Vocational Rehab Counselor

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation, counseling, and case management services to disabled veterans and other eligible individuals. The primary emphasis of the Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation Program is to assist Veterans with service-connected disabilities to prepare for, find, and sustain employment. Responsibilities include delivering direct rehabilitation counseling services, such as vocational rehabilitation and personal adjustment counseling, case management, assessment, and coordination of rehabilitation, training, and employment services. Counselors work within a professional counseling relationship to support individuals with disabilities in achieving their employment goals.

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the cut-off date and/or closing date of this job opportunity announcement, 06/30/2026. This position is covered by a single agency qualification standard, VA Handbook 5005/157, part II, appendix F2, dated July 28, 2023. Basic requirements include: A. Education: Successful completion of a master's degree (or higher) in rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation services, clinical rehabilitation counseling, counseling psychology, mental health counseling, career counseling, or social work from an accredited college or university. B. Internship or Experience Requirement: Either (1) a supervised internship in rehabilitation counseling or case management specialization, supervised by a professional in vocational rehabilitation or a closely related field, or (2) one year of post-master's degree experience in direct delivery of professional vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. C. Grandfathering Provision: VRCs employed in the VBA on the effective date July 28, 2023, are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held, including certifications. Grandfathered employees may be reassigned, promoted up to the full performance level, changed to a lower grade, or placed in a supervisory or managerial position. Temporary appointees prior to the effective date may not be extended or reappointed until they fully meet the basic requirements. Grandfathered employees who leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet full qualification standards upon re-entry. Creditable experience must require the use of knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current professional vocational rehabilitation counseling practice, obtained post-graduate and directly related to the duties to be performed, equivalent to the next lower level. Management officials may modify or waive specific requirements in accordance with chapter 2, section D, paragraphs 8-12 of this part.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) provides rehabilitation, counseling, and case management services to disabled veterans, helping them prepare for and sustain employment.