Applicants for this position MUST be proficient in American Sign Language.

Prior to appointment, applicants will be required to demonstrate fluent communication skills in American Sign Language or other non-verbal means of communication (e.g. manually coded-English, etc.) A person without fluent skills will not be eligible for appointment.

This vacancy is posted ongoing and is considered open until filled.

Rehabilitation Counselor For The Deaf (RCD) Position Overview

As an RCD, you will learn about rehabilitation counseling, programs related to individuals with disabilities, labor market job opportunities, and employment barriers & accommodations.

RCDs help Deaf Ohioans with employment. The job has a lot of variety, so every day can look different. On one day, an RCD may be working with a Deaf high school student, helping them learn about the world of work and talking about self-advocacy. On another day, an RCD may be meeting with a person who has been at the same job for the last 15 years and is interested in getting promoted.

RCDs help Deaf Ohioans think about what jobs will be a good fit for them, help them develop a plan to prepare for that job, and then help them get and keep that job. RCDs collaborate with a lot of community partners, like the Community Centers for the Deaf (CCDs), local schools and training programs, and the county Ohio Means Jobs (OMJ) centers.

RCDs are managed by a supervisor who knows sign language, and all team members know sign language as well. OOD has a team of staff interpreters to support the work of the RCDs.

Classification: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Candidates with the following certifications are eligible to make $31.74/hour:

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW).

Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf Duties

• Interview individuals with disabilities to gather detailed information about their work history, medical situation, and more.
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Interpret diagnostic information to determine the needs of the participant.
• Counsel individuals and their families concerning strengths and limitations based upon diagnostic information.
• Counsel individuals toward increased functioning and mutually agreeable vocational goals as well as collaborate with community providers to assist participants in achieving goals.
• Develop comprehensive individualized plans for employment (IPE) for participants.
  
  

A Successful Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf

• Is highly organized with efficient time management skills.
• Is able to conduct research, analyze technical material and results.
• Has outstanding public relations and customer service skills.
• Has excellent interviewing techniques & computer skills.
• Is able to work collaboratively and develop rapport.
• Has an understanding of the local labor market.
  
  

Bureau Of Vocational Rehabilitation Division Overview

OOD’s Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation (BVR) and Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) provide vocational rehabilitation (VR) services to eligible individuals with disabilities to assist them to attain and maintain competitive integrated employment. OOD works with adults seeking to enter the workforce or retain a job, and with youth beginning at age 14 to assist them as they transition from high school into college and/or the workplace. For more information, download the OOD Vocational Rehabilitation Fact Sheet.

Pay Information

Starting salary will be step 1, subject to law or union contract requirements. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. There are cost of living increases to these rates each year and additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Months of Employment

At Hire

6 months

18 months

30 months

42 months

54 Months

Pay Range

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

1199 11

Hourly

$29.08

$30.43

$31.74

$33.35

$34.96

$36.65

Annual

$60,486.00

$63,294.00

$66,019.00

$69,368.00

$72,717.00

$76,232.00

Location Requirements

Position availability in the following locations:

• Dayton Service Office: 3401 Park Center Drive, Suite 100, Dayton, OH 45414
• Woodward: 11150 Woodward Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45241
  
  

We are increasing our in-office presence to 5 days per week across all OOD locations as space permits. The transition timeline for each office is being determined and more information will be provided by the supervisor before the start date. Employees must reside at a location that allows for reasonable response time to workplace reporting requirements.

Daytime travel within Ohio may be required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver’s license.

Applications and Selections

Please ensure your online application and work experience clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered. Transcripts are REQUIRED for consideration for this position. You must submit a copy of your unofficial transcript by the posting deadline by attaching directly on the Additional Attachments section of the application (Step 7) or via email to OOD.TalentAcquisition@ood.ohio.gov. 

Applicants can check their application status and all vacancy-related email correspondence on “My Jobpage.” On the Careers.Ohio.Gov job search webpage, once signed in the link to My Jobpage is displayed under the TeamOhio logo. Applicants who require technical assistance (e.g., issues logging in or other system-related issues) should contact careers@ohio.gov. 

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the SEIU/1199 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The selection process consists of an online assessment and a remote structured interview. All communications are sent via email. Candidates should make sure their account contains an email address that is checked regularly including checking junk and/or spam.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Background Check

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to complete and pass a urinalysis to test for restricted substances as a condition of employment. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana. An applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.

Applicants for this position MUST be proficient in American Sign Language.

• Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, business administration, human resources, economics or related rehabilitation or human services area AND 24 months experience direct work with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center or 24 months providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities.
• OR Master’s degree in in vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, or related rehabilitation or human services area.
• OR Master’s degree in business administration, human resources, law, management, public administration or related field which provides competence in the employment sector &/or the field of disability AND 12 months direct work experience with individuals with disabilities (e.g. Independent Living Center) or 12 months experience providing direct service or advocacy activities with individuals with disabilities.
  
  

Note: Education & experience per Code of Federal Regulations Title 34-Subtitle B-Chapter III-Part 361-Subpart B-361.18

Job Skills: Vocational Rehabilitation, American Sign Language, Counseling and Rehabilitation, Human Services, Public Relations, Budgeting, Organizing and Planning, Collaboration, Time Management, Intercultural Communication, Analyzation

Organization

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities

Agency Contact Name and Information

Sarah Baty, OOD.TalentAcquisition@ood.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Work Location

Woodward

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Hamilton County-Cincinnati

Other Locations

United States of America-OHIO-Montgomery County-Dayton

Compensation

$29.08/hour (unless required by legislation)

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

8:00AM - 5:00PM M-F

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

1199

Primary Job Skill

Vocational Rehabilitation

Technical Skills

American Sign Language, Budgeting, Counseling and Rehabilitation, Human Services, Public Relations

Professional Skills

Analyzation, Collaboration, Intercultural Communication, Organizing and Planning, Time Management

Agency Overview

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD) empowers Ohioans with disabilities through employment, disability determinations, and independence. Our agency works with partners in businesses, education, and non-profit organizations to facilitate customized employment plans for Ohioans with disabilities; helps Ohio companies recruit and retain employees with disabilities; and is the sole agency determining medical and vocational Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs in Ohio. We help connect the people of Ohio who have disabilities with the resources, support, and opportunities that fit their unique needs, abilities, and interests so that they can find and retain meaningful employment. To learn more about what we do, please visit our website at ood.ohio.gov .

Follow us on social media @OhioOOD!