decision-making principles to adjust programming on a day-to-day basis;
• develop short term and long term goals and plan utilization of resources;
• work cooperatively with others and participate in a team setting;
• evaluate the clients progress towards their goals for achieving success.
  
  

Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume.

This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information at https://bhr.sd.gov/job-seekers/work-for-state-government/ . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=1KW

You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.

South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources

Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us

http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus

"An Equal Opportunity Employer"