Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant (NY HELPS), Box OSEA-99/46451

Duties Description

The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Special Education and ACCES (OSEA) is seeking a candidate for a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant position in the Manhattan VR District Office. This Office provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities, who are interested in becoming employed or retaining their current employment. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct intake interviews, review eligibility for financial assistance, and monitor training records;
• Verify employment, which may require site visits to rehabilitation facilities, schools, and training centers;
• Authorize necessary medical diagnostic examinations;
• Prepare financial and statistical records and reports;
• Prepare routine correspondence to consumers and their families, vendors and other agencies concerning consumer status and progress; and
• Schedule transportation, interpreters, readers, and independent living services for disabled consumers.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

NY HELPS

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).

For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all of the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title, employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.

Non-competitive Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for appointment through NY HELPS, or 55 b/c, candidates must meet the open-competitive minimum qualifications for this position. The qualifications are:

• a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or vocational rehabilitation; OR
• 60 semester college credit hours and one year of qualifying experience*; OR
• three years of qualifying experience*.

Promotional Transitional Qualifications: Current NYSED employees must have:

• One year of service at grade 6 or higher

Competitive Minimum Qualifications

Reassignment: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Assistant.

Eligible List Appointment: Candidates must be reachable on the Civil Service eligible list for this title. If you are on the Civil Service eligible list for this title, you may receive a canvass letter. You must complete and return it as instructed on the letter.

Section 70.1 Transfer: Candidates must have one year of permanent competitive or 55b/c service in a title SG-11 or above deemed eligible for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law.

For information regarding the transfer options of your current title, please visit the Civil Service Career Mobility Office Website.

55b/c Appointment: This position is eligible for 55b/c designation and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Candidates must possess a current 55b/c eligibility letter and the following minimum qualifications:

• a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or vocational rehabilitation; OR
• 60 semester college credit hours and one year of qualifying experience*; OR
• three years of qualifying experience*.
• For experience to be considered qualifying, the primary responsibilities of a position must have involved professional or paraprofessional duties in one of the following areas: EITHER
• providing direct services beyond routine personal care or supervision to physically, mentally, or learning-disabled adults or adolescents in a rehabilitation program or facility. (Qualifying examples include casework, counseling, daily living skills training, benefit advisement, or peer mentoring. Clerical duties such as answering the telephone or scheduling appointments are NOT considered qualifying experience); OR
• providing vocational or educational services to adults or adolescents with physical, mental, or learning disabilities in the areas of assessment, counseling, job coaching, guidance, placement, or job development.

Additional Comments

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: This will be a permanent, competitive appointment or a permanent, non-competitive appointment. For 55b/c appointment, candidates must possess the minimum qualifications, a current 55b/c eligibility letter and is subject to verification of applicant eligibility. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of degree or transcript will be required at the time of interview for applicable candidates, and you will be required to demonstrate your Manual Communications proficiency at a level that will ensure your ability to perform properly the duties of the position. This position allows for the opportunity to telecommute up to 30% each bi-weekly pay period. This position will require 30% statewide travel.

Federal law may impose additional requirements or restrictions regarding positions that receive federal funding.

This position leads to a maximum salary of $65,061 based on annual performance advances and traineeship advances. For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

Based on this position’s location, in addition to the listed base salary, this position also receives a $4000 Downstate/Mid-State Adjustment.

APPLICATION: Qualified candidates should send a resume and letter of interest by January 30, 2026 to [email protected] (email submissions are preferred). Your resume must clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position. You must include the Box number (OSEA-99/46451) of the position in the subject line of your email and cover letter to ensure receipt of your application. Links to application materials will not be accepted (i.e., Google Docs). Your social security number may be required to confirm your eligibility.

New York State Education Department (NYSED) is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. NYS Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination because of age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, sex, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, gender identity, prior conviction records, prior arrests, youthful offender adjudications, or sealed records.

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Generous benefits of working for New York State, including, but not limited to, the following:

Holiday & Paid Time Off

• Thirteen (13) paid holidays annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave in year one, increasing to 20+ days with additional years of service.
• Five (5) days of paid personal leave annually.
• Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave annually for PEF/CSEA and eight (8) days paid sick leave annually for M/C.
• Annual professional leave and educational leave opportunities for eligible staff.

Health Care Benefits

• Eligible employees and dependents can choose from a variety of affordable and generous health insurance programs.
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost.

Additional Benefits

• Enrollment in the New York State pension system which has earned the distinction of being one of the best-managed and best-funded plans in the nation OR Optional Retirement Defined Contribution Plan with 8% salary match (eligibility requirements apply).
• NYS Deferred Compensation and an exclusive 403(b) Optional Retirement Savings Plan.
• Paid Parental Leave for all employees and Paid Family Leave (M/C Only).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF).
• Eligibility for various life insurance options.