Job Description

Posting number: KAA 9699 RC I 10.26

Department: Department of Labor and Employment

Division: Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Job classification: Rehabilitation Counselor I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Counseling, Rehabilitation Services

Summary

This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL 5:00 PM ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2026

This position is term-limited and set to expire 6/30/2028. Position will be primarily housed within 27J School District (88 N 40th Ave Bldg A, Brighton, CO 80601). Position may also be required to report to other schools within the school district; additional occasional statewide travel required. When not working at the school district, position will be required to report to the Northglenn DVR office or work from home as permitted by the supervisor. NOTE: this position will be expected to work year round at the school, even during traditional school breaks such as Summer or Fall breaks

***NOTE: THIS POSITION WILL REQUIRE ON-SITE, FULL TIME REPORTING. THERE WILL NOT BE REMOTE OR HYBRID FLEXIBILITY IN THIS ROLE UNLESS IN THE CASE OF HOLIDAY BREAKS OR SCHOOL CLOSURES AND IF SUPERVISOR ALLOWS.***

The Department of Labor and Employment keeps Colorado strong and competitive. We connect workers with great jobs and assist those who have been injured on the job. We help people who are unemployed through no fault of their own by providing temporary wage replacement and we ensure fair labor practices. We provide an up-to-date and accurate picture of the economy that helps in decision making. And we protect the workplace – and Colorado communities – with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs.

This is a values-driven organization, committed to accountability, agility, collaboration, and respect.

We believe in outstanding customer service, an inclusive culture, continued process improvement and in our role as a trusted and strategic partner. Recognizing that knowledgeable employees drive our success, we are seeking dedicated individuals who exhibit our shared values and our passion for quality and excellence in all we do.

In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer excellent benefits:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• MotivateMe employee wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Access to participate in employer-supported employee affinity spaces
• RTD EcoPass Commuter Program
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs

Our agency website: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

CDLE has implemented a pilot program on March 1st, 2022 which will award Disability Hiring Preference Points similar to the Veterans’ Preference Points program. During your application process you will be asked if you would like to be considered for either of these programs for additional points in the hiring process. To learn more about Disability Hiring Preference and what will be required to participate, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/disability-hiring-preference/home

PLEASE NOTE: With the beginning of this program, CDLE will no longer accept attachments of any kind with applications. Please be as thorough as possible in documenting your education and work history in the application system. Attachments will not be accepted or considered during any phase of the hiring process including minimum qualification screening, comparative analysis, or interviews.

Examples of duties

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT: This position is term-limited (set to expire 6/30/2028) and will be required to work full-time, on site at 27J (Brighton) schools. THERE WILL NOT BE REMOTE OR HYBRID FLEXIBILITY IN THIS ROLE UNLESS IN THE CASE OF A SCHOOL CLOSURE/HOLIDAY BREAK AND AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SUPERVISOR.

The salary range of this posting is:

HOURLY

$31.52 - $43.66

BIWEEKLY

$2,521.38 - $3,492.72

MONTHLY

$5,463.00 - $7,567.55

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) assists people with disabilities to succeed at work and live independently. We believe that anyone with a disability who wants to work, can work, regardless of the type or severity of their disability. We work closely with a variety of partners and stakeholders, including our vendors, employers, state and federal agencies, and Workforce Centers and Centers for Independent Living. The Division is innovative, always working to improve its services. DVR uses public funds to provide our services, so it is important that this money be used responsibly according to our policy, and state and federal rules and regulations.

Disability Innovation Fund Grant Rehabilitation Counselor I Description of Job:

Overview: The School-Based Rehabilitation Counselor plays a key role in supporting potentially eligible and eligible students within a designated school district. Funded by the Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) Grant, this position is part of an interdisciplinary team that includes the secondary education transition team, the local Center for Independent Living, family-led organizations, and other community partners including service providers and vendors with DVR. Responsibilities include determining eligibility for services, developing Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE), and coordinating and providing a variety of services to help students succeed. These services include pre-employment transition services, counseling and guidance, educational and skills training, physical and mental health restoration, and job placement assistance. By partnering closely with these teams, the counselor ensures that students have access to the resources needed to achieve Competitive Integrated Employment.

Duties

Referral and Initial Engagement

• Partners with interdisciplinary team members to obtain referrals and ensure students in the assigned school district are aware of the services available from DVR. Schedules and completes the initial engagement process for potentially eligible and eligible youth with disabilities, and obtains their medical, social, and vocational history. Analyzes collected data to determine additional information needs. Arranges and schedules general medical examinations, specialty examinations, vocational assessments, and psychological testing, and requests existing information when available, after securing appropriate release of information forms. Engages students and youth with disabilities in all decisions affecting them and provides clear methods for appealing decisions if disagreements arise. Referral and initial engagement occurs in person at the school district in order to foster face-to-face meetings with students and collaboration within school based interdisciplinary teams

Program Enrollment and Eligibility Determination

• Utilizes existing information from the interdisciplinary team, including school records, assessments, and existing medical records, to support Program Enrollment. Provides students with informed choices about accessing Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and determines the appropriate program for each student—either Pre-ETS programming or the full scope of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services.
• When the full scope of VR services is needed, compiles and analyzes gathered data to ensure that apparent and suspected disabilities have been identified and evaluated. Uses expertise in medical aspects, vocational and psychological assessment, and knowledge of individual differences to assess the limitations, assets, interests, and expectations of students and youth with disabilities. Synthesizes and interprets all information to develop a written eligibility determination.
• Follows up on all recommendations made by physicians, converts and translates data gathered into functional limitations, and determines if there is a resultant vocational barrier. Certifies applicants as potentially eligible, , eligible, or ineligible and follows due process ensuring the rights of students and youth with disabilities. Makes determinations regarding the severity of disability and places individuals in the proper category of priority. Engages and notifies students and youth with disabilities of all decisions affecting them and provides clear methods for appealing decisions if disagreements arise.

Vocational Planning and Individualized Plan for Employment Development

• Engages in vocational planning to support students with Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), ensuring they have the opportunity to explore all stated vocational goals and develop necessary skills to prepare for entrance into Competitive Integrated Employment (CIE). Utilizes existing information from the interdisciplinary team, including school records, assessments, and existing medical records, to support vocational planning. Vocational planning and Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) development occurs in person at the school district in order to foster collaboration within school based interdisciplinary teams.
• Counsels students and youth with disabilities and provides vocational guidance to develop a viable Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) when the full scope of VR services are needed. The IPE will supply appropriate services to overcome or compensate for vocational barriers, attain and maintain employment, and live independently. Uses expertise of available resources and provides counseling and guidance to ensure that the vocational goal is realistic and suitable. Establishes evaluation criteria for measuring progress toward the goal, sets time frames, and identifies service providers.
• Engages and notifies students and youth with disabilities of all decisions affecting them and provides clear methods for appealing decisions if disagreements arise.

Service Provision and Coordination

• Provides and coordinates services, including Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) and vocational services to students and youth with disabilities to support attainment of Competitive Integrated Employment. This role involves both providing direct services to students, such as individualized services and group workshops, and coordinating the provision of services with service providers and the interdisciplinary team. Ensures that services provided complement and supplement current transition services offered by secondary education. Additionally, assists with connecting students to apprenticeship opportunities within the local community.
• Implements plans for meeting established vocational goals and intermediate objectives. Identifies, coordinates, and authorizes vendors and resources to provide services and goods to meet the individual needs of each youth. Identifies and assigns fiscal responsibility, including locating comparable benefits, determining financial participation ability, making written fiscal commitments, and applying cooperative arrangements with other agencies.
• Engages and notifies students and youth with disabilities of all decisions affecting them and provides clear methods for appealing decisions if disagreements arise.

Monitors Service Provision

• Collaborates with students and youth to monitor the provision of services, ensuring their quality and effectiveness in meeting the agreed-upon vocational goals. Maintains financial accountability for services provided, ensuring that comparable benefits and resources are identified and utilized whenever possible. Ensures that all planned services are provided and determines if new services are needed, making amendments to the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) as necessary. Monitors the progress of students and youth toward their identified goals, ensuring satisfactory advancement. Monitoring of service provision occurs in person in order to foster face to face meetings with students and collaboration within school based interdisciplinary teams.
• Engages and notifies students and youth of all decisions affecting them and provides clear methods for appealing decisions if disagreements arise. Manages each case effectively throughout the vocational rehabilitation process, ensuring smooth progression and adherence to program integrity, fiscal rules, policies, and procedures. Follows all areas of due process and maintains up-to-date documentation in each case file.

Employment Outcomes

• Provides services such as job-seeking skills training and job placement assistance to help students and youth achieve the outcomes of their Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). Utilizes knowledge of career pathways, sector strategies, and labor market information to assist students and youth in entering competitive, integrated employment. Ensures that case closure decisions are compliant with policy.
• Monitors contacts with employers and conducts ongoing activities to market the employment of individuals with disabilities in the community through individual contacts and group presentations. Engages and notifies students and youth of all decisions affecting them and provides clear methods for appealing decisions if disagreements arise.

Partnerships

• The position develops, and coordinates improved interagency practices and procedures that result in the creation of viable career pathways which lead to successful employment outcomes for students and youth with disabilities. The position involves interacting with local education staff, community system providers, community referral sources and DVR staff to promote VR services and local working agreements.

Qualifications

Class Code & Classification Description:

H6R2TX Rehabilitation Counselor I

Minimum Qualifications:

Rehabilitation Counselor I Requirement

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from a program fully accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), or for graduation prior to July 1, 2017, accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE)

OR

Possession of a current certification in Vision Rehabilitation Therapist from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP), or a Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling Certification credential (CRCC)

OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Special Education, Social Work, Behavioral Science, Disability Studies or closely related human services field AND two (2) years of experience providing services to individuals with disabilities appropriate to the work assignment.

Required Competencies

• Job Knowledge: Foundational understanding of federal regulations, policies, fee schedules, and procedures.
• Service Delivery Best Practices: Knowledge of best practices in rehabilitation counseling and service delivery techniques for working with students with disabilities.
• Cultural Awareness: Awareness of cultural and socioeconomic diversity and its impact on service delivery.
• Counseling: Counseling skills, including appropriate verbal and non-verbal attending behavior to communicate understanding, create clarity, and build rapport with students.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills for interacting with students, families, and professional partners.
• Time Management: Effective time management, quality documentation, and organizational skills.
• Technology: Proficiency in using computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets and virtual meeting software.
• Problem-Solving: Problem-solving skills, including identifying and resolving problems in a timely manner, gathering and analyzing information, and developing alternative solutions.
• Collaboration: Ability to foster a collaborative environment with community partners, vendors, and staff.
• Cultural Competence: Capacity to work effectively with individuals from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Adaptability: Flexibility in adjusting to changes in the work environment and managing competing demands.
• Relationship Building: Ability to build and maintain professional relationships.
• Professionalism: Professional demeanor and ethical behavior in all interactions.
• Professional Development: Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current on best practices in rehabilitation counseling and service delivery to students with disabilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with Centers for Independent Living
• Case management experience
• Professional experience working for a state vocational rehabilitation agency as a rehabilitation counselor.
• Experience working in special education within a secondary education setting
• Professional experience working to assist transition aged youth (15-24) with disabilities to achieve successful employment outcomes.
• Performing similar duties as a State of Colorado classified employee.

Conditions of Employment:

• Any applicant selected from outside of Colorado will be required to become a Colorado Resident by their start of employment date.
• You must pass a thorough background check prior to employment which will include the E-Verify process.
• This position is term-limited and set to expire 6/30/2028.
• Position will be primarily housed within 27J School District (88 N 40th Ave Bldg A, Brighton, CO 80601). Position may also be required to report to other schools within the school district; additional occasional statewide travel required. When not working at the school district, position will be required to report to the Northglenn DVR office or work from home as permitted by the supervisor. NOTE: this position will be expected to work year round at the school, even during traditional school breaks such as Summer or Fall breaks

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

Supplemental information

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact: david.stevenson@state.co.us

Minimum Qualification Screening

A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, CDLE does not accept attachments of any kind during the application process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. CDLE does not accept attachments of any kind during the application process.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit with your application materials. Therefore, it is extremely important to document in the work experience/job duties portion of your online application the extent to which you possess the education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement. It is also important to thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase.

Supplemental Questions

Answer the supplemental questions on the application completely and thoughtfully. Your answers may be rated based on your writing ability (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing) as well as the content of your answer.

Work Visas

CDLE does not sponsor Work Visas of any type.

Applicant Use Of AI

The use of AI tools to aid in preparing application materials is allowed under the condition that the applicant independently verifies and confirms the information's accuracy before submission. Applicants are fully accountable for the content of their submissions and must ensure the safe and ethical use of any AI tools. Furthermore, active and direct participation in the interview process is required.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE AND/OR FUTURE VACANCIES

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinators at CDLE_HR_ADA@state.co.us. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For all other inquiries about this recruitment effort, please call 303-318-8200.

While a salary range is posted for this position, an eventual salary offer is determined by a comprehensive salary analysis, which considers multiple factors including but not limited to education and experience compared to others in the organization doing substantially similar work.