Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Initial Posting Date:

09/25/2025

Application Deadline:

10/12/2025

Agency:

Oregon Health Authority

Salary Range:

$4,833 - $7,407

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (Employment Specialist)-Junction City, Oregon

Job Description:

Opportunity Awaits, Apply Today! Employment Specialist (Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor SR25)-Vocational and Educational Services-Oregon State Hospital in Junction City, Oregon.

Oregon State Hospital, a Joint Commission and CMS certified public psychiatric hospital, provides psychiatric hospital services and patient treatment services to persons committed by the Oregon courts as part of the state mental health system. The Oregon State Hospital is the largest division of OHA with over 2,600 positions across the hospital.

The Vocational and Educational programs of the Vocational, Educational, Spiritual Care, Peer Recovery and Native Services department (VESPN) provide a comprehensive range of vocational services to the inpatient and residential population of Oregon State Hospital.

Vocational Services provides a comprehensive range of vocational and employment related skill training.  Services include evaluation of vocational needs based on vocational history, skills, interests, goals, discharge setting, supports, functional and cognitive status. Services also include patient placement in appropriate vocational settings to facilitate development of a worker role and related work skills; referral to Vocational Rehabilitation Division (VRD) services as appropriate involving collaboration with VRD counselors and administrators; and transition to vocational settings at discharge. Hospital-based vocational services include Benchwork Production/Assembly, Patient Pay and other services. The program develops staff roles to promote efficient use of resources and to maximize service delivery and supports the Hospital mission and clinical goals.

What You Will Do

As it relates to Vocational Services; Employment Specialists make decisions involving patient/resident needs, treatment interventions, treatment goals and determining the effectiveness of employed interventions.  In addition, Employment Specialists participate in decisions involving hiring of patient pay positions, the management of disciplinary issue in collaboration with the patient’s team while in those positions and determining the training needs of patient workers on caseload.  These decisions directly impact patient work skill development and the potential for patient employment upon discharge to the community.

• Engagement:  Develop therapeutic relationship with the patient while interviewing and identifying the vocational needs, desires and goals of the individual.  Career exploration tools or discussions may be used to help the patient learn about occupations that may be of interest.  
• Assessment:  Vocational assessment is ongoing. Assessment prior to job placement aims at problem solving, assessment of environments and consideration of reasonable accommodations.
• Individualized Job Placement:  Supports are provided to assist in obtaining employment at OSH and include coaching on: Work Engagement, Time Management, Ability to Take Directions, Quality of Work, Quantity of work,
• Follow Along Supports:  Within the OSH Environment, provide crisis intervention, job coaching, job counseling, support groups, treatment changes and networked supports.
• Collaboration: Provision of support and coverage to other Treatment Services areas where appropriate. (including but not limited to: Supporting Vocational areas, Supported Education, and Group provision on the Treatment Mall).
• Attendance, Ability to Work with others, Frustration Tolerance, Work Appearance, Safety Awareness, and other skills as necessary. Problem solving issues during employment using specific criteria for measuring Vocational Skills.

This position’s daily work is performed within a psychiatric hospital environment in the presence of people experiencing or living with mental illness whose behavior may be unpredictable and may act out verbally or physically. This position may be required to work in quarantined patient care areas, or in other areas where people with communicable diseases may be present.

This position may be expected to safely lift 50 pounds periodically or utilize assisted lifting devices. Position may be required to work hours subject to change with little notice or may be required to work hours that exceed regular schedule.

For a full review of the position description, Employment Specialist VRC JC

If this opportunity aligns with your strengths, background, and commitment to fostering inclusivity, we encourage you to apply! At the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), we value diversity and encourage applicants from all backgrounds and experiences to help us build a stronger, more equitable future for all. 

What We Are Looking For 

Minimum Qualifications

A master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling OR be certified by either the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), the Certified Insurance Rehabilitation Specialist (CIRS), OR the Certification of Disability Management Specialists Commission as a Certified Disability Management Specialist (CDMS), AND six months full-time work experience providing vocational rehabilitation-related services; OR

A master's degree in psychology, counseling, or a field related to vocational rehabilitation (such as one that promotes the physical, psychosocial, or vocational well-being of individuals with disabilities) AND one-year full-time work experience providing vocational rehabilitation-related services, OR

A bachelor's degree in a related field, such as one that promotes the physical, psychosocial, or vocational well-being of individuals with disabilities AND two years of full-time work experience vocational rehabilitation-related services.

*There is no direct experience substitute for a bachelor’s degree.

Desired Attributes

• Experience working with clients that have experienced incarceration.
• Experience using Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS) communication concepts.
• Experience working in a locked facility.
• Experience documenting client goals and progress.
• Demonstrated knowledge of current trends in Supported Employment and treatment of forensic populations (labor market trends, justice impacted work environments.

Application Guidance 

How to Apply: Submission Requirements - At the time of application, ensure the work history in your applicant profile is up to date and attach a current copy of your resume and cover letter. Please include in your application (1) a cover letter (2 pages maximum) addressing how you meet the minimum qualifications and desired attributes and preferences as appropriate and (2) a resume detailing your lived, learned and professional experience.  

• External Candidates: Visit the State of Oregon job opportunities webpage to submit your application. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements. 
• Internal Candidates: Current State of Oregon employees must apply through the employee Workday login. Be sure to follow all application submission requirements. 
• If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact: Melissa M. Perez at (503) 949-3078 or [email protected]

 After You Apply:  

• Before the job announcement closes, log in to your Workday account to check for pending tasks under “My Applications” and complete them. 
• Remember to check your email (including your junk folder) and Workday inbox for updates on your application. 
• We value our veterans! To ensure the security of your information, kindly follow the instructions for how to submit your Veteran documents for preference found here. Please do not attach your Veterans’ preference documentation in the Resume/CV field of your application.  

Reminders:  

• Your candidate profile and application materials are great opportunities to showcase your interest in the position and highlight your skills and experience. Submissions will be screened for consistency and communication skills, including attention to detail, spelling, and grammar. For more tips and guidance, check out What you need to know to get the job! 
• This announcement is for one, full-time permanent, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor SR25 classification and is represented by a Union. position based in Salem, Oregon. 
• This is a on-site. Please check SECTION 4. WORKING CONDITIONS, of the position description linked above to review more details regarding the details surrounding the working conditions.  
• Please download and save a copy of this job announcement and linked position description, as it is not available after the application deadline.
• This is an open competitive opportunity, so anyone interested is welcome to apply. We encourage you to review and follow the instructions for applying carefully.  
• If you require reasonable accommodation to complete a job application, pre-employment testing, or a job interview or to otherwise participate in the hiring process, please contact Melissa Perez, SPHR at (503) 949-3078 [email protected]

Benefits of Joining Our Team 

We offer a workplace that balances productivity with enjoyment; promotes an atmosphere of respect, dedication, and purpose. You will collaborate with a team of smart, experienced and dedicated people with whom you will work and learn. If you are motivated to do something meaningful that changes lives, the Oregon Health Authority is the place for you. We also offer a competitive benefits package including: 

• Excellent medical, vision, and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members with a very low monthly out-of-pocket cost. 
• Optional life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses. 
• Employee benefits include 11 paid holidays, 3 personal business days, 10 hours of monthly sick leave, and vacation accrual starting at 10 hours per month. 
• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. 
• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Oregon Public Service Retirement Plan (OPSRP). 
• Training opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon. 

Additional Details 

• Employment is contingent upon passing a background check including a criminal records check and a driving records check if applicable that meets OHA criteria at the time of hire and throughout employment. 
• The information in your application will be used to complete an Equal Pay Analysis to determine salary placement upon hire. Visit the Department of Administrative Services Equal Pay Analysis Webpage for more information.  
• The salary listed is the non-PERS qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect the additional 6.95%. Review the Classification and Compensation page for more details on the classification. 
• Agency does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, applicants will be required to complete I-9 documentation and confirm authorization to work in the United States. OHA will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. If your employment authorization and documentation is contingent on sponsorship now or in the future, you will not meet Agency employment eligibility standards. 

Helpful Links & Resources 

How to Set Job Alerts | Workday Applicant FAQ | Oregon Health Authority | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Veterans Resources  

 The Oregon Health Authority is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, committed to fair employment practices and pay equity for all employees. We do not discriminate based on any protected class—including race, sex, veteran status, disability, age, color, religion, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation—and we do not screen applicants based on current or past compensation. Salary is determined through a fair review of your education, experience, and training as it relates to the position.  

OHA strives to be an anti-racist organization working to eliminate health inequities in Oregon by 2030.