Title: Placement Counselor - #ARS00224
State Role Title: Counselor II
Hiring Range: Starting minimum $50,107 commensurate with experience.
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Dept for Aging & Rehab Svcs
Location: Aging & Rehab Svcs
Agency Website: https://www.dars.virginia.gov
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Empower individuals to achieve meaningful employment! Join us as a Placement Counselor and make a lasting impact by connecting job seekers with opportunities that fit their skills and goals.
Why Join Us?
✅ Purpose-driven work
✅ Inclusive, supportive teams
✅ Great state benefits
Job Duties
“Telework is limited in accordance with the Commonwealth’s telework policy.”
In partnership with people with disabilities, the DRS Field Rehabilitation Services Division assists individuals with disabilities to make informed choices that will maximize their employment through coordinated service delivery. DRS staff will assist the Workforce Network to deliver quality workforce services to individuals with disabilities who want to work and employers seeking to hire them to the extent that this provides benefit to the DRS program.
We are seeking a Placement Counselor to be responsible for assisting individuals in identifying and securing suitable employment opportunities. This role involves providing career counseling, job readiness training, and placement support to clients. The caseload may consist of students, youth and adults with varying disabilities including, but not limited to serious mental illness, substance abuse, hearing impairments all other disabilities. The Placement Counselor collaborates with employers, community organizations, and internal teams to ensure successful job matches and long-term employment outcomes.
Responsibilities:
• Community Office-based with occasional travel to job sites, community events, or client meetings.
• May require flexible hours, including evenings or weekends, depending on client needs.
• Other duties and/or special projects as assigned.
• Completes duties and/or projects as needed or directed by supervisor.
Minimum Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have:
Knowledge/Experience:
Ability/Skills:
Additional Considerations:
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities or other employment barriers.
Special Instructions
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.
Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.
To Apply:
Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Contact Information:
Name: Human Resources
Email: Recruitment@dars.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.
The Commonwealth of Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States. It was the 10th state to be admitted to the Union on June 25, 1788. Home to approximately 8 million residents, Virginia is the 12th most populous state in the United States. The capital is Richmond, and its most populous city is Virginia Beach.
The narrative history of the Commonwealth of Virginia often begins with the founding of Jamestown in 1607, near what is now modern day Williamsburg, Virginia. Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World, and the Virginia General Assembly, established on July 30, 1619, is now recognized as the oldest legislative body in the western hemisphere. When Virginia became a royal colony in 1624, the robust tobacco trade that had been developing in Virginia helped establish the American colonies as a powerful economic force. During the American Revolution, Virginia witnessed the final surrender of British forces at Yorktown and later became known as the birthplace of many revolution-era figures and future American presidents, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. To date, 8 United States presidents have been born in Virginia, more than in any other state.
The modern government of Virginia is nearly identical in structure to the federal government, and is divided into 3 branches, these being the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches. The Virginia General Assembly is comprised of the 100-member House of Delegates and the 40-member Senate. A governor and lieutenant governor are elected every 4 years. Governors cannot be elected to or serve consecutive terms. Virginia’s judicial system consists of the Supreme Court of Virginia and the Court of Appeals of Virginia, the Circuit Courts, and the lower General District Courts and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Courts. Virginia has 13 electoral votes in presidential elections, and possesses 11 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
