Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vocational Support Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Vocational Support Coordinator is a client-centered employment specialist who assesses, plans, coordinates and monitors vocational services for individuals with disabilities, mental health diagnoses, or other barriers to employment. This role combines case management, employer engagement, individualized vocational planning and outcomes tracking to support job readiness, job placement, and long-term employment retention. The ideal candidate balances strong interpersonal skills with practical knowledge of vocational rehabilitation, community resources, and employer practices to achieve measurable employment outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Vocational Rehabilitation Assistant or Job Coach
Case Manager / Support Worker in community services
Employment Specialist or Workforce Development Associate

Advancement To:

Senior Vocational Support Coordinator / Lead Employment Specialist
Vocational Rehabilitation Team Leader / Manager
Program Manager – Employment Services
Director of Vocational Services or Community Rehabilitation Services

Lateral Moves:

Transition Coordinator (schools to work)
Supported Employment Consultant
Community Outreach / Employer Engagement Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive vocational assessments and functional work evaluations to identify strengths, barriers, interests, and support needs; document baseline metrics and produce individualized vocational plans (IVPs) aligned to client goals and measurable employment outcomes.
Develop, implement and monitor person-centered employment plans that include job-readiness training, accommodations, assistive technology recommendations, workplace modifications and stepwise goals tied to timelines and funding requirements.
Provide individualized job coaching and on-the-job support, including job shadowing, skills training, and gradual fade interventions designed to increase job independence and long-term retention.
Coordinate with interdisciplinary teams — including mental health clinicians, occupational therapists, vocational evaluators and school transition staff — to ensure holistic support and integrated service delivery for each client.
Build and maintain relationships with local employers, labor market intermediaries and workforce development boards to identify job opportunities, negotiate job trials and secure employer commitments for hires and accommodations.
Prepare and submit funding requests, vocational justification reports and documentation for government programs (e.g., Vocational Rehabilitation, Social Services, Department of Labor) and third-party payers; ensure timely compliance with funding criteria and audits.
Facilitate job search activities: resume development, interview preparation, labor market information coaching, application support and targeted employer outreach to maximize match quality and placement speed.
Conduct workplace assessments and job analyses to identify essential job functions, potential environmental barriers and specific reasonable accommodations; communicate findings and recommendations to employers and clients.
Provide crisis intervention and short-term intensive supports to clients experiencing setbacks, including rapid re-engagement strategies and linkage to community mental health or social services when needed.
Track client progress through case notes, progress reports and outcome metrics (placement rates, retention at 30/90/180 days, wage progression) and use data to drive continuous quality improvement in service delivery.
Deliver group-based employability workshops and soft-skills training (e.g., communication, time management, workplace etiquette) tailored to diverse learning styles and literacy levels.
Manage caseloads effectively: schedule appointments, maintain eligibility documentation, coordinate transportation supports and ensure timely follow-up with clients and employers.
Advocate for clients with employers, funders and service agencies to secure reasonable accommodations, flexible scheduling, and workplace modifications that support sustained employment.
Facilitate benefits counseling and income support planning (e.g., understanding Social Security work incentives, Medicaid/Medicare interactions) to help clients make informed employment decisions without jeopardizing essential benefits.
Develop and deliver employer education and disability-awareness training to reduce stigma, increase retention and improve workplace inclusion practices.
Supervise and mentor junior staff, peer mentors and job coaches; provide training, field observation, and performance feedback to maintain fidelity of supported employment practices.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of local labor market trends, occupational requirements and certification pathways to advise clients on realistic career trajectories and in-demand opportunities.
Prepare comprehensive case documentation for hearings, reviews and vocational determination processes; represent clients in multidisciplinary eligibility and planning meetings as required.
Utilize evidence-based supported employment models (e.g., IPS, Customized Employment) to design individualized placement strategies and measure fidelity to best-practice standards.
Coordinate transitional planning for youth and young adults, liaising with high schools, transition teams and family members to align education, training and employment supports.
Facilitate access to community resources (housing supports, transportation, substance use services) that impact vocational outcomes and actively close service gaps through referrals and warm handoffs.
Lead and participate in program evaluation activities, collect feedback from clients and employers and implement service improvements to increase placement rates and client satisfaction.

Secondary Functions

Maintain and update client databases and CRM systems with accurate outcome data and follow-up notes for audit readiness.
Support organizational grant applications with vocational program descriptions, expected outcomes, and resource needs.
Design and maintain job lead lists, employer contact directories and community partnership maps to streamline referrals and placements.
Promote program services through community outreach events, information sessions and employer roundtables to increase visibility and referral volume.
Participate in continuous training and professional development to stay current on vocational rehabilitation regulations, assistive technology and inclusive employment practices.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Vocational assessment and functional capacity evaluation
Individualized vocational plan (IVP) development and goal setting
Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation systems, funding streams and eligibility criteria (e.g., RSA/Voc Rehab)
Supported employment models (e.g., IPS, Customized Employment) and fidelity monitoring
Benefits counseling (Social Security Work Incentives, SSI/SSDI rules) and benefits planning tools
Job analysis, workplace accommodation assessment and assistive technology recommendations
Case management documentation, outcomes reporting and data entry in case management systems (CRM/EHR)
Employer engagement, job development and labor market mapping
Proficiency with MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and virtual communication platforms (Zoom, Teams)
Basic understanding of occupational health and safety requirements and workplace accommodations

Soft Skills

Exceptional interpersonal and relationship-building skills with clients, families and employers
Strong written communication: clear case notes, reports, funding proposals and progress summaries
Active listening and motivational interviewing skills to support client-centered goal planning
Problem-solving and creative job development to create non-traditional employment opportunities
Time management, organization and ability to prioritize a high-volume caseload
Cultural competency and trauma-informed approach when working with diverse populations
Resilience and adaptability in fast-changing community and employment environments
Advocacy and negotiation skills to secure employer buy-in and necessary accommodations
Collaborative teamwork across multidisciplinary service networks
Coaching and mentoring ability to train job coaches and support staff

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree in Human Services, Rehabilitation, Social Work, Psychology or related field; OR equivalent relevant work experience in vocational support or case management.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, Occupational Therapy or related field.
Certifications such as Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), Employment Specialist Certification, or IPS fidelity training are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Rehabilitation Counseling
Social Work
Psychology
Occupational Therapy
Workforce Development / Human Services

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years working in supported employment, vocational rehabilitation, job coaching or related community services roles.

Preferred:

3+ years of direct experience in vocational case management, job development, employer engagement or supported employment with documented placement outcomes.
Experience working with adults with disabilities, mental health conditions, or youth transitioning from school to work.
Demonstrated success engaging employers and achieving sustained job retention metrics.