Rehabilitation Counselor - Iowa City

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is recruiting to fill a Rehabilitation Counselor position in the Iowa City, IA office.
As of July 1, 2023, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services has become part of Iowa Workforce Development.
Responsibilities of the position are as follows, with additional duties as assigned:
The successful candidate will provide counseling and guidance to adults and students in transition, and those with disabilities, providing pre-employment transition services to potentially eligible students in transition and serving adults in the work area listed above and the high schools in those areas. This staff member will also provide counseling and guidance, when appropriate, regarding adjustment to disability, vocational testing and test interpretation, occupational information and vocational alternatives, job availability and community resources that will lead to employment. The Rehabilitation Counselor will provide consultation and technical assistance to community rehabilitation providers that will facilitate counseling and employment activities. This staff member will also interact with students at the post-secondary institutions, transition, and adult caseloads to provide assistance and will actively work with individuals receiving SSI/SSDI and arrange benefits planning. Counseling will be provided to enhance the client's informed choice of services and employment opportunities and follow up will be delegated to team staff as each case progresses.
The individual in this role will also work to develop relationships in the business industry to afford opportunities to job candidates in a competitive employment setting, while providing services to businesses to assist in achieving their labor goals. They will learn the business culture and business needs in the local area to inform individuals with disabilities on the demands expected by employers and develop strategies and services that allow individuals with disabilities to work at their maximum potential. There are opportunities to be created that connect business and industry with IVRS job candidates through on the job trainings and internships and some of this will be accomplished by networking with apprenticeship programs and other resources to advance individuals with disabilities into middle skilled occupations. This Rehabilitation Counselor will assist with development of jobs that match the employment plan and abilities of the client to secure solid and stable employment for clients.
This IVRS staff member will market IVRS services to businesses and develop partnerships with employers so that IVRS becomes an integral part of the businesses hiring process; and so that information can be shared with clients to make informed choices. They will provide job placement services to clients to ensure clients are equipped to obtain and retain employment. Partnerships and education with area employers, Iowa Workforce Development and other resources will be necessary for both client job development and employer development and educating related to diversity and disability consultation services. Research on business background will be delegated to team staff for research to ensure initial and subsequent contacts are professional and focused on employer's needs.
Eligibility details will also be addressed by the applicant selected. This individual will analyze disability information and determine eligibility or ineligibility for applicants, completing and signing the eligibility certification, along with determining the Significance of Disability. This will occur with collaboration with the office team to develop and review progress on the Individual Plans for Employment (IPE). The Rehabilitation Counselor will participate in student Individual Education Plan (IEP)/Transition meetings and develop employment plans within 90 days or being made eligible and released from the waiting list.
Employment plans will be developed with the students and candidates that utilize their talents and abilities, considers their interests and preferences, and addresses accommodation needs to minimize barriers to employment within 90 days of eligibility.
Services needed for IPE completion will be coordinated in order to assist the clients in attaining their optional level of employment. This would include assessing the need for assistive technology and enlisting the services of the AT Specialists. The office team and delegates will work to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and individual's support systems will be involved to maximize support and additional services.
Delegation of case management to the team staff will be necessary, with interpretation of all federal regulations and consistent application of policies required for each decision made. Notes will need communicated or dictated for correspondence and files will need submitted to the team for final closures.
This position will require travel to contact centers, schools, rehabilitation facilities, businesses and other community locations and will also participate in staff meetings, special committees and in-service training activities.
The successful candidate must be able to pass a criminal background check conducted by the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
Agency Overview
Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) is a state agency committed to providing employment services for individual job seekers and to connecting employers to available workers through our IowaWORKS partnership.
IWD continually strives to improve processes and align the organization to provide effective, demand driven products and services. IWD staff in Des Moines consists of administrative services, disability determination services, information technology, labor market information, unemployment insurance services, vocational rehabilitation services, and workforce services.
The agency also maintains a statewide delivery system of IowaWORKS Centers and satellite and expansion offices where both employers and job seeking Iowans can receive workforce assistance.
Employer Highlights
IWD is focused on serving Iowans and providing outstanding customer service. Our strength is driven by the skills and talents of our people. IWD offers a rewarding team atmosphere, a flexible working environment, and a great total compensation package for our full-time employees, including:
Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS)

• Retirement Investors Club (RIC)
• Hybrid telework opportunities for eligible classifications
• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Vacation Leave
• Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays (9 days/year)
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance

If you're looking for a career with a well-respected organization that values its employees and customers, you've come to the right place!
Our agency uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.e-verify.gov.
No applicant for employment with the Iowa Department of Workforce Development can have a current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development without a payment plan in place. Select positions will be subject to a criminal background check.

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

1.) Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, counseling and guidance, school counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, education, business administration, management, finance, accounting, marketing, or a closely-related field.

2) Completion of all coursework of a Master's Degree program in rehabilitation counseling, pending only completion of an internship for graduation.

3) All of the following (a, b, and c): a. One year of full-time work experience in professional vocational rehabilitation counseling services; and b. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in a human services-oriented science which provides a knowledge of the theories, principles, and techniques of counseling, business administration, management, finance, accounting, marketing, or a closely-related field; and c. Twenty-four semester hours of graduate course work in counseling.

Travel may be required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.

Employment Type: Full-time