NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12234
An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR INTERNSHIPS (VRCI)

 Location: Throughout New York State                                                                                                                              Salary: $14.71 hourly

All of the 15 VESID sites in New York - Albany, Buffalo, Bronx, Brooklyn, Hauppauge, Hempstead, Malone, Manhattan, Mid-Hudson, Queens, Rochester, Southern Tier, Syracuse, Utica, White Plains

Department Portrait  - The Mission of the Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID) is to promote educational equity and excellence for students with disabilities while ensuring that they receive the rights and protection to which they are entitled; assure appropriate continuity between the child and adult services systems; and provide the highest quality vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to all eligible persons as quickly as those services are required to enable them to work and live independent, self-directed lives. 

Vocational Rehabilitation Intern Program - The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Student Intern Program is intended to provide a diverse group of graduate students with work assignments that give candidates an opportunity to participate in vocational rehabilitation counselor activities, assignments, and situations.  Candidates may receive compensation for their work, all the while fulfilling needed observation and field experience requirements for their Vocational Rehabilitation program.  Upon successful completion of the internship, graduating candidates may have an opportunity for full-time employment with the New York State Education Department/Office for Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities. 

Career Track - Upon completion of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling Internship and the degree program, interns may be eligible to sit for the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor exam, thus qualifying them for any available Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (salary grade 19) positions.  Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) is an entry-level position in the VRC career track which includes: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (salary grade 19), Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (salary grade 22) and Associate Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (salary grade 25).

Role of the VRCI - The intern will shadow a counseling professional who has CRC certification to gain knowledge and experience in professional counseling.  Activities will include: orientation, assisting consumers in obtaining medical and psychological information, preparing eligibility forms for review and approval, assisting consumers in vocation exploration and preparation of Individualized Plans for Employment, follow up on consumer progress in training programs, job search, and job placement. 

Placement of the Intern - The VRCI will be assigned to one of VESID’s 15 District Offices based on the needs of the intern and the District Office.  Placement of the interns will be managed by the Office of Human Resources Management, which will work closely with the interns’ academic program advisors, local operations staff and the respective District Office manager to affect the internship.

Intern’s Supervisor - In order to ensure positive and experienced supervision that will enhance the professional and personal development of individuals selected to participate in the VRCI program, the VRCI will be supervised onsite by a vocational rehabilitation professional with Rehabilitation Counseling Certification.  Specific guidelines and requirements for supervision of the intern will be provided to the District Office by the intern’s academic program advisor prior to the initiation of the internship experience. 

Qualifications - Candidates must be currently enrolled in a Master’s level Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor accredited program. Candidates are sxpressly prohibited from pursuing employment with both the State Education Department and SUNY system/Legislature/etc. (no dual-employment).

Program Term

We have current and continuous openings within the Internship Program.
 

Deadline for Fall Program: August 1st
Deadline for Spring Program: December 1st

Deadline for Summer Program: May 1st

To Apply

Click here for an Application (Word document), Application (PDF Format) or call 474-5215.

 For An Application, Contact:
NYS Education Department
Graduate Student Intern Program
Office of Human Resources Management
Room 528 EB, 89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-5215 (Phone)
(518) 486-1721 (Fax)

Application review will continue until the positions are filled.

The State Education Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The State Education Department does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, religion, creed, disability, marital status, veteran status, national origin, race, gender, genetic predisposition or carrier status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, services and activities.  Portions of this publication can be made available in a variety of formats, including braille, large print or audiotape, upon request.  Inquiries concerning this policy of nondiscrimination should be directed to the Department’s Office for Diversity, Ethics, and Access, Room 152, Education Building, Albany, NY 12234.