Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Compensation Range: $30/hr - $32/hr commensurate with experience 

Benefits:
We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary. Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year. We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and text books.

Overview:

The SUD Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor helps individuals in treatment for or recovery from substance use disorders achieve competitive employment and long-term career success. Through vocational counseling, career planning, job readiness training, employer engagement, job placement, and retention support, the counselor promotes recovery, economic self-sufficiency, and workforce participation. This role collaborates with treatment providers, employers, workforce agencies, community partners, and OASAS to deliver person-centered employment services.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct vocational assessments and provide individual and group career counseling.


• Develop and monitor individualized employment plans aligned with recovery goals.


• Deliver job readiness services, including resume development, interview preparation, job search assistance, and career coaching.


• Coordinate referrals to training, education, certification, and workforce development programs.


• Facilitate job placement and provide retention and advancement support.


• Build relationships with employers and community partners to expand employment opportunities.


• Educate employers on recovery-friendly workplace practices and available workforce resources.


• Collaborate with treatment teams and service providers to integrate employment into recovery planning.


• Maintain accurate documentation, track outcomes, and ensure compliance with OASAS, HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, and organizational requirements.


• Participate in program evaluation, quality improvement, and staff development activities.

Requirements:

• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC)  Master's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling  Access-VR Certified Counselor  CASAC, LMSW, LMHC, or LCSW  Master's degree in a related human services field 


• OASAS or NYSED recognized certification 


• Equivalent competencies consistent with certified vocational rehabilitation professionals 

Preferred Experience: 

• Two or more years in vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, behavioral health, or SUD treatment. 


• Experience working with individuals in recovery. 


• Group facilitation. 


• Knowledge of OASAS, Access-VR, and workforce systems

Union Affiliations:

This position is included in a bargaining unit of Housing Works’ New York City employees represented by a labor union known as the Retail Wholesale and Department Store Union (“RWDSU”). Accordingly, the RWDSU has the exclusive right to bargain over the terms and conditions of the employment related to this position and this position may become covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (a “CBA”) between Housing Works and the RWDSU.

Housing Works

Housing Works was founded in 1990 with a long-term commitment to AIDS advocacy. Housing Works established New York State’s first harm reduction-based, OASAS-licensed outpatient drug treatment program. Other services include Health Home care management, behavioral health, and syringe exchange programs.

A pioneer in the social entrepreneurship movement, Housing Works operates 10 high-end thrift shops in Manhattan and Brooklyn and a much-loved Bookstore Cafe in Soho. Housing Works fights for funding and legislation to ensure that all people living with HIV/AIDS have access to quality housing, healthcare, HIV prevention, and treatment, among other lifesaving services. For more information, visit www.housingworks.org.

Important Information for Applicants

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  COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: Housing Works requires employees working in our Health Services division to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless approved for a legal accommodation. If you need an accommodation for any reason, including related to this job requirement, please contact Human Resources.

  
  


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  Fraud Alert: Job candidates should be aware that scammers may pose as employers and create fake job postings in order to extract personal information from individuals for financial gain. Housing Works will never ask job candidates for personal information, such as social security numbers or bank account details, over the phone. If you suspect that a job posting may be fake or wish to confirm that a job posting from Housing Works is genuine, please contact us at [email protected].

  
  

   

  
  

Benefits

• 
  

  We have three comprehensive healthcare plans to choose from based on your priorities and budget. Housing Works covers most of the plan; you pay a portion, based on your salary.

  
  


• 
  

  Staff begins accruing PTO immediately for a total of up to 30 days earned in the first year.

  
  


• 
  

  We offer employees an educational benefit. This money is available for tuition loan reimbursement, tuition costs, and textbooks.

  
  

   

  
  

Equal Employment Opportunity

Housing Works provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Housing Works complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Housing Works also does not request prior salary information during the hiring process. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.