Torchora
Back to Home

Vocational Support Consultant

💰 $45,000 - $70,000

Human ServicesVocational RehabilitationSupported EmploymentDisability Services

🎯 Role Definition

The Vocational Support Consultant partners with job seekers, employers and multidisciplinary teams to design and deliver evidence-informed vocational rehabilitation and supported employment services. This role conducts vocational assessments, develops individualized employment plans (IEPs), provides hands-on job coaching and ongoing workplace support, and advocates for reasonable accommodations to achieve sustained employment outcomes. The ideal candidate combines case management discipline with excellent employer engagement, benefit counseling, and outcome-driven reporting skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Job Coach / Employment Support Worker
  • Rehabilitation Assistant / Support Worker
  • Case Manager or Community Support Worker

Advancement To:

  • Senior Vocational Consultant / Senior Employment Specialist
  • Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist / Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
  • Program Manager / Employment Services Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Supported Employment Specialist
  • Disability Case Manager
  • Return-to-Work (RTW) Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct comprehensive vocational assessments using standardized tools and structured interviews to identify skills, work preferences, functional limitations and environmental supports for job seekers with disabilities or complex barriers to employment.
  • Develop individualized employment plans (IEPs) that outline vocational goals, action steps, timelines, support needs and measurable employment outcomes aligned with funder and organizational KPIs.
  • Provide intensive one-on-one job coaching in workplace and community settings to teach job tasks, workplace routines, social and communication skills, and problem-solving strategies until the employee reaches sustained independence.
  • Conduct labor market analysis and job development activities, proactively identifying and cultivating employer relationships to create job opportunities that match client strengths and placement goals.
  • Facilitate workplace assessments and recommend reasonable accommodations, job carving and task simplification in partnership with employers, occupational therapists and healthcare providers.
  • Deliver pre-employment services including resume development, interview preparation, workplace etiquette training, transportation planning and supported job trials to increase readiness for competitive employment.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary care by attending and contributing to clinical, educational and social service team meetings to ensure integrated support planning and continuity of care.
  • Support return-to-work (RTW) planning by interpreting medical and functional reports, negotiating graduated duties and schedules with employers, and monitoring progress post-return.
  • Provide benefits counselling (e.g., Social Security, disability benefits, wage-reporting implications) to help clients make informed decisions about employment and income supports.
  • Manage a caseload of clients by maintaining accurate, timely documentation in case management systems, completing service plans, progress notes, and funding reports to meet audit and contractual obligations.
  • Track client outcomes and employment metrics, prepare outcome reports for funders and leadership, and use data to continuously improve placement strategies and service delivery.
  • Advocate on behalf of clients with employers, government agencies, landlords and community providers to remove barriers and secure resources that promote employment stability.
  • Deliver group workshops on job readiness topics such as soft skills, workplace safety, time management and conflict resolution to cohort groups of job seekers.
  • Train and advise employer supervisors and colleagues on disability awareness, inclusive practices, and reasonable adjustments to promote retention and a supportive workplace culture.
  • Implement Supported Employment/Individual Placement and Support (IPS) principles, adapting evidence-based approaches to local labor markets and funding structures to increase competitive employment outcomes.
  • Conduct risk assessments and safety planning for community-based placements, responding to emergent situations and coordinating crisis supports as needed to ensure client and workplace safety.
  • Negotiate job terms, wages and work schedules with employers to facilitate appropriate placements while protecting client rights and meeting funding guidelines.
  • Facilitate follow-up supports and retention strategies for placed clients, conducting regular workplace visits, phone check-ins and problem-solving sessions during critical first 90–180 days.
  • Maintain community outreach and referral networks with hospitals, mental health providers, vocational schools and community organizations to grow service pipelines and collaborative opportunities.
  • Prepare and present complex case summaries and recommendations for internal case conferences, funding reviews and interagency meetings to secure program resources and approvals.
  • Support transition-to-work programming for youth and students with disabilities, collaborating with educational teams to provide vocational profiling, internships and supported learning opportunities.

Secondary Functions

  • Contribute to service development by piloting new employment supports, measuring impact and scaling effective practices across programs.
  • Support eligibility assessments, intake interviews and orientation sessions to onboard new clients into vocational programs.
  • Assist with grant writing, proposals and contract renewals by supplying program metrics, client success stories and operational insights.
  • Deliver internal training for colleagues on vocational assessment tools, documentation standards and employer engagement techniques.
  • Participate in quality assurance reviews and accreditation activities to ensure compliance with professional and funding standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Vocational assessment and profiling (e.g., use of O*NET, WorkAbility, FCE, vocational interest and skills inventories).
  • Individualized Employment Plan (IEP) development and measurable goal-setting.
  • Supported Employment (IPS) and evidence-based job development techniques.
  • Employer engagement, job development, and job carving strategies to create competitive employment opportunities.
  • Knowledge of disability laws and workplace accommodation standards (e.g., ADA, human rights legislation).
  • Benefits counselling related to Social Security, SSDI/SSI, Medicaid, and work incentives.
  • Case management and service coordination using electronic case management systems (e.g., HMIS, ETO, Salesforce or agency-specific platforms).
  • Basic data entry, outcome tracking and report generation (Excel, CRM tools, KPI dashboards).
  • Familiarity with workplace safety assessments, risk mitigation and basic first aid/CPR (preferred).
  • Ability to interpret medical, psychological and occupational therapy reports to inform RTW and accommodation planning.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent verbal and written communication with clients, employers and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Strong interpersonal skills with empathy, cultural sensitivity and trauma-informed approach.
  • Problem-solving and creative thinking to match candidate strengths with employer needs.
  • Resilience and adaptability in community and workplace environments.
  • Negotiation and advocacy skills to secure accommodations and employment conditions.
  • Time management and organizational skills to manage a dynamic caseload and competing priorities.
  • Confidentiality and professional ethics in handling sensitive client information.
  • Coaching and motivational interviewing skills to support behavior change and workplace adjustment.
  • Collaboration and teamwork across clinical, educational and community stakeholders.
  • Outcome-focused mindset with attention to metrics, continuous improvement and reporting accuracy.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Human Services, Occupational Therapy Assistant, or related field; OR equivalent professional experience in supported employment.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's in Vocational Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Counseling (CRC preferred), Social Work (MSW), Occupational Therapy, or Disability Studies.
  • Certifications: Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Supported Employment Certification, Mental Health First Aid, or equivalent.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Social Work
  • Psychology
  • Disability Studies
  • Occupational Therapy / Occupational Therapy Assistant

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–5 years of direct experience in supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, job coaching or employment services for people with disabilities or mental health conditions.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years of proven success in job development, employer engagement, and delivering sustained employment outcomes.
  • Experience working with diverse populations including mental health, intellectual/developmental disabilities, neurodiversity, and physical impairments.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage funding requirements, meet contractual KPIs and complete timely reporting.
Explore More Careers