Commonwealth of Massachusetts: Executive Office of Health and Human Services Hiring for Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I – Southbridge at Southbridge, MA  Full Time

The Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) is seeking dedicated and compassionate individuals who desire a rewarding career making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities to obtain and maintain employment. The Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I will coordinate vocational rehabilitation services from intake through plan development and placement as mandated by federal statutes and guidelines. The ideal candidate will administer functional skills analysis, review, and analyze assessment tests, interview, and conduct observations, develop plans, partner with service providers, and provide access to successful job placement.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide professional vocational counseling within a continuum of services to help clients achieve success and to remove barriers by identifying unique strengths, resources, and abilities related to planning and achieving employment outcomes.

• Administer residual functional capacities assessments, interest tests, aptitude tests, transferable skills analysis, and other vocational assessment tools.

• Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE) through onsite visits, job fairs and career seminars.

• Engage clients in activities of employment preparedness, job seeking and development; Facilitate appropriate concepts, individually or in group settings, to improve skills necessary for all stages of vocational development.

• Monitor, evaluate, and track client progress with respect to relevant goals in an accurate and timely manner.

• Establish, maintain, and monitor close and cooperative relationships with providers and employers in carrying out supportive services.

• Monitor on-site job coaching and recommend assistive devices for program and/or service use; Partner with agency regional/district staff, vendor organizations and other constituents in the role and scope of service delivery.

• Participate in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of counseling and job placement of persons with vocational/occupational barriers, including physical, emotional, psychological, and intellectual disabilities.

• Familiarity with utilizing psychological tests and other evaluative techniques.

• Commitment to lifelong learning in relationship to their own professional development.

• Outstanding organizational, written, and oral communications skills; attention to detail.

• Responsible for learning and staying up to date on MRC’s diversity, equity, inclusion and racial equity skills, results, and expectations specific to Vocational Rehabilitation programs.

• Experience working in a team culture that values inclusivity, performance, transparency, and authenticity.

• Knowledge of and experience in diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial equity and effective engagement across differences.

• Experience working in a team culture that values inclusivity, performance, transparency, and authenticity.

• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook as well as technologies supporting a remote workplace (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams).

• Solid written and oral communication skills and proficiency establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with a variety of diverse consumers, families, staff, and organizations.

About the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission

MRC provides services that break down barriers and empower people with disabilities to live life on their own terms. Our programs focus on vocational rehabilitation, community living, and disability determination for federal benefit programs. We are change agents and community builders. And we put the people we serve at the heart of everything we do. We envision a Commonwealth that is open to all, where everyone can seize their true potential and contribute fully to our communities and the world. Together with stakeholders, partners, and allies, MRC collaborates, problem solves, and innovates to bring about a better Massachusetts for everyone-one that is truly equitable, accessible, and inclusive.

MRC is a learning and participatory performance culture with an emphasis on high performance teams, individual performance/contribution/impact, and engaging in activities to promote and support a program/division/agency (e.g., committee membership, Roadmap workgroup membership, presenting at Town Halls, achieving learning and performance goals). In addition, MRC is an agency committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and racial equity, as well as innovation, transformation, and change, and creating a culture of agility, excellence, and belonging.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit .

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the

For questions, please the contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #2.

Applicants should submit a cover letter and resume for the Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor I – Southbridge requisition.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have a (A) Master’s degree or higher in Rehabilitation Counseling from a Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE) accredited university program, or a certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification or licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor or (B) the substitution listed below.

Based on assignment, travel is required; incumbents who elect to use a motor vehicle for travel must have a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.

Substitutions:

I. A Master’s degree or higher in a related field such a Rehabilitation Administration/Services, Disability Studies, Vocational Assessment/Evaluation, Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Education, Special Education, Occupational Therapy, Counseling (Mental Health, Education, Psychology), or Substance Abuse Therapy and one (1) year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in vocational counseling, job placement, career counseling and guidance, assessment and vocational evaluation, job development and services for employers may be substituted for the required (A) education. Relevant internship experience will be considered.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics?

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.