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Rehabilitation Counselor - Cedar Rapids

Job Description

Make an Impact. Empower Careers. Strengthen Communities.

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) is seeking a Rehabilitation Counselor to join our team at the IowaWORKS office in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This role is more than a job- it is an opportunity to partner with individuals with disabilities as they build meaningful, sustainable employment and greater independence.

If you are motivated by purpose-driven work, collaboration, and helping others reach their full potential, we encourage you to apply.

Position Details

Location: 1025 Kirkwood Pkwy SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Schedule: Full-time | Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Work Flexibility: Hybrid telework and alternate schedules available after six months of employment
Start Date: Immediate

New Hires will start at base starting wage: $26.86/hour, $2,148.80 bi-weekly, $55,868.80 annually

Candidates who possess a Master’s degree in a related field and relevant professional experience may be considered for a higher starting salary within the pay range, consistent with State of Iowa compensation guidelines.

Pay Grade: 28
Rehabilitation Counselor positions with a bachelor’s degree, the position will be capped at 85%. pay range

What You’ll Do

As a Rehabilitation Counselor, you will provide counseling, coordination, and comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities. You will guide participants through career exploration, planning, and placement while collaborating with families, schools, providers, and employers to remove barriers and create pathways to competitive, integrated employment.

Core Responsibilities

Deliver Pre-Employment Transition Services to potentially eligible students
Interview applicants and support teams; gather medical, psychological, educational, and social information
Determine eligibility and Significance of Disability classifications
Develop Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs) tailored to each participant’s goals, interests, and abilities
Provide counseling and guidance to support informed career decisions and long-term employment success
Coordinate and authorize services necessary to achieve employment goals
Interpret and apply federal regulations and agency policies consistently across cases
Maintain accurate and timely case documentation within the case management system
Collaborate with internal teams to meet compliance standards, timeframes, and agency goals

Business & Community Engagement

Build partnerships with employers, community providers, schools, and workforce organizations
Educate businesses on disability inclusion and reasonable accommodations
Develop on-the-job training, work-based learning, and apprenticeship opportunities
Collaborate with the Iowa Workforce Development Business Engagement Team for employer outreach
Support job carving and customized employment aligned with participant strengths and goals

Additional Expectations

Travel statewide to schools, rehabilitation facilities, businesses, and community locations
Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities
Successfully complete a criminal background check through the Iowa Department of Public Safety

What We’re Looking For

Strong counseling, communication, and interpersonal skills
Ability to analyze information, exercise sound judgment, and document decisions clearly
Commitment to equity, accessibility, and inclusive employment practices
Collaborative mindset and comfort working with diverse stakeholders
Organizational skills and attention to compliance and timelines

About the Agency

Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services (IVRS) operates within Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities achieve independence through employment.

IWD is a statewide agency focused on connecting job seekers with opportunities and supporting employers in building strong, skilled workforces. Through IowaWORKS centers and partner offices across the state, IWD delivers demand-driven workforce services that strengthen Iowa’s economy and communities.

Benefits of Working for the State of Iowa

Joining IVRS means becoming part of a mission-driven public service team with a comprehensive benefits package:

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
Generous Paid Time Off- vacation, sick leave (no accrual cap), and nine paid holidays
IPERS Retirement Plan plus optional deferred compensation savings
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care
Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability Coverage
Employee Assistance & Discount Programs
Professional development and career growth opportunities

Click here to learn more about all of the amazing benefits the State of Iowa offers.

Why This Role Matters

Every plan you build, every partnership you create, and every individual you support contributes to a more inclusive workforce and stronger Iowa communities. This position offers the chance to see direct, lasting impact in the lives of others while building a meaningful public service career.

If you’re ready to combine purpose with profession, we’d love to meet you.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify; a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

No applicant for employment with the Iowa Department of Workforce Development can have a current, ongoing overpayment balance with Iowa Workforce Development without a payment plan in place. Selected positions will be subject to a criminal background check.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification:

All of the following (a and b): (a) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in a human-services-related field; and (b) A total of one year of graduate-level education and/or full-time work in professional vocational rehabilitation counseling services or human services field, where twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in rehabilitation counseling, human resources, school counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, education, or a closely-related field equals one year of full-time experience.
All of the following (a and b): (a) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in any field; and (b) A total of twenty-four semester hours of accredited graduate college or university coursework in rehabilitation counseling, human resources, school counseling, mental health counseling, social work, psychology, education, or a closely-related field.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader).