Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS)
Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA)
4760 South Park Avenue Tucson Arizona 85701

Salary: $23.3222 - $26.6541/ hourly ($48510.17 - $55440.52 annually)

Annual stipend of up to $500.00 may be available to those who demonstrate a minimum of intermediate proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) through examination.

Grade: 20

Closing Date:Open until sufficient resumes are received

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive At the Department of Economic Security (DES) we strengthen individuals families and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals that are committed to service community and teamwork. To learn more about DES please visit ; or click on the link here to view Our DES video. Come join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) strengthens Arizona communities by bridging and minimizing gaps to employment and independence.

DES is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing with the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). This position will report to the Supervisor and provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and guidance to individuals who are deaf hard of hearing and or have a combined vision and hearing loss independent to address impediments to employment and gain the skills to enter or retain employment. This position will serve in a hybrid work environment.

Based on your qualifications you will be placed in one of the following tiers:

Entry Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Bachelors degree in a field of study reasonably related to rehabilitation counseling or another field that reasonably prepares individuals to work with individuals with disabilities and employers and two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities

Intermediate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Masters degree in a field of study closely related to rehabilitation counseling and one year of experience working with individuals with disabilities (Closely related fields are defined by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.)

Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Meets Intermediate credential requirements plus has a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification

Annual salary is commensurate with education and qualifications ranging from $48510.17 to $55440.52

Travel will be required for client meetings outreach/events office coverage.

Travel will be required for State business. If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current valid class-appropriate drivers license complete all required training and successfully pass all necessary drivers license record checks. The license must be current unexpired and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on State business are subject to drivers license record checks must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on State business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code A.A.C. R.11).

This position may be available for remote work within Arizona (minimum 2 days per week in the office/hoteling).

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility autonomy and trust. Across our many agencies boards commissions many State employees participate in the States Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes in offices and in hoteling spaces. All work including remote work should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Entry Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Introduces clients to the vocational rehabilitation program including program eligibility criteria and clients right and responsibilities
Reviews clients medical and/or psychological information to identify employment needs and goals as well as available services and resources
Provides vocational counseling career exploration and labor market exploration to determine suitable employment goals
Meets with clients on a one-on-one basis to problem solve and establish or modify an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
Provides case management and maintains regular contact with clients service providers and collaborative programs and assess services and IPE progress
Manages fiscal resources including authorizing reviewing and payment of services

Intermediate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Same duties as listed above and the following duties:
Provides case management to clients with complex needs and goals
Serves as program liaison for specialized groups
Provides guidance to Entry Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors

Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Same duties listed above and the following duties:
May serve as back up to the Rehabilitation Supervisor
Provides case management to clients with high complexity level

Knowledge of Federal and State laws statutes rules regulations pertaining to vocational rehabilitation services
At least one year of case management experience
Experience working with individuals with disabilities
Broad knowledge of physical mental and cognitive disabilities
Familiar with referral and community resources
Understands computer access technology and assistive aids & devices
Knowledge of occupational opportunities and labor market trends
Ability to motivate clients in achieving goals
Effective oral and written communication
Strong time management skills
Resourceful and problem solver
Excellent interpersonal skills

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

Proficient in American Sign Language (ASL)
Experience in working with persons with disabilities primarily persons who are deaf hard of hearing or deaf-blind

Please see the qualification tiers listed above.
Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
Candidate shall have or meet the requirements to obtain prior to their first day of employment a valid Level One Arizona fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agencys ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Affordable medical dental life and short-term disability insurance plans
Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
Tuition Reimbursement
Stipend Opportunities
Infant at Work Program
Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities
Flexible schedules to create a work/life balance

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule employees enjoy improved work/life balance report higher job satisfaction and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On or shortly after your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans enrollment instructions submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity please contact Myranda Carrasco at or email

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting or email Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.