Career Counselor (Vocational Rehabilitation)

Description

At employU, our culture is EPIC. It’s not just a buzzword; it’s how we show up every day for our team and the community we serve.

employU Values Statement — EPIC

Empowerment – We give every person the tools, support, and confidence to chart their own career path.

Passion – Energy and enthusiasm drive us to exceed expectations and change lives.

Integrity – Honesty, transparency, and ethical decision-making guide everything we do.

Commitment – We invest in long-term partnerships with clients, employers, and one another to ensure shared success.

Looking for meaningful work with a team that lives its values? You’ll fit right in at employU. Join our team!

A flexible schedule, paid weekly, working in the community, making a difference, being surrounded by a great team, and maintaining work/life balance—this is what you can expect working at employU.Our team works within the disability community to empower our customers with the knowledge, connections, and confidence required to achieve independence by establishing a sustainable career. Because we are always expanding, there is always an opportunity for growth for those seeking career advancement.

Want to get a glimpse into the employU atmosphere? Watch this video: https://youtu.be/K6Hf9jusJlA

Requirements

POSITION SUMMARY

The Career Counselor provides individualized vocational rehabilitation counseling and employment planning services for individuals with disabilities enrolled in employU Connects. The contractor completes participant intake assessments and Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs), recommends appropriate services, monitors ongoing progress, verifies employment outcomes, and reviews service provider deliverables for invoice authorization. Services are delivered virtually and in person throughout the assigned area. Vocational evaluation services may be offered by contractors with the necessary qualifications.

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Participant Intake & Individualized Employment Planning

Contact each newly assigned participant within one business day to introduce services and schedule the initial appointment.

Conduct virtual or in-person intake interviews; collect employment history, strengths, barriers, interests, and other relevant information.

Develop an individualized, person-centered IPE that identifies employment goals, needed supports, and recommended services.

Complete the intake and IPE within 10 business days of assignment when no vocational evaluation is needed; allow up to 15 business days when an evaluation is required, subject to participant availability and documented exceptions.

Recommend and coordinate referrals for employment services, WIPA benefits counseling, pre-placement training, vocational evaluation, and other appropriate supports.

Ongoing Service Coordination & Participant Follow-Up

Review each service provider's monthly progress report and associated case notes at least once each month.

Contact each active participant at least monthly by phone, email, text, or another appropriate method and document the contact and review.

Coordinate with employment specialists, benefits counselors, instructors, and other providers when progress slows, concerns arise, or plans need adjustment.

Service Validation, Outcomes & Invoice Authorization

Review provider progress notes, supporting deliverables, and documented billable outcomes for completeness and consistency with the IPE.

Independently confirm reported job placements with participants, including that they are working, are satisfied with the placement, and consider it an appropriate fit.

Approve eligible provider invoices after satisfactory verification and enter the required invoice date in employU's CRM for Finance processing; return incomplete items for correction.

Document case progress, review decisions, changes to service plans, and case closure outcomes as applicable.

Professional Collaboration & Optional Evaluation Services

Communicate with the employU Connects Coordinator regarding assignments, participant issues, documentation needs, and service questions.

Use employU's required systems to maintain accurate, timely, and confidential participant records and comply with applicable grant procedures.

When qualified and separately assigned, conduct vocational evaluations, typically within 10 business days, and submit the report before the related IPE is finalized. The counselor's own intake, IPE, and evaluation deliverables undergo separate review and approval.

POSITION QUALIFCATIONS

Competency Statement(s)

Person-Centered Counseling & Professional Judgment

Vocational Assessment & Employment Planning

Clear Written and Verbal Communication

Service Coordination & Participant Advocacy

Accurate Documentation & Quality Assurance

Time Management, Responsiveness & Confidentiality

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education

Bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Special Education, Counseling, or a closely related field required.

Experience

At least two years of professional experience in vocational rehabilitation, disability employment services, employment counseling, or related case management required.

Experience conducting assessments, identifying employment barriers, and developing individualized employment or service plans required.

Computer Skills

Comfort with web-based case management/CRM systems, electronic documentation, virtual meetings, and common office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related field; Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential.

Florida Division of Vocational Rehabilitation counseling experience and experience developing IPEs.

Ability to administer vocational assessments and prepare vocational evaluation reports; experience serving transition-age youth.

Other Requirements

Ability to complete applicable background screening prior to providing participant services.

Reliable transportation and availability for in-person meetings, primarily at employU offices, throughout Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake Counties ; occasional public/community meeting locations.

Contractor supplies a computer, phone, reliable internet access, and transportation; employU supplies access and training for required CRM and program systems.

Ability to safeguard participant information, communicate professionally with individuals with disabilities, and fulfill accepted assignments in a timely manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• These conditions are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
• successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.
• Environment: Hybrid office, community, and virtual service settings, including confidential participant meetings.

Physical: Work may involve sitting, computer use, standing, walking, and local travel. Accommodations may be available as appropriate.

Vision: N/A

Hearing: N/A

Supervision: None. This is an independent contractor role; the employU Connects Coordinator is the primary program contact.

Travel: Local travel required for assigned in-person appointments in the service area.

CONTRACTOR COMPENSATION & ENGAGEMENT

Compensation Schedule

Remote Intake + IPE: $150 per completed and approved deliverable.

In-Person Intake + IPE: $175 per completed and approved deliverable; includes travel compensation.

Case Management / Follow-Up: $25 per hour for authorized work outside defined deliverables, including follow-up, consultation, and related