Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Lead Employment Specialist)

Locations: Multiple U.S. Cities (In-Person Required)
Position Type: W-2 Employee (Full-Time or Part-Time, Based on Location)

Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists Inc. (VRSI)

Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists Inc. (VRSI) is a nationally recognized provider of Veteran employment and rehabilitation services. With decades of experience supporting Department of Labor and VA-funded programs, VRSI delivers Veteran-centered, trauma-informed, and evidence-based career services that empower individuals to achieve meaningful education, training, and employment outcomes.

Position Summary

The Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Lead Employment Specialist) provides professional vocational rehabilitation and employment services to Veterans served through both the Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) and VA-funded contracts, depending on program needs and funding.

In addition to direct service delivery, this role serves as a subject matter expert in vocational rehabilitation practice, playing a key role in training, mentoring, and guiding VRSI staff to ensure consistent excellence, compliance, and evidence-based vocational service delivery across programs. The counselor contributes to service model development, staff skill-building, and continuous quality improvement, strengthening VRSI’s organizational capacity to deliver high-quality vocational rehabilitation services.

This is not a fully remote position. Counselors must maintain access to a private, professional, ADA-compliant space for in-person services, with virtual services provided when appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive vocational, educational, and employment assessments

• Develop and implement Personalized Development Plans (PDPs) aligned with VA and HVRP requirements

• Provide career exploration, transferable skills analysis, and labor market guidance

• Deliver employment readiness services including résumé development, interview preparation, and job search strategy

• Support identification of appropriate training, credentialing, or education pathways

• Identify and address barriers to employment through coordinated referrals and supportive services

• Coordinate services with VA representatives, workforce partners, and community organizations

• Maintain accurate, timely documentation compliant with VA, DOL, HIPAA, and federal standards

• Meet required performance metrics, timelines, and outcome benchmarks

• Deliver trauma-informed, Veteran-centered counseling services

Leadership, Training, and Quality Responsibilities

• Provide training, coaching, and technical guidance to staff on best practices in vocational rehabilitation and employment counseling

• Support development and refinement of vocational service models, tools, and documentation standards across VRSI programs

• Promote consistent, high-quality, and compliant service delivery through mentoring, case consultation, and quality review

• Collaborate with leadership on staff development, program improvement, and performance outcomes related to vocational services

• Participate in supervision, professional development, and continuous quality improvement activities

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must meet all of the following:

• Master of Science or Master of Arts degree in Career Guidance and Planning, Rehabilitation Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Adult Education, Educational Program Administration

• Minimum five (5) years of professional experience providing vocational rehabilitation, employment counseling, or closely related workforce services.

  • Candidates with fewer than five (5) years of experience may be considered if they possess a master’s degree specifically in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling or Rehabilitation Counseling and demonstrate strong foundational competencies in vocational assessment, counseling, and case management.

• Demonstrated ability to deliver independent vocational counseling, assessment, and career planning services

• Experience maintaining compliant documentation and case management within federally funded, clinical, or workforce programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Veterans or military-connected populations

• Knowledge of VA vocational rehabilitation Chapter 36 – Education and Career Counseling, Chapter 31 Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), Chapter 33, Chapter 35 – Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA), HVRP, AJC/WIOA, or other federally funded workforce programs

• Professional certification such as CRC (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor) or eligibility to obtain

• Veterans strongly encouraged to apply