Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs in Connecticut
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor jobs in Connecticut are concentrated in Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport, where state agencies, hospital systems, and nonprofit rehabilitation networks generate the most consistent openings. Employers with a lasting presence in Connecticut include the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services, Yale New Haven Health, and Hartford HealthCare, all of which maintain active counseling teams across multiple facilities. Demand is strongest for counselors specializing in mental health integration, traumatic brain injury rehabilitation, and supported employment services, with roles available from entry-level case associates to senior program directors. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 16+ Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor jobs
- Facility: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
- Division: Patient Central Services
- Location: Middletown, CT
- Schedule: Part-time, 32 hours per week, 1st shift, Wednesday - Saturday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
- PCN: 136802
- Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- A healthy work/life balance to all employees
- Engage in a rewarding career;
- Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
- Thrive in an exciting environment;
- Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
- Work together in a collaborative team environment.
We are seeking a compassionate, motivated professional who is passionate about helping individuals build the skills needed for successful community reintegration.
This position plays a vital role in providing active rehabilitation treatment through therapeutic recreation interventions, leading and co-leading treatment groups, implementing rehabilitation activities and programs, completing required rehabilitation assessments, documenting patient progress and responses to treatment, evaluating patient functioning, communicating observations to the interdisciplinary treatment team, and providing therapeutic skills training through individual and group interventions.
The ideal candidate is dedicated to patient-centered care, values collaboration, possesses strong clinical and documentation skills, and is committed to supporting patients in achieving their recovery goals while maintaining compliance with active treatment and assessment requirements.
Please note:
A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
All state employees must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
- For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
- This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Evaluates individual level of functioning by assessing behavior and reviewing medical, social and emotional case histories;
- Writes and implements treatment plans using a specific modality;
- Conducts individual and group activities, consulting with other professionals and selecting appropriate techniques and materials to teach skills to correct disorders in intellectual, emotional or motor status of an individual;
- Attends case conferences, actively participating in admission, treatment and discharge planning;
- Observes, records and evaluates individual progress;
- Participates in or assists in conducting training programs for staff therapists and rehabilitation and nursing students;
- Uses data from observation and diagnostic evaluations to develop goals and new activities;
- Administers and interprets evaluations in specialty areas;
- Requisitions and distributes supplies;
- Adapts musical, art and recreational equipment used in designated discipline;
- May attend workshops and conferences;
- May transport and escort individuals to off grounds activities;
- May perform prevocational activities with individual;
- May participate in and plan special activities within community;
- May perform duties in individual home or community setting;
- May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- principles and practices of the therapeutic recreation discipline;
- physical and intellectual disorders;
- individual and group dynamics;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Skill in application of therapeutic techniques.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience conducting individual and group treatment in a behavioral health and substance use inpatient treatment setting.
- Experience recording and evaluating client progress including completion of assessments.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI), and/or lifesaving (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in use of American Sign Language in certain positions.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Facility: Connecticut Valley Hospital (CVH)
- Division: Patient Central Services
- Location: Middletown, CT
- Schedule: Part-time, 32 hours per week, 1st shift, Wednesday - Saturday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
- PCN: 136802
- Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
- Professional growth and development opportunities.
- A healthy work/life balance to all employees
- Engage in a rewarding career;
- Showcase your talents in a meaningful role;
- Thrive in an exciting environment;
- Provide support to a division that is passionate about the work we do;
- Work together in a collaborative team environment.
We are seeking a compassionate, motivated professional who is passionate about helping individuals build the skills needed for successful community reintegration.
This position plays a vital role in providing active rehabilitation treatment through therapeutic recreation interventions, leading and co-leading treatment groups, implementing rehabilitation activities and programs, completing required rehabilitation assessments, documenting patient progress and responses to treatment, evaluating patient functioning, communicating observations to the interdisciplinary treatment team, and providing therapeutic skills training through individual and group interventions.
The ideal candidate is dedicated to patient-centered care, values collaboration, possesses strong clinical and documentation skills, and is committed to supporting patients in achieving their recovery goals while maintaining compliance with active treatment and assessment requirements.
Please note:
A comprehensive medical examination, including a drug screening, will be required of all applicants upon a conditional offer of employment.
All state employees must adhere to Connecticut’s Policy for a Drug Free Workplace.
Selection Plan
FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.
BEFORE YOU APPLY:
- Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
- Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
- Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
- Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
- Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
- Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
- Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.
AFTER YOU APPLY:
- Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates—such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links—please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
- For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select “Update My Contact Information.”
- Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
- Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
- Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
- The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
- Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
- This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.
QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:
Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Julie Barker at Julie.Barker@ct.gov.
Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!
PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
- Evaluates individual level of functioning by assessing behavior and reviewing medical, social and emotional case histories;
- Writes and implements treatment plans using a specific modality;
- Conducts individual and group activities, consulting with other professionals and selecting appropriate techniques and materials to teach skills to correct disorders in intellectual, emotional or motor status of an individual;
- Attends case conferences, actively participating in admission, treatment and discharge planning;
- Observes, records and evaluates individual progress;
- Participates in or assists in conducting training programs for staff therapists and rehabilitation and nursing students;
- Uses data from observation and diagnostic evaluations to develop goals and new activities;
- Administers and interprets evaluations in specialty areas;
- Requisitions and distributes supplies;
- Adapts musical, art and recreational equipment used in designated discipline;
- May attend workshops and conferences;
- May transport and escort individuals to off grounds activities;
- May perform prevocational activities with individual;
- May participate in and plan special activities within community;
- May perform duties in individual home or community setting;
- May serve as a Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional;
- Performs related duties as required.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY
- Knowledge of
- principles and practices of the therapeutic recreation discipline;
- physical and intellectual disorders;
- individual and group dynamics;
- Considerable
- interpersonal skills;
- oral and written communication skills;
- Skill in application of therapeutic techniques.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience conducting individual and group treatment in a behavioral health and substance use inpatient treatment setting.
- Experience recording and evaluating client progress including completion of assessments.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and maintain a certificate as a Water Safety Instructor (WSI), and/or lifesaving (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid) from the American Red Cross.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to be fluent in a foreign language or proficient in use of American Sign Language in certain positions.
- Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
WORKING CONDITIONS
See All 16 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs in Connecticut
Find roles in Connecticut that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsVocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs by City in Connecticut
Where Connecticut roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Job Market in Connecticut
A snapshot from current Connecticut openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Connecticut Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs across Connecticut.
- Connecticut licensure as a professional counselor or certified rehabilitation counselor credential required
- Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, counseling, or a closely related field
- Experience conducting vocational assessments and developing individualized employment plans
- Knowledge of Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services programs and eligibility processes
- Ability to coordinate services with medical providers, employers, and community organizations
- Proficiency in documentation and case management within electronic health record systems
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs in Connecticut: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Connecticut?
You need a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related counseling field, followed by supervised clinical hours. Connecticut recognizes the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor credential awarded by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, and many state agency positions require it or an active Licensed Professional Counselor credential issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Most candidates sit for the CRC exam after completing their graduate program and accumulating the required supervised experience.
Which companies hire vocational rehabilitation counselors in Connecticut?
Companies currently hiring vocational rehabilitation counselors in Connecticut include RVNAhealth, Hartford HealthCare, and State of Connecticut, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Connecticut's mix of state-funded rehabilitation agencies, hospital-based occupational health programs, and nonprofit disability services organizations means openings tend to be distributed across both public-sector employers and community providers throughout the state.
Which Connecticut cities have the most vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs?
Ridgefield, Enfield, and Westport have the most vocational rehabilitation counselor openings in Connecticut. Hartford leads because it is home to major state agency offices, including the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services headquarters, while New Haven and Bridgeport generate strong demand through their large hospital systems and dense concentrations of community health and disability services organizations serving high-need urban populations.
Are there remote vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs in Connecticut?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields because vocational rehabilitation counseling often involves in-person client assessments, job site visits, and coordination with community partners. About 20% of vocational rehabilitation counselor openings tied to Connecticut are remote or hybrid as of July 2026. The parts of the role most suited to remote work include intake interviews, case documentation, employer outreach, and virtual job coaching sessions.
How can I get hired as a vocational rehabilitation counselor in Connecticut with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying directly to the Connecticut Bureau of Rehabilitation Services or large nonprofit providers such as Ability Beyond or the Kennedy Center, which regularly hire rehabilitation technician and case management associate roles that do not require prior counseling experience. Completing a graduate internship or practicum at a Connecticut agency during your master's program is the strongest door-opener, as many employers convert interns to staff. Earning your CRC exam eligibility early and volunteering with disability employment programs in Hartford or New Haven also signals commitment to hiring managers reviewing entry-level applications.
Where can I find and apply to vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs in Connecticut?
You can find and apply to vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs in Connecticut on Migrate Mate, which lists current Connecticut openings across state agencies, hospital systems, and nonprofit rehabilitation providers. Find roles that fit your experience and specialization and apply directly through each listing.
See All 16 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs in Connecticut
Find roles in Connecticut that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs