Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyEducation Department, State

TitleAssociate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, (Open to current NYS Employees only), Box OSEA-149/43075

Occupational CategoryNo Preference

Salary Grade25

Bargaining UnitPS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)

Salary RangeFrom $96336 to $121413 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Competitive Class

Travel Percentage 30%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 9 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? Yes

Location

County Albany

Street Address Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocation Rehabilitation

Albany VR Central Office

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12234

Job Specifics

Duties Description The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Adult Career and Continuing Education Services-Vocation Rehabilitation (ACCESS-VR) program is seeking a candidate for an Associate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor position in the Central Office Policy Unit in the Albany Central Office. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collaborate with other state agencies and New York State Education Department (NYSED) units, ensuring effective communication and service coordination;
• Revise, update and develop policies and procedures that are in line with state and federal regulations;
• Answer emails in a joint Policy Unit Mailbox that come in from across NYS using in place policies, case specifics and use of regulations;
• Research on state and federal regulations, reviewing and analyzing other VR agency policies and procedures to learn and improve development;
• Attend, present and represent ACCES-VR at a variety of meetings and presentations across other state agencies and within ACCES-VR and NYSED;
• Partner with the ACCES-VR Training Unit (TU) to jointly develop, update, and deliver training sessions on revised policies and procedures;
• Provide training developed based on findings from Quality Assurance (QA) review reports, federal and single state audits, ensuring staff and stakeholders are informed about best practices and changes in the system;
• Work closely with the ACCES-VR State Rehabilitation Council to guide the development of the state plan, conduct customer satisfaction surveys, and assist with the Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment (CSNA) as required;
• Provide insights from a policy and training perspective, responding to issues identified in the reviews.
• Offer office and regional-level guidance based on review findings, ensuring that policy aligns with quality standards.

Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as an Associate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

Eligible List Appointment: Candidates must be reachable on the Civil Service eligible list for this title. If you are on the Civil Service eligible list for this title, you may receive a canvass letter. You must complete and return it as instructed on the letter.

Section 52.6 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title allocated SALARY GRADE 23 or higher eligible to transfer under Section 52.6 of the Civil Service Law. Candidates must also possess EITHER,
1. A current Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) credential as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC); OR
2. a master’s degree or higher in rehabilitation counseling OR
3. a master’s degree or higher in a related degree field* AND completion of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Traineeship OR two year of professional work experience in a related field**.

*Related degree fields include the following:
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Disability Studies, Behavioral Health, Behavioral Science, Blindness/Vision Impaired Rehabilitation and Education, Deaf/Hearing Impaired Rehabilitation and Education, Orientation and Mobility Studies, Educational Psychology, Child/Family Studies, Communication Disorders (including Speech Language Disorders and Pathology), Health Administration, Health Services, Health Studies, Human Development, Human Relations, Human Services, Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, Addictions/Substance Abuse Counseling, Counseling, Mental Health Counselor, Transition Counselor, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Services, School/Guidance/Education Counseling, Special Education, Substance Use Disorders, Vision Rehabilitation Studies, Vocational Assessment, and Vocational Evaluation, Counseling Psychology, Marriage and Family Counseling.

**Acceptable Professional Work Experience in a related field:
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Vocational Assessment, and Vocational Evaluation, Social Work, Psychology, Counseling (including Addictions/Substance Abuse Counseling, Mental Health Counselor, School/Guidance Counseling, Marriage and Family Counseling), Orientation and Mobility, Disability Studies, Behavioral Health, Behavioral Science, Hearing Impaired Education/Rehabilitation, Visually Impaired Education/Rehabilitation, Communication Disorders (including Speech Language Disorders and Pathology), Special Education, School Rehabilitation Services (including Occupational and Physical Therapy) or experience with assisting persons with disabilities to attain employment, educational, and/or independent living goals.

For information regarding the transfer options of your current title, please visit the Civil Service Career Mobility Office Website. https://careermobilityoffice.cs.ny.gov/cmo/gotit/title-search/index.cfm

Provisional Appointment: In the absence of an eligible list with three or more candidates willing to accept a position, a temporary provisional appointment may be considered. For provisional appointment, candidates must be a current New York State Education Department employee AND have one year of permanent competitive or 55-b/55-c service as a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor or Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Manual Communications).

It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.

Employees of ACCES-VR who are currently in an Associate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor position and are interested in transferring to the location indicated on this flyer MUST apply for the position as outlined in the Application section of this flyer.

Additional Comments CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This will be a permanent, competitive appointment. This may be a temporary provisional appointment. Provisional candidates must take the examination for Associate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor when it is next offered and must be reachable on the resulting eligible list to maintain employment. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period and is granted at the discretion of the supervisor and the appointing office. This position will require 30% in-state/Statewide travel. Federal law may impose additional requirements or restrictions regarding positions that receive federal funding.

This position leads to a maximum salary of $121,413 based on annual performance advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts

APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by May 4, 2026 to OSEAJOBS@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OSEA-149/43075) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.

New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.

Interested in a job with New York State, but don’t know where to start?

Visit these links for information on working for New York State:
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/jobseeker/
• https://www.cs.ny.gov/pio/publications/gettingajob.pdf

Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:

Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.

Health Care Benefits
• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits
• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

How to Apply

Name Office of Human Resources Management

Telephone (518) 474-5215

Fax (518) 486-5631

Email Address oseajobs@nysed.gov

Address

Street NYS Education Department

89 Washington Avenue, OHRM, Room 528 EB

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12234

 

Notes on ApplyingAPPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by May 4, 2026 to OSEAJOBS@nysed.gov (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OSEA-149/43075) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.