Job Overview
Job Description
Working Title: Work Incentive Counselor
Job Title: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor II
Supervisor: Jolene Wyler
The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) is seeking a motivated and skilled individual to fill the position of a Work Incentive Counselor in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Work Incentive Counselor provides services to USOR clientele, giving them information about work incentives and related employment issues, and preparing accurate and detailed reports regarding a client’s status. This includes helping them understand and use programs that support engagement with the workforce.
The Work Incentive Counselor will also provide training and technical assistance to their local agency staff and providers. They will collaborate with community partners and various public agencies.
The initial training and certification for this position is at least a year in length. It may take another year to attain full competency. If you are not able to commit to this timeline, we ask you to consider this before applying for the position.
Principal Duties
The Work Incentive Counselor performs the following tasks:
- Conducts in-depth interviews to obtain and evaluate information about a client’s situation including: background information, disability, employment and earnings, resources, federal, state and local benefits, health insurance, work expenses, and other supports.
- Research, verify, and interpret complex laws, policy and regulations regarding benefits, including SSDI, SSI, Medicare/Medicaid, private health insurance, housing subsidies, SNAP, and any other federal, state and local supports.
- Condense complex information into a teachable format (written report) for the client to understand and use.
- Meet with the client and teach them important information on how work affects their Social Security and other public benefits and reporting requirements.
- Maintain ongoing contact with Social Security Administration personnel. Also work cooperatively and collaboratively with USOR staff, and other divisions of Department of Workforce Services, along with external resources. These may include providers, employment networks, and advocacy groups.
- Provide routine outreach activities to beneficiaries, community partners, schools, and providers.
This position may be under filled as a Rehabilitation Counselor I or a Rehabilitation Trainee.
- Rehabilitation Trainee – BS Degree – No work related experience – $17.93
- Rehabilitation Counselor I – BS Degree + 1 year work related experience – $19.73
- Rehabilitation Counselor II – Masters in VRC or related field + 1 year work related experience – $21.71
The Ideal Applicant
The model applicant for this position is someone who:
- Has a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Social Work, Education, Psychology,
Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies or another related field of study. - Has proven math, analytical thinking, and problem solving skills, including the ability to interpret Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and administrative code about public benefits.
- Is able to teach and communicate effectively about complex information with persons with a wide range of disabilities, communication styles, and cultural backgrounds.
- Has at least two years of direct work experience with a state vocational rehabilitation agency.
- Is a current state employee.
- Is willing to travel.
- Has strong oral and written communication skills.
- Has excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and collaboration skills
Preference
Preference points may be given for the following:
- Certified Community Partner Work Incentive Counselor
Why You Should Join Our Team
This is an opportunity to make a difference. Along with the satisfaction of helping individuals with disabilities you will receive great health and retirement benefits. Click here to view a summary of the benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work life balance.
The Agency
The mission of Workforce Services is to strengthen Utah’s communities by connecting the workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.
Supplemental Information
DHRM rules regarding promotions and transfers apply to current state of Utah employees.
Applicants must be able to pass a Tier 2 Social Security Suitability check.
