Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors work one-on-one with job seekers to figure out their needs and help them to achieve their job goals. Together they develop a personalized plan to help job seekers meet those goals.
Explore the various careers in vocational rehabilitation counseling with Aging and Disability Services, including:
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
- Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf (RCDs)
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Interns
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Candidates
About Vocational Rehab Counselors and Rehabilitation Counselors for the Deaf (RCDs)
Depending on the role, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors are responsible for providing vocational counseling services to individuals with disabilities, youth, or adults. An RCD, Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf, focuses on assisting Deaf individuals.
As a Counselor, you will work one-on-one with your job seeker to assess their needs and help them to achieve their job goals. Together, you will develop a personalized plan to help them meet those goals. A plan may include assistance with writing a resume or improving interview skills to land a job. It may include education to gain the required skills or on-the-job support to help them do their tasks successfully.
You can also explore the Workforce Counselor role which focuses on building relationships with businesses and promoting employing individuals with disabilities.
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About Vocational Rehab Counselor Interns and Vocational Rehab Counselor Candidates
Interns and VR Candidates are considered entry-level positions and join BRS with a training job classification. Candidates and Interns will receive specific training and support from Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Specialists in a range of duties.
These positions can ultimately lead to a VR Counselor role; additional education will be required. Some of the duties may include helping with intake interviews, gathering data, providing counseling and planning services, and preparing written reports, data, and documentation.
Qualifications
General qualifications for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
To qualify, you must have:
- A master's degree from an accredited college with a major course of study in vocational rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education or related behavioral or social sciences.
- You may be in your final semester of a master’s degree program from an accredited college if your major course of study is vocational rehabilitation counseling.
General qualifications for VR Counselor Interns
A bachelor’s degree and one (1) year of full-time employment as a Vocational Rehabilitation Candidate in the Bureau of Rehabilitation Services and matriculation in a graduate course of study leading to a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, special education, or related behavioral or social science.
General qualifications for VR Counselor Candidates
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college with major courses of study in vocational rehabilitation, counseling, psychology, special education, or related behavioral or social science.
The following preferred qualifications will be considered:
- Experience working with high school students or adults with disabilities
- Experience providing outreach and conducting presentations to community agencies
- Experience with an electronic case management system, Outlook, and video conferencing platforms
- Experience working with individuals from diverse or underserved populations
- Experience applying organizational and time-management skills
- Experience communicating with internal and external stakeholders
Additionally, these jobs have special requirements if hired:
- Applicants will need to obtain the educational qualification for the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and meet the most current national standard for Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
- Must maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license or Identification Card
- May be required to travel with or without accommodation.
- For interns, it will be expected that you are enrolled in a master’s program.
- For candidates, it will be expected that enrollment into a master’s program begin within the first year of your tenure with us.
Testimonials
Want to hear what our counselors have to say? We sat down with two of our counselors to discuss why a career in Vocational Counseling is so rewarding.
Current Openings
You can find detailed information on current job postings, duties, and qualifications and apply for any and all open positions on the job listing links(s) below.
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (35 Hour) Hybrid
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (35 Hour) Hybrid
Sign up for Job Alerts
Vocational Rehabilitation jobs open and close at various times throughout the year, on an as-needed basis. Signing up for alerts is the most effective way to be notified that a VR job has opened up.
Complete the following online form to get updates on current and future career opportunities with ADS Rehabilitation Services:
Or, to sign up for job alerts on the CT.gov website, follow these steps:
- Go to the Connecticut Executive Branch Online Employment Center.
- Click on Job Classes at the top navigation bar.
- Within Job Classes, on the search bar, search for Vocational rehabilitation; a list of all VR jobs will show.
- Select all the positions that you are interested in. You can select more than one. Once completed select FINISH to confirm your selection(s).
- You will be brought to a window to enter brief personal information.
- Follow the simple steps to enter and submit your information.
- Once submitted, you will receive an email confirming your interest in receiving information about open or soon to open positions for the job(s) you selected.
- If a position is currently open or when a job opens, you will receive a separate email with instructions on how to apply for the position.
NOTE: Your name will remain on the interest card list for 365 days from the date you submit your information and receive a confirmation email. If a job opens during that time, you will receive an email when applications are being accepted for the job so that you may apply.