Placement Counselor- #ARS01177

Title: Placement Counselor- #ARS01177

State Role Title: Counselor II

Hiring Range: Starting minimum $51,861 commensurate with experience.

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs

Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs

Agency Website: https://www.dars.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Empower your community by helping Virginians with disabilities achieve meaningful, lasting employment through personalized guidance and impactful employer partnerships. Join our team as a Placement Counselor and make a measurable difference by connecting motivated job seekers with opportunities that transform lives.

Why Join Us?

Meaningful, mission driven impact

Collaborative and supportive work culture

Comprehensive state benefits

Job Duties

"In accordance with the Commonwealth Telework Policy, telework is based on agency business needs."

In partnership with people with disabilities, the DRS Field Rehabilitation Services Division assists individuals with disabilities to make informed choices that will maximize their employment through coordinated service delivery. DRS staff will assist the Workforce Network to deliver quality workforce services to individuals with disabilities who want to work and employers seeking to hire them.

We are seeking a Placement Counselor responsible for assisting individuals in identifying and securing suitable employment opportunities. This role involves providing career counseling, job readiness training, and placement support to clients. The caseload may consist of students, youth and adults with varying disabilities including, but not limited to serious mental illness, substance abuse, hearing impairments all other disabilities. The Placement Counselor collaborates with employers, community organizations, and internal teams to ensure successful job matches and long-term employment outcomes.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Employment Services.
• Knowledge of Community Resources.
• Referral and Documentation.
• Community Office-based with occasional travel to job sites, community events, or client meetings.
• May require flexible hours, including evenings or weekends, depending on client needs.

Other duties and/or special projects as assigned.

Completes duties and/or projects as needed or directed by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:

Training &/Experience:

• Training and/or experience in Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling or Marketing, Business Management, Communication.
• raining and/or experience in Marketing, Business Management, Communication, Psychology, Counseling, Human Services, Special Education, and Rehabilitation Counseling.
• Advanced experience in job placement, or workforce development.
• Experience with applicant tracking systems, targeted resume development and follow up and hiring protocols to effectively assist local businesses with developing talent pipeline solutions.

Knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, and apply labor market and business data to inform employment strategies and program development.
• Familiar with current labor market trends, employer needs, and workforce development practices to effectively connect job seekers with business opportunities.
• In-depth understanding of disability services, vocational rehabilitation, and employment support programs.

Ability/Skills:

• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with employers to identify job opportunities aligned with client skills, interests, and vocational goals.
• Proven success in developing partnerships with local businesses and organizations to expand job placement opportunities and support inclusive hiring practices.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively with vocational rehabilitation counselors, case managers, and community partners to coordinate client employment strategies.
• Proficiency in monitoring client progress through consistent follow-up, documentation, and the ability to adjust employment plans based on evolving client needs.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and case management software.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Additional Considerations:

• Experience working with individuals with disabilities or other employment barriers.

Special Instructions

• This position has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2 1201.1.
• A fingerprint based criminal history check is required of the finalist.
• The selected candidate must complete a Statement of Personal Economic Interests as required by Va. Code § 2.2 3114.

Benefits:

DARS offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance plan options, flexible spending accounts, VRS retirement, employer paid basic group life insurance, optional employee paid group life insurance, 13 paid holidays, Sick Leave, Annual Leave, Family Personal Leave, employee discount programs, and more.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, Americorp, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia's New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Email: Recruitment@dars.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.