Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, New Orleans Regional Office Job

Salary: $61,722 - $116,362 per year.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your application will be evaluated based on your resume, supporting documents, responses to the application questionnaire, and any required assessments.

• You will be assessed on competencies including Attention to Detail, Customer Service, Flexibility, Integrity/Honesty, Interpersonal Skills, Learning, Reading Comprehension, Self-Management, Stress Tolerance, Teamwork, Planning and Evaluating, Therapy and Counseling, Writing, Oral Communication, and Technical Competence.
• If referred, you may be asked to submit additional job-related information, complete a work sample, or participate in an interview.
• Overstating qualifications or cheating on assessments may result in removal from consideration.
• Veterans' preference will be applied if eligible.

Resume limited to 2 pages, detailing specialized experience and competencies. Include start/end dates (month/year) and Federal grade level if applicable.

• Transcript reflecting your master's degree in vocational rehabilitation counseling or related field, showing coursework, credits, graduation date, and degree conferred.
• Current Federal Employees: Most recent non-award SF-50 showing proof of status and time-in-grade. If the most recent SF-50 is less than one year old, provide an additional SF-50 demonstrating one-year time-in-grade.
• Veterans: Member-4 DD-214 and disability rating letter if applicable. If on active duty, submit armed forces certification.
• Military Spouse of Active-Duty Member: Marriage license and spouse's active duty orders.
• Military Spouse of Separated Veteran: Marriage license, Member-4 DD-214, and documentation of 100% disability or death during active duty.
• Other Status Candidates: Evidence of eligibility (e.g., Peace Corps verification letter, Schedule A letter, PS-50).
• If using education to qualify, provide transcript from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency.

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.

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.

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.

New Orleans Regional Office employment opportunities