Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee

Position Overview

The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the state’s lead division serving people with disabilities committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and racial justice.  The mission of the Division is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals of employment, education, and independent living.  This position coordinates customer case records and documents in a field office pertaining to the service delivery activities to customers in the Bureau of Customer and Community Field Services/Vocational Rehabilitation Program. The Division of Rehabilitation Services is seeking to hire a self-motivated and detail-oriented individual with good communication skills.  This position will receive formal and informal training not to exceed twelve months to learn the rules, regulations, and policies of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program to ultimately manage a caseload providing services to individuals with disabilities to gain competitive integrated employment.  This position requires the use of manual communication skills in working with individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or DeafBlind.

Job Responsibilities

1. For a period not to exceed twelve months, receives formal and informal orientation in the principles, techniques, procedures, and policies related to rehabilitating persons with disabilities in a general vocational rehabilitation, transition, Secondary Transition Experience Program (STEP), or specialty caseload. 

2. Studies and becomes proficient in utilizing the Division’s case management system.

3. Travels to attend and participate in staff meetings, conferences, workshops, and in-service training related to the discipline of rehabilitation counseling.

4. Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires possession of a master’s degree from a college or university program accredited by the Council On Rehabilitation Education (CORE).

OR

A Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university in rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation administration, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, deaf education, special education, or a closely related field.

2. Requires the ability to pass the sign language assessment at the advanced level.

*This class is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

Conditions of Employment

1. Travels in the performance of duties.

*The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours:  Mon - Fri, 8:30am - 5:00pm  
Work Location: 6221 S Emerald Dr Chicago, IL 60621-2059  

Division of Rehabilitation

Bureau of Customer and Community Field Services

Region 1/South
Agency Contact: DHS.HiringUnit@Illinois.gov

Job Family:  Social Services  

About the Agency:

The Illinois Department of Human Services serves families in need across Illinois. Our mission is providing equitable access to social services, supports, programs and resources to enhance the lives of all who we serve. We are committed to the core values of Human Dignity, Equity, Community, Urgency, Transparency and Kindness.

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

A Pension Program

Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance

3 Paid Personal Business Days annually

12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)

10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)

* Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour Work Schedules (as applicable)

13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years

Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)

12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave

Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan

Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)

Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility

5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions

Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program.  General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Title Descriptions. There are three categories of UMP titles: 1) certificate titles which require passing a written proficiency exam; 2) credential titles which require the possession of a specified college degree and/or licensure; and 3) dual titles for which a certificate may be earned by following either the certificate or credential pathway..

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com