Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor jobs in Wisconsin

Would you like to use your Professional Counselor or Professional Counselor Training License to make a difference? Join a team of dedicated individuals in supporting Wisconsin residents with disabilities to obtain, maintain, and improve employment outcomes. This position may be eligible for a $2000 sign-on bonus!

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD), Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is currently recruiting for 1 full-time permanent Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or Counselor- In Training in Oshkosh, Wisconsin (WDA 4). DVR maintains 11 Workforce Development Areas (WDAs) across the state where teams of DVR staff work together to assist Wisconsin residents with disabilities with their job search efforts.

This position will be responsible for managing a caseload serving adults as well as high-school aged youth. This position will be headquartered at 219 Washington Avenue in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

This position is eligible to work remotely up to 50% of the time after an initial training period. And will have a first shift schedule Monday-Friday with no on-call responsibilities. Frequent day-time travel within WDA 4 (see WDA map), and occasionally statewide is a requirement of the position. Reimbursement for mileage and a daily meal allowance is provided when in travel status per travel guidelines.

What We Offer: The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) offers interesting and meaningful work with an employee-friendly work environment, work-life balance, a casual office environment, flexibility, and many opportunities to grow your skills. The State of Wisconsin offers an exemplary benefits package with over 6 weeks paid time off, excellent insurance options (health, dental, vision, life, and more), a top-notch retirement program, and much more. Apply now to find out why we love to Work for Wisconsin.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar permanent, project, and/or LTE vacancies

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors help youth and adults with disabilities live fuller, more independent lives by assisting them in securing gainful employment. They provide a continuum of professional services designed to remove barriers and help consumers achieve success. Through vocational guidance and counseling, counselors assist consumers in determining employment goals, identifying services and resources, and preparing for employment and job searches. In addition, counselors develop and maintain relationships with community partners, including job centers, schools, service providers and employers. View the position description for more information:

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor In-Training (VRC-IT) position description

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) position description

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor-In Training position is in Pay Schedule-Range 12-64 with starting pay between $27.14-$30.39 per hour. The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor position is in Pay Schedule-Range 12-63 with starting pay between $29.73-$32.89 per hour. Some positions, where bilingual skills are needed, may qualify for an additional $1.00 per hour above base pay. A $2,000 sign-on bonus may be available for new hires. See additional terms for the sign-on bonus.

Starting salary depends on experience and includes excellent benefits. For more benefits information, view our benefits overview.

A 12-month probationary period will be required. The classification titles for these positions are Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor-In Training and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. These positions are not represented in a collective bargaining unit and are exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Pay will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan in effect at the time of appointment. Starting pay may vary for current state employees.

Remote Work: Remote and hybrid-remote work is intended to be performed primarily in Wisconsin. High speed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work. Remote work is subject to change based on business needs.

Criminal histories: We also consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Finalists for this position may be required to allow DWD to conduct a background check or other checks to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled.

Eligibility to work in United States: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e., a US citizen or national or a lawful permanent resident) at the time of appointment. DWD does not sponsor visas and is not an eligible OPT employer for those with F1 visas. This is not a contract position. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant being able to prove valid status to work in the United States.

To legally perform as a VRC-In Training, you must have an active WI Professional Counselor Training License (PCTL) credential prior to start date. To legally perform as a VRC you must have an active Licensed Professional (LPC) credential prior to start date. Eligibility for licensure is determined by the Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services (DSPS).

To be considered for the next step in the selection process, it is essential that your resume specifically describes your eligibility by indicating the following:

Active PCTL or LPC license number

OR:

An applicant that does not currently and has never held a PCTL credential may also be considered if you meet all the following criteria:

• You have started the application process for a PCTL credential with DSPS
• Your application status on the DSPS site shows all criteria met or your only unmet criteria is Form 2456.
• You submit your PAR # to confirm your application status.

Especially well-qualified applicants will also have related education, training, or experience in any of the following:

• Counseling and empowering clients/consumers to develop plans to meet their goals (ideally in the area of vocational rehabilitation programming).
• Working in a team service environment.
• Communicating effectively and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships.
• Managing caseloads and/or organizing and prioritizing tasks (e.g., recording case notes, completing forms, ensuring document compliance, etc.).
• Conducting comprehensive assessments to determine clients/consumers' needs for services (e.g., using diagnostic tests/tools, labor market information, etc.).
• Collaborating with external partners (e.g., employers, service providers, etc.) to guide and/or monitor the processes related to meeting client/consumer goals.
• Applying principles of trauma informed care and multicultural sensitivity in counseling.

NOTE: Additional Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor-In Training vacancies are available in other WDAs. Use this link to find all available vacancies. Applicants must apply for all WDAs they would like to be considered for.

Click "Apply for Job" to start the application process. That will prompt you to access your existing account or create a new account. You will be asked to attach a resume. It is important that your resume clearly illustrates how you meet the licensure or eligibility for licensure qualifications described above. On step 4 of the application process, you will have the option to enter your license number. Entering your license in the application is optional.

Please note that once you submit your application, you will not be able to update your materials.

Questions?

If you encounter issues submitting your on-line application (e.g. signing in or uploading a resume), please see the Frequently Asked Questions for general user information and technical assistance.

If you have questions about these positions or this recruitment (e.g. projected start date, work locations, skills needed, etc.), please email Megan Grill at MNGJobs@dwd.wisconsin.gov or call (608) 266-0414.

What happens next? Your application materials will be reviewed to determine your eligibility for further consideration in the selection process. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process, which is typically a virtual interview.

DWD is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity employer seeking a diverse and talented workforce. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA , and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Applications submitted by 11:59 PM (central time) on Thursday, April 4, 2024, will be included in a first review. This announcement will remain open and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until vacancies are filled.