About Job

Description of Work

Position is funded in part through federal funds.

We will be recruiting for two (2) positions with this job posting: 60042968 and 60043212.

Your application will be considered for both positions.

If you are looking for a fulfilling career assisting individuals with disabilities within your community,
YOU are in the right place!

Recruitment Range: $49,275 - $59,000

***$6,000 SIGN-ON BONUSES NOW BEING OFFERED***

The primary purpose of this Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor is to identify blind or visually impaired persons whose disability creates a substantial impediment to employment and enable them to obtain employment. This is achieved through the provision of a planned program of rehabilitation services including job development and placement services and direct interaction with employers in the community to assist the person in achieving employment commensurate with his/her skills, choice, interests, and capabilities. The counselor in this position is primarily responsible for providing and coordinating these services to individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

Job duties include but are not limited to:

Making constant efforts to explain the scope and range of vocational rehabilitation services to potential consumers and to potential referrals sources to include ophthalmologists, optometrists and Departments of Social Services within the counties served
Completing the application and preliminary assessment process that includes initial interview and diagnostic study
Determining consumer eligibility for services and engaging in Individualized Employment Plan [IPE] development after assisting in setting a job goal that is commensurate with consumer abilities, capabilities and interests
Coordinating or authorizing services to promote consumer employment
Job development and placement are provided and/or coordinated by the counselor in accordance with consumer job goal
Outreach is to be executed in efforts to connect with, educate and re-educate eye care providers and to improve the numbers of appropriate referrals to the agency from various sources in the community
Case Finding/Plan Development/Provision of Services is to be executed with appropriate referrals in accordance with federal eligibility criteria

**Graduating students with applicable degrees with an anticipated graduation date by June 30, 2025, will be considered and should submit an unofficial copy of their transcripts.**

**Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus**
Qualified applicants must be selected from the candidate pool of this posting and meet the State policy following requirements:

Sign-on Bonus Eligibility:

Only candidates for probationary, permanent, or time-limited positions may be eligible for sign-on or retention bonuses. To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including without limitation the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system.

Employees eligible for a sign-on bonus must work at least 20 hours per week. Bonuses for eligible employees working in part-time positions will be prorated based on hours worked.

**Sign-on Bonus is 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 the NC Division of Services for the Blind (DSB):

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf- blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.

About the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):

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.

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. Visit website for benefits.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Listed below are the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. These KSAs, along with the minimum education and experience listed, are required in order to be deemed "eligible" for the position therefore you must provide supporting information, within the body of your application, to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed.

Qualified applicants must possess, and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

Knowledge of or experience in case management
Knowledge of or experience working with people with disabilities
Knowledge of or experience working with a team of professionals to help a client meet a goal

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

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 Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from an appropriately accredited institution;
OR
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.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who 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: https://www.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.

It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

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 a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard, who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.
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.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The 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 https://www.naces.org/members. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

NOTE: Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov.

For technical issues with your application, please call the NeoGov Help Line at 877-204-4442. If you have a technical issue with your Government Jobs account, please call their Help Line at 1-855-524-5627.

NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments: There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.

For permanent and time-limited appointments:
Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.