Job Description
The Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, is hiring a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) for the New Orleans Regional Office. In this role, you will provide and coordinate rehabilitation, counseling, and case management services to disabled veterans and other eligible individuals.
Your primary focus will be helping veterans find work and set goals to become more independent in daily life. This position is open to current federal employees, veterans, military spouses, individuals with disabilities, and others eligible under special hiring authorities.
The role is full-time, permanent, and telework eligible as determined by agency policy.
Qualification
To qualify, you must meet basic education and internship/experience requirements, time-in-grade if a current federal employee, and grade-specific specialized experience. A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or a related field is required.
- Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation services, clinical rehabilitation counseling, counseling psychology, mental health counseling, career counseling, or social work from an accredited institution.
- Supervised internship in rehabilitation counseling or case management specialization, OR one year of post-master's experience in direct delivery of professional vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities.
- Time-in-grade: For GS-09, 52 weeks at GS-07; for GS-11, 52 weeks at GS-09; for GS-12, 52 weeks at GS-11. Current VBA employees must hold GS-09 or higher with promotion potential at least GS-12.
- GS-11: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-09 managing vocational rehabilitation counseling or case management for persons with various disabilities, OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. in rehabilitation counseling or counseling psychology.
- GS-12: One year of post-graduate professional vocational rehabilitation counseling experience equivalent to GS-11.
- Grandfathering provision for VRCs employed in VBA on July 28, 2023.
- U.S. citizenship required.
- Selective Service registration for males born after 12/31/1959.
- Must be able to serve a 1-year probationary/trial period.
- Subject to background/security investigation.
Role Responsibilities
Perform initial rehabilitation evaluations and entitlement assessments.
- Develop rehabilitation plans, provide problem-solving and adjustment counseling.
- Manage cases including coordination of all rehabilitation services and case documentation.
- Provide employment services, employer consultation, employment development and placement.
- Conduct career counseling and vocational planning and assessment.
- Combine data from diagnostic tests and medical records to assess strengths, weaknesses, capabilities, and interests.
- Administer and interpret vocational testing as necessary.
- Help veterans set goals and objectives to increase independence in daily living.
Conditions & Requirements
May be required to serve a 1-year probationary/trial period.
- Must complete online onboarding process and provide acceptable forms of identification (REAL ID compliant after May 7, 2025).
- Driver's license or state-issued ID must be REAL ID compliant for employment after May 7, 2025.
Benefits
Complete federal benefits package including health, dental, vision, life insurance, and retirement.
- Paid leave (annual, sick, and federal holidays).
- Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.
- Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with employer matching.
- Telework eligibility as determined by agency policy.
- Access to employee assistance programs and wellness resources.
How to Apply
To apply, go to the official application portal and open the announcement. with your the official application portal/Login.gov account. Complete the online application questionnaire and attach all required documents (resume, transcripts, SF-50s, etc.). Submit your complete application package by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 1, 2026. After submitting, you may be required to complete USA Hire Assessments.
- You will receive a unique access link via email. Set aside about two hours for the assessments. You can track your application status in the official application portal. Ensure your resume is no longer than two pages and includes relevant experience with dates and grade levels.
Additional Information
This vacancy is open to current permanent VA employees (competitive or excepted), other federal employees eligible for transfer or reinstatement, veterans under VEOA/VRA, certain military spouses, Peace Corps/VISTA alumni, Schedule A individuals with disabilities, and those with other valid hiring eligibility.
- The full performance level of this position is GS-12.
- Telework is available as determined by agency policy.
- A 1-year probationary/trial period is required.
- Contact Asjiah Fulgham at (601) 364-7087 or [email protected] for questions.
- Address: New Orleans Regional Benefit Office, 1250 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA 70113.
- After the announcement closes, applications are reviewed for qualifications and eligibility. Referred applicants may be contacted for an interview.
- Check your the official application portal account and email (including spam) regularly for updates.
About Company
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a federal cabinet-level agency that provides healthcare, benefits, and memorial services to U.S. Military veterans. The Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) administers compensation, pension, education, and vocational rehabilitation programs. The New Orleans Regional Office delivers these services to veterans in Louisiana and surrounding areas. Working here means supporting those who served, with a structured federal career path and complete benefits.
FAQs
Can I substitute education for experience at the GS-11 level?
Yes, for GS-11 you can substitute 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in rehabilitation counseling or counseling psychology for the one year of specialized experience.
Is this position remote or telework eligible?
This position is not remote. Telework is available as determined by agency policy. You will work at the New Orleans Regional Office at 1250 Poydras St, New Orleans, LA.
What is the probationary period for this role?
You will be required to serve a 1-year probationary/trial period. During this time, your performance and conduct will be evaluated to determine if your continued employment advances the public interest.
What documents do I need to submit to verify time-in-grade?
You must submit an SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. If your most recent SF-50 is less than one year old, provide an additional SF-50 (e.g., a within-grade increase or promotion with an effective date more than one year old). Award SF-50s are not accepted.
What are the main duties of this role?
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors (VRCs) provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation, counseling, and case management services to disabled veterans and other eligible individuals. The purpose, objectives, services, and outcomes are developed by t…