Rehabilitation Counselor

Quick Facts

• Role: Rehabilitation Counselor

• Focus: Vocational rehabilitation and personal adjustment counseling for Veterans with disabilities

• Work setting: In-person across multiple VA-related clinical and community programs

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00am–4:30pm (no telework)

• Travel: Required

• Driver’s license: Required

Description

Rehabilitation Counselors coordinate and deliver vocational rehabilitation counseling services to Veterans with disabilities, working alongside an interdisciplinary team. The role includes assessments, development of rehabilitation plans, evidence-based counseling interventions, and ongoing case coordination to support employment, independent living, community reintegration, and recovery. Responsibilities also include job development, job coaching, accommodations, and teaching job search and soft skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide vocational and personal adjustment counseling, therapeutic rehabilitation interventions, and case coordination

• Deliver vocational rehabilitation services for Veterans with psychiatric and physical disabilities and psychosocial barriers

• Consult with interdisciplinary teams and communicate with community health professionals and employers

• Apply evidence-based/evidence-informed vocational and professional counseling practices

• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments and synthesize histories for case conceptualization and clinical recommendations

• Select, administer, and interpret psychometric assessments and vocational instruments

• Determine clinical need and capacity for therapeutic/rehabilitation services (e.g., work restoration/resilience, supported employment, financial benefits counseling)

• Build patient-centered treatment plans with SMART goals and complete ongoing progress assessments and clinical charting

• Provide job development, job placement, job coaching, accommodations, retention, and education services

• Conduct job analysis to identify essential functions and develop reasonable accommodations

• Promote employment programs and establish relationships with community employers

• Facilitate job placement by teaching job search skills, resumes/applications, interviews, and basic computer skills

• Support development of workplace soft skills and natural supports

• Apply knowledge of military culture to help Veterans return to the community and community-based work

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship

• Proficiency in written and spoken English

• Subject to background/security investigation

• Pass pre-employment physical examination and complete required onboarding

• Comply with urinalysis testing if selected

• Selective Service registration (for eligible males)

• CRC certification: current, full, and unrestricted Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification (CRCC) required to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling

• Education: master’s in rehabilitation counseling/clinical rehabilitation counseling (CACREP) OR master’s in counseling/clinical rehabilitation counseling from CHEA-recognized accredited institutions OR related graduate degree with emphasized relevant coursework OR foreign degrees acceptable by CRCC

• Maintain CRC certification to remain in the occupation

• Valid driver’s license and readiness to travel

• Complete a 1- or 2-year trial period (employment may be terminated if continued employment does not advance the public interest)

Benefits

A comprehensive federal benefits package for employees and their families is available; eligibility depends on the type of position and work schedule.