Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs in Arizona
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor jobs in Arizona represent an active and growing market, concentrated in state and county government agencies, nonprofit disability services organizations, and the Veterans Affairs health system, with openings at every level from entry-level case associate to senior program director. Phoenix, Tucson, and Tempe are the primary hiring hubs, anchored by employers such as the Arizona Department of Economic Security, Banner Health, and the Phoenix VA Health Care System. The most in-demand specialties include job placement counseling, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, and behavioral health integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Summary
The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (VRS) position is located within the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program. The VRS is responsible for the provision, supervision, and coordination of the rehabilitation services for Veterans or service members participating in various programs. The VRS is the coordinator of services and liaison between the service providers and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
Clarification from the agency
All U.S. Citizens. If selected, if the applicants choose a location outside of their commuting area (50 miles or less), they will be responsible for relocation expenses. This position is not remote or virtual.
Duties
- Provide case management services including coordination of all rehabilitation services, employment services, documentation of progress and adjustment, and maintenance of case records according to VA regulations.
- Provide training and supervision to contract service providers to ensure that the services rendered are appropriate and in accordance with accepted professional standards.
- Provide coordination of all rehabilitation services such as financial decisions, adjust rehabilitation plans, and coordinate employment services.
- Implement minor adjustments to rehabilitation plans, if necessary, for the Veteran to meet the goals of the original plan.
- Research resources and funding available in the community for consumers.
- Provide comprehensive employment and post-employment services which include assessing employability and assisting in the development of an employment assistance plan.
- Responsible for the provision, supervision, and coordination of the rehabilitation services for Veterans or service members participating in the various programs.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1 year or 2-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:
- your performance and conduct;
- the needs and interests of the Agency;
- whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the Agency or the Government; and
- whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
- You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
- Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
- You may be required to serve a probationary or trial period
- Subject to background/security investigation
- Required to attend an 8 week training session, which may require travel.
- Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements I-9 Acceptable Documents.
- Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
Qualifications
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the cut-off date and/or closing date of this job opportunity announcement, 07/17/2026.
NOTE: Applicants must meet both the Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) and the Specialized Experience as stated below.
Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR):
Education
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study - vocational rehabilitation, vocational or educational counseling, or other fields related to the position.
OR
Experience
Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:
- Work that required obtaining and applying occupational information for people with disabilities, knowledge of the interrelationships of the involved professional and specialist services, and skill in employing the methodology and techniques of counseling to motivate and encourage individuals served by the program.
- Experience that demonstrated knowledge of the vocational rehabilitation problems characteristic of the disabled, including familiarity with available resources and skill in identifying, evaluating, and making effective use of such resources to serve individuals with disabilities; or of the disadvantaged, including knowledge of adjustment problems of the educationally or culturally disadvantaged, familiarity with available adult education and training resources, and ability to recognize problem areas needing special attention.
- Experience in vocational guidance or teaching in a recognized vocational rehabilitation program or school, developmental or supervisory work in programs of vocational rehabilitation or training programs for the disadvantaged, or personnel or employment placement work that provided extensive knowledge of the training and adjustment requirements necessary to place persons having disabilities or social adjustment problems.
Specialized Experience:
To qualify at the GS-09 grade level: Applicants must have one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade (GS-07) in the federal service or private sector. Specialized experience is work experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to successfully perform the duties of the position. Specialized experience for this position is defined as: Experience in rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness or human development theory and principles; and experience in career development process and career development theory.
OR
Applicants may substitute education for experience to qualify at the GS-09 grade level. Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.
OR
Applicants may combine education and experience to qualify at the GS-09 grade level. Combination of specialized experience and education beyond 1 full year of graduate level education.
Note:Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills, and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience you document, to include volunteer experience.
Education
An unofficial or official copy of your transcripts must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.
Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://www.ed.gov/about/initiatives/international-affairs/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications
Additional information
This announcement is being recruited for the VBA Pacific District. Please see the list of locations above in the Overview section. Vacancies may be available and/or offered at additional Regional Offices or out-based locations.
Applicants can only apply to one location.
This is not a virtual or remote position. Relocation expenses are not approved for this vacancy. Applicants who apply and are selected for locations outside of their local commuting area are responsible for all costs associated with a move to the new official worksite.
Work Schedule: Regular office hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. Alternate work schedules may be available.
Physical Requirements: Some travel may be necessary on occasion for training, meetings or customer interactions.
Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level. The full performance level of this position is grade GS-11.
Telework: This position is eligible for situational (ad hoc) telework only. The selectee is required to report to the official duty station each scheduled workday. Telework may be approved only on a case-by-case basis with supervisory approval. Routine or recurring telework is not authorized for this position.
Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used to determine the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Placement Policy: The posting of this job opportunity announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Applicants who do not fully address in their resumes the experience needed for the position (as described in the job opportunity announcement), or who do not possess the education to substitute for it, will not be referred for further consideration. After you have met the minimum qualifications, if you are referred for consideration you will be rated on the following the USA Hire competencies (KSAs) based on your application for this position:
- Attention to Detail
- Decision Making
- Flexibility
- Integrity/Honesty
- Interpersonal Skills
- Learning
- Reading Comprehension
- Reasoning
- Self-Management
- Stress Tolerance
- Teamwork
If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job-related information, which may include, but is not limited to responses to the KSAs; completion of a work sample, and/or an interview. You will also be rated on the following agency-specific competencies (KSAs):
- Therapy and Counseling
- Planning and Evaluating
- Partnering
- Customer Service
- Organizational Awareness
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. During our review, if your resume and application package does not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly.
Your application will be evaluated using the category rating method based on your responses to the assessment questions and the documents you submit. If you meet the basic requirements for the position, your application will be evaluated and placed into one of three categories:
- Best Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrate a high level of the KSAs necessary to perform the duties of the position.
- Well Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualification requirements and demonstrate a satisfactory level of the KSAs necessary to perform the duties of the position.
- Qualified Category - Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications requirements.
Required Documents
Required Documents:
- Resume
Resume (limited to 2 pages)
- You must provide a resume detailing your specialized experience and competencies relevant to the position.
- For qualifications determinations your resume must reflect hours worked per week, the inclusive dates of employment, and the level of your experience. If your resume does not reflect this information you will not receive credit for the experience.
- If you submit more than one copy of your resume, the most recent version will be reviewed. The latest timestamp will be used to determine which version of your resume is "most recent." It is your responsibility to check the status and timestamp of all documents you submit as part of your application. We would recommend that you not submit more than one version of your resume.
- If your resume includes a photograph or other inappropriate material or content, we will not use it to make eligibility and qualification determinations, and you may not be considered further for the vacancy.
- If you are basing all or some of your qualifications on education or if a degree is required for the position, a transcript must be included as part of your application package.
- An unofficial transcript may be submitted; however, it must reflect the applicant's name, school name, course names, levels, credits earned, grades received, and degree conferred if applicable.
- Your transcript (official or unofficial) must reflect the degree conferred date if you are substituting a degree for experience.
- A photocopy of your degree is not acceptable in lieu of a transcript.
- An official transcript will be required later if you are selected for the position.
- Whenever possible it is preferable that you submit copies of official transcripts. Unofficial transcripts may lack essential information necessary for a full evaluation of your qualifications.
- Cover Letter
- DD-214/ Statement of Service
- Disability Letter (Schedule A)
- Disability Letter (VA)
- CTAP/ICTAP Documents
- PCS Orders
- Performance Appraisal
- Proof of Marriage Status
- Resume
- Separation Notice (RIF)
- SF-15
- SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
- Transcript
Applicants claiming Veterans' preference must also submit:
- A legible copy of your DD Form 214, "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.) is required. The member copy 2 or 4 of your DD Form 214 is preferable, as they show the characterization of service. Copies of DD-214s can be requested from the National Archives.
- Current active-duty members must submit a signed statement of service from their commander dated within the last 120 days that reflects their expected discharge date, their release from active duty under honorable conditions, any medals awarded, and the timeframe of their service so that eligibility can be determined.
- Veterans and others (Spouse, Parents, Widows/Widowers) claiming 10 point preference must also submit an SF-15 and all documents indicated on the form as proof of type of preference. This includes a VA letter supporting your disability claim with the overall percentage listed.
- If you are unsure as to whether you qualify for Veterans' preference, consult the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Preference Advisor.
- Certification of expected separation or reduction-in-force separation notice; and your most recent performance evaluation; and an SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from; or
- Worker's compensation separation (agency certification of inability to place employee and notification of separation or a separation SF-50); or
- Disability annuity termination (notification from OPM of disability annuity termination and separation SF-50 of the last position held); or
- Military reserve or National Guard technician special disability retirement annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456 (certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard bureau and separation SF-50 of the last position held).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, you must complete the Application Preview and submit the documentation specified in the required documents section above. https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13000622
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on the closing date 07/17/2026 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click apply online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and to complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click submit my answers to submit your application package.
Beginning September 27, 2025, Federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length to comply with the Merit Hiring Plan.
- Resumes longer than two (2) pages will result in ineligibility for further consideration for the position.
- USAJOBS will not allow you to upload or build resumes longer than two pages, and you will need to update the resumes in your profile before applying for a job.
- Resumes should include information relevant to the KSAs and competencies of the position to which you are applying.
- VA is unable to make assumptions about qualifications if not clearly listed.
- Your resume must be 5MB or less.
- We recommend saving and uploading your resume as a PDF to maintain formatting and number of pages.
- We also accept GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, TXT, PDF, ODT or Word (DOC or DOCX).
- We do not accept PDF portfolio files.
- We recommend using a sans-serif font size like Lato, if available. Other widely available options are Calibri, Helvetica, Arial, Verdana, Open San Source Sans Pro, Roboto or Noro Sans. Make your page margins 0.5 inches.
- Consider using 14-point size font for titles and 10-point for the main text in your resume.
- The resume builder can help you create a resume using these recommendations and uses the information in your USAJOBS profile to help you get started.
- Prioritize most relevant and recent experience
- Use concise, results focused language
- Align language from the job announcement
- Focus on demonstrating skills and competencies
- Remove outdated or unrelated experience
- Use the USAJOBS resume builder
- https://help.usajobs.gov/faq/application/documents/resume/page-limit
- https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/hiring-information/merit-hiring-plan-resources/applicant-guidance-on-the-two-page-resume-limit/
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed.
Additional Information
Notice to Applicants: Itis the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. Information about an individual's employment experience will be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities. Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.
If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in the job opportunity announcement.
Agency contact information
810 Vermont Ave NW
Washington, DC 20420
US
Next steps
After the review is complete, a referral certificate will be issued, and applicants will be notified of their status by email (if provided). Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.
You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USAJOBS account: Here
For a more detailed update of your status, click on "more information." Information regarding applicant process can be found: Here
Overview
- 1715 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Suitability/Fitness
See All 29 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs in Arizona
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Find JobsVocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs by City in Arizona
Where Arizona roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Job Market in Arizona
A snapshot from current Arizona openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Arizona Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs across Arizona.
- Active certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) required or preferred by most Arizona employers
- Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or closely related counseling field
- Knowledge of Arizona vocational rehabilitation programs and state agency procedures
- Experience conducting vocational assessments and developing individualized employment plans
- Familiarity with Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration guidelines and referral processes
- Strong case documentation skills using electronic case management systems
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs in Arizona: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Arizona?
Arizona does not issue a standalone state license for vocational rehabilitation counselors, but most employers and state agencies require or strongly prefer the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credential, awarded by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. To sit for the CRC exam, candidates typically need a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a closely related field. Positions with the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration generally require meeting these credential standards before hire.
Which companies hire vocational rehabilitation counselors in Arizona?
Employers hiring vocational rehabilitation counselors in Arizona right now include Brooks Rehabilitation, Dignity Health East Valley Rehabilitation Hospitals, and Terros, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Arizona's substantial network of nonprofit disability service organizations and the state's Veterans Affairs facilities also produce consistent openings throughout the year.
Which Arizona cities have the most vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs?
Phoenix, Flagstaff, and Chandler hold the highest concentration of vocational rehabilitation counselor openings in Arizona. Phoenix drives the largest share of listings given the density of state agency offices, Veterans Affairs facilities, and nonprofit behavioral health organizations headquartered in the metro, while Tucson's openings are anchored by the University of Arizona Health Network and southern Arizona regional service providers.
Are there remote vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs in Arizona?
Yes, but they are limited. Vocational rehabilitation counseling involves direct client assessment, job placement coordination, and in-person agency collaboration, so fully remote roles are the exception rather than the rule. About 17% of vocational rehabilitation counselor openings tied to Arizona are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with remote work most common in roles focused on telehealth counseling, administrative case review, or statewide program coordination rather than direct client services.
How can I get hired as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Arizona with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a practicum or internship placement through an accredited master's program, as the Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration and Maricopa County Human Services regularly host graduate interns who often convert to full-time roles. Adjacent positions such as case manager, employment specialist, or disability services coordinator at Arizona nonprofit organizations like RISE Services or MARC are common lateral entry points. Completing the CRC exam early and gaining documented experience with assistive technology assessments or benefits counseling gives candidates a clear competitive edge.
Where can I find and apply to vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs in Arizona?
You can find and apply to vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs in Arizona on Migrate Mate, which lists current Arizona openings from employers across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your background and preferred location, and apply directly.
See All 29 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs in Arizona
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