Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

The Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Specialist (VRES) supports people with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and other vocational barriers to obtain and maintain meaningful employment. The VRES conducts individualized vocational assessments, develops person-centered employment plans, delivers job readiness training, engages employers for job development and placement, provides on-the-job coaching and follow-up supports, and coordinates with interdisciplinary teams and community partners to ensure successful employment outcomes. This role requires strong case management, employer relations, benefits counseling, and documentation skills to meet program performance targets and compliance standards.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Job Coach or Supported Employment Specialist
Case Manager or Community Support Worker
Rehabilitation Technician or Disability Services Coordinator

Advancement To:

Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Employment Specialist
Vocational Rehabilitation Team Lead / Supervisor
Program Manager / Employment Services Manager
Director of Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Lateral Moves:

Job Developer / Business Engagement Specialist
Career Counselor or Workforce Navigator
Disability Rights Advocate or Benefits Counselor

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive vocational assessments and functional evaluations that integrate work history, transferable skills, vocational interests, labor market data, and disability-related limitations to create individualized employment plans (IEPs/IEPs-equivalent).
Develop, implement, and monitor individualized vocational rehabilitation plans that set measurable employment goals, outline steps to job readiness, identify accommodations, and define timelines and success metrics aligned with state/federal vocational rehabilitation guidelines.
Provide targeted job readiness training and vocational counseling including resume development, interview preparation, job search strategies, workplace etiquette, soft-skill building, and time management tailored to each client’s needs.
Perform active job development and employer outreach by identifying hiring opportunities, building sustained relationships with hiring managers, marketing candidates to employers, and negotiating job tasks and accommodations.
Deliver on-site and remote job coaching and supported employment services during job trials, initial placement, and stabilization periods to ensure successful job retention and performance.
Coordinate workplace accommodations and assistive technology assessments with employers, occupational therapists, and assistive technology specialists to ensure appropriate accommodations and ADA compliance.
Provide benefits counseling and work incentives counseling (e.g., SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, Ticket to Work) to help clients understand how employment impacts benefits, maximize financial independence, and avoid unintended loss of supports.
Maintain an active caseload and ensure timely, accurate documentation of assessments, service plans, progress notes, employer contacts, and outcome metrics in agency case management systems according to program and funder requirements.
Facilitate vocational training, group workshops, and soft-skill classes onsite or via virtual platforms to improve employability and long-term career success.
Conduct community outreach and networking with workforce boards, One-Stop Career Centers, vocational schools, employers, unions, and community-based organizations to expand placement opportunities.
Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams — including vocational counselors, mental health providers, substance use treatment teams, housing specialists, and educational partners — to coordinate wraparound services that support employment goals.
Monitor client progress through data-driven metrics, track employment outcomes (e.g., placement rates, retention at 90/180/365 days), and contribute to program performance reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
Develop and implement job trials, internships, apprenticeships, and work experience placements that provide real-world exposure and on-the-job skill acquisition.
Provide crisis intervention and problem-solving support to address barriers that jeopardize employment, including transportation, childcare, health issues, and workplace conflicts, and make timely referrals to appropriate community resources.
Train and educate employers on inclusive hiring practices, disability awareness, workplace accommodations, and job carving to create sustainable, high-quality employment opportunities for clients.
Advocate on behalf of clients with employers, government agencies, insurance carriers, and benefits administrators to secure reasonable accommodations, funding for supports, and necessary approvals.
Assist in obtaining funding and community resources for vocational supports (e.g., transportation vouchers, work clothing, adaptive equipment) and ensure expenditures align with client plans and program budgets.
Conduct periodic workplace visits and follow-up contacts after placement to assess job fit, address performance challenges, and provide coaching to both client and employer to enhance retention.
Prepare detailed vocational evaluation reports, progress reports, and closure documentation that summarize functional capacity, vocational potential, job placement outcomes, and recommended next steps.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal vocational rehabilitation regulations, privacy laws (HIPAA), and agency policies while participating in audits, case reviews, and quality assurance processes.
Use evidence-based vocational interventions, supported employment models (e.g., IPS/Individual Placement and Support where applicable), and best practices to maximize client employment outcomes.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, case conferences, and planning sessions with vocational rehabilitation counselors and community partners to align services and resolve complex cases.
Support transition-age youth and young adults by coordinating school-to-work plans, assisting with vocational training placements, and liaising with educational institutions to support IEP or transition goals.
Utilize labor market information and career pathway mapping to advise clients on sustainable career options, wage progression, credentialing opportunities, and occupational growth sectors.
Facilitate targeted training for staff and peers on job development techniques, documentation best practices, benefits planning basics, and cultural competency to improve program quality and consistency.

Secondary Functions

Participate in program development, continuous improvement initiatives, and the creation of standardized tools and templates for vocational assessments and progress tracking.
Support grant applications, reporting, and data collection efforts to secure funding and demonstrate program impact to stakeholders and funders.
Assist with intake screening, eligibility determination, and initial orientation for new participants joining vocational rehabilitation programs.
Contribute to employer engagement campaigns, job fairs, and community events to raise program visibility and recruit hiring partners.
Provide mentorship and informal supervision to junior staff, interns, or volunteers engaged in job coaching and employment services.
Maintain professional development by attending trainings, webinars, and conferences focused on vocational rehabilitation, disability employment law, and evidence-based employment practices.
Ensure timely entry of outcome data into case management systems and assist program leadership in preparing monthly and quarterly performance dashboards.
Support marketing and social media efforts by preparing success stories, testimonials, and case studies that highlight client achievements (with client consent).

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Vocational assessment and functional evaluation expertise (work capacity, transferable skills, labor market matching).
Case management and service planning using electronic case management systems (e.g., Apricot, ETO, Efforts to Outcomes, Salesforce for Nonprofits).
Job development, employer engagement, and negotiation skills to secure job placements and reasonable accommodations.
Supported employment models and job coaching techniques, including on-site mentoring and job shadowing methods.
Benefits counseling and knowledge of public benefits (SSI/SSDI, Medicaid, Medicare, TANF) and work incentives programs (Ticket to Work, PASS).
Knowledge of ADA, Section 504, disability rights, workplace accommodation processes, and relevant federal/state regulations.
Assistive technology assessment familiarity and ability to coordinate adaptive equipment procurement and workplace modifications.
Strong documentation, report writing, and outcomes reporting skills with attention to data integrity and confidentiality (HIPAA compliance).
Basic to advanced computer skills: MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook), virtual meeting platforms, electronic scheduling, and digital job search tools.
Understanding of vocational training pathways, credentialing processes, apprenticeships, and industry-specific hiring requirements.
Crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and ability to coordinate emergency referrals for mental health or medical services.
Experience with community resource mapping, referral networks, and partner relationship management.

Soft Skills

Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with employers, clients, and multidisciplinary teams.
Empathy, cultural competence, and trauma-informed approach when working with diverse populations and people with barriers to employment.
Strong verbal and written communication skills for coaching, training employers, and preparing professional reports.
Problem-solving orientation with creativity in job carving and individualized placement solutions.
Time management, organization, and the ability to prioritize competing caseload demands and meet deadlines.
Resilience and adaptability in a fast-paced, outcomes-driven environment.
Motivational interviewing and client engagement techniques to build readiness and sustain employment.
Confidentiality, professionalism, and ethical judgment in handling sensitive client information.
Collaboration and team-oriented mindset to support integrated service delivery across agencies.
Attention to detail and accuracy in documentation and compliance activities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED required; associate degree in human services or related field preferred.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Education, or related field.
Certifications such as Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP), or benefits counseling certification are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Rehabilitation Counseling
Social Work
Psychology
Human Services
Special Education
Career Development / Workforce Development

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of direct experience working in vocational rehabilitation, supported employment, job coaching, workforce development, or related disability services.

Preferred:

2+ years of experience in job development, employer relations, and placement services for individuals with disabilities or significant barriers to employment.
Demonstrated track record of achieving placement and retention outcomes, familiarity with state vocational rehabilitation processes, and experience working with public benefits and employer accommodation requests.