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Counselor - Career Opportunities in Pennsylvania

Tip Sheet for Applying

The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) is actively seeking talented, qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) to join the agency. Are you looking for a rewarding career in the rehabilitation counseling field? Do you want a challenging job that offers a variety of responsibilities, rewarding work with clear results and the opportunity to promote career choices for people with disabilities? If you answered yes, then Pennsylvania OVR is the place for you! OVR provides services to eligible people with disabilities to secure and maintain employment and independence. As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with OVR, you will enjoy a satisfying career that empowers Pennsylvanians with disabilities to achieve economic and personal independence.


Statewide VR Counselor Opportunities

OVR continually accepts applications for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor positions (job code 44831) and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing positions (job code 44829). OVR's ideal candidate is a positive, enthusiastic individual with excellent communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. A master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, business administration, human resources, public administration, or a closely related field. Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credentials or eligibility for CRC credentials is required.

*Pennsylvania residency is not required to apply and there is no competitive test. All positions are filled through the State Civil Service Commission.

All positions are in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) within the Department of Labor and Industry. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor positions exist throughout the state in OVR's 21 District Offices, including the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (BVRS), the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (BBVS), and at the Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC) in Johnstown.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in the Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation Services counsel customers with a wide range of physical and/or mental disabilities that present barriers to employment. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in the Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing counsel customers who are deaf or hard of hearing and who may use American Sign Language (ASL), other forms of sign and manual communication, or assistive technology. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services counsel customers with a range of visual impairments which present barriers to employment.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor positions in the Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services come under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. If you are a final candidate for one of these positions, you will have to provide reports on your background from such sources as the Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. If you are a final candidate and not a Pennsylvania resident, you must also obtain a report of Federal Criminal History Record Information from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

*Necessary Special Requirement for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Deaf and Hard of Hearing:

Ability to communicate at the intermediate sign communication level as determined by the Sign Communication Proficiency Interview Evaluation approved by the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.


Minimum Requirements (Both Job Titles)

  • Successful completion of the Commonwealth's Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program; OR

  • a master's degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, business administration, human resources, public administration or a closely related field; OR

  • Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification; OR

  • proof of approval to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification's (CRCC) certification examination, as provided by the CRCC, and completion of a master's degree.


Salary and Benefits

OVR offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefit package. OVR Counselors work full time and pay is based on 37.5 hours per week. The starting salary for VR Counselor positions statewide is Standard Pay Schedule Group ST07, Level 01, and for VR Counselors in OVR's Philadelphia and Norristown district offices Standard Pay Schedule Group ST07, Level 05 (to access the standard pay schedule, visit OA's Compensation page and select *Standard). Full commonwealth benefits are available to new employees, including medical benefits, life insurance, a retirement plan, annual and sick leave, twelve paid holidays, and an optional deferred compensation savings plan. Permanent employees and their eligible dependents also receive supplemental health benefits after six months of employment. Supplemental health benefits include prescription drugs, dental, vision and hearing aid coverage.


Application Process

APPLICATIONS FOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR POSITIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

Information on how to apply for Pennsylvania Civil Service positions, including VRCs, and further information on employment opportunities can be obtained by visiting the Commonwealth's employment website.


Equal Opportunity Employer/Program

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.


Inquiries

If you have questions about OVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor opportunities, please contact Danielle Frascella, OVR's HR Liaison, via phone at (570) 239-6405 or email at dfrascella@pa.gov.