Job Class: Rehabilitation Counselor Senior or Rehabilitation Counselor Career
Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development
Job ID : 91031
Location : Brainerd
Telework Eligible : Yes, may be eligible for some telework.
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : This vacancy is open for bids and for all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bidders will be considered through 01/05/2026.
Date Posted : 12/30/2025
Closing Date : 01/12/2026
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Employment and Economic Development - MAPE
Division/Unit : State Services for the Blind
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift, 8:00AM - 4:30PM
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes, up to 75% of the time
Rehabilitation Counselor Senior Salary Range: $30.23 - $44.48 / hourly; $63,120 - $92,874 / annually
Rehabilitation Counselor Career Salary Range: $32.40 - $47.76 / hourly; $67,651 - $99,722 / annually
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees
FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
State Services for the Blind's (SSB) mission is to facilitate the achievement of vocational and personal independence by Minnesotans who are blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind. We offer a dynamic team-oriented environment where everyone's contribution is key to achieving this mission.
The Rehabilitation Counselor plans, authorizes, and coordinates service delivery of individualized Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) services in partnership with the blind, visually impaired, and/or deaf blind customers, both youth and adult. This position works to enable customers who possess substantial impediments to employment and to achieve successful employment outcomes. This position will also contribute to building a positive internal culture that makes SSB an extraordinary place to work.
This position is based out of the Brainerd SSB office and serves the following counties in the North Central Region: Aitkin, Becker, Carlton, Cass, Clay, Crow Wing, Hubbard, Otter Tail, Todd, Wadena, and Wilkin.
The role requires frequent travel, up to five (5) days per week depending on business needs. The counselor meets with participants in the community, local businesses, schools, and partner organizations. Occasional travel is also required for meetings or trainings at the Brainerd office or other locations across the state.
This position is responsible for a large geographic region, they are expected to meet customers where it is most practical and timely. This may include visiting individuals in their homes, meeting in public locations such as libraries, or meeting at the office when phone or virtual appointments are not possible.
This position is telework (https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1422-telework.pdf) eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.
This vacancy is posted at two (2) different levels. Only one (1) position will be filled, dependent on the qualifications of the successful candidate.
Minimum Qualifications
Please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.
Rehabilitation Counselor Senior:
Master's Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Vision Rehabilitation Therapy/Teaching, Social Work, Psychology, Disability Studies, Human Resources, Education, Special Education, School Counseling, or other closely related field as determined by the agency.
Rehabilitation Counselor Career:
Master's Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Vision Rehabilitation Therapy/Teaching, Social Work, Psychology, Disability Studies, Human Resources, Education, Special Education, School Counseling, or other closely related field as determined by the agency.
AND
Three (3) years of related work experience providing employment counseling for individuals with Blindness, Vision Loss and Deafblind which demonstrates knowledge of one-to-one counseling, caseload management, development of rehabilitation plans, job placement services, and employment supports that lead to success in finding, keeping, retaining, or advancing in employment.
Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following for all levels:
Experience in managing competing priorities and working in a busy environment.
Experience applying professional judgement to identify supports, accommodations, and assistive technology that reduce vocational barriers and promote employment success.
Experience with principle and practice of vocational rehabilitation counseling and case management skills, including service planning and employment goal development for individuals with disabilities.
Human relations skills sufficient to negotiate, collaborate, build, and maintain positive working relationships with job seekers and employers.
Incumbent must maintain valid driver's license and insurance OR have other reliable transportation. Travel arrangements can be made with drivers employed by State Services for the Blind upon request and depending on availability.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working with individuals who are Blind, visually impaired, or DeafBlind.
Experience working with transition age students and/or adults with additional severe disabilities, i.e. mental health, cognitive and physical disabilities.
Experience interpreting and explaining in plain language complex information such as guidelines, regulations, policies, medical and psychiatric reports.
Ability to analyze assessment information sufficient to identify and address the customer's vocational rehabilitation needs.
Experience applying counseling techniques sufficient to conduct an effective diagnostic interview, to assist the client in completing the rehabilitation plan, and address any issues that emerge during the customer's rehabilitation process.
Experience cultivating relationships with external stake holders or customers i.e. school staff, students, businesses, vendors.
Skill in a secondary language.
Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
Additional Requirements
This position requires an Adjustment to Blindness immersion training program. The immersion experience helps new employees understand what's possible for people who are blind, DeafBlind or visually impaired by allowing them to experience it for themselves. The training takes place at an Adjustment to Blindness training center and can run up to 6-7 weeks.
A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:
Criminal Background Check
Employment Records Check (current and former State employees only)
Employment Reference Check
Conflict of Interest Review
Driver's License and Records Check
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
