Youth Services Counselor

The mission of the SC Commission for the Blind (SCCB), established in 1966, is to provide quality individualized vocational rehabilitation services, independent living services, and prevention-of-blindness services to South Carolinians who are blind or visually impaired leading to competitive employment and social and economic independence.  Our goal is to become a national model vocational rehabilitation agency for people who are blind and visually impaired, demonstrating quality services, accountability, innovation, effectiveness and efficiency.    

Do you want a career doing meaningful work that has a positive impact on people’s lives?  Have you thought about a career in state government but weren’t sure how or where to begin?  The SCCB is looking for hard working passionate individuals such as you!  Every SCCB employee is important and a career with the SCCB will give you the opportunity to grow professionally and personally as you play a crucial role in the delivery of services to South Carolinians with visual impairments.   

Children’s Services (ages 3-12) and Transition Services (ages 13-21) Counselors at the SCCB provide a variety of services that may include counseling and guidance for parents to understand vision loss, workshops and support groups for families, summer programs and independent living skills (socialization and recreation programs), consultation and coordination with community resources such as referrals of services provided by other agencies, advocacy, participation in Individualized Education Plan (IEP), counseling and guidance for teens, information on specific eye condition(s) effecting the consumer, low vision services and aides, summer teen programs, assessments, home management/independent living aides, technology assistance, and college/post-secondary education information.

The SCCB is currently recruiting for a Youth Services Counselor. This role works with youths moving from the Children’s Services Program (ages 3-12) into Transition Services Program (ages 13-21).  Bilingual skills in Spanish would be helpful but are not required.  Duties for the Youth Services Counselor include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure consumers aging out of the Children’s Services Program are provided information about the Transition Services Program and determine eligibility if the consumer and their parent/guardian are interested. 
• Complete an initial Assessment of Rehabilitation Needs and establish appropriate vocational goals. 
• Provide or ensure the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services (pre-ETS) to all eligible or potentially eligible students (ages 13 to 21) with disabilities.
• Develop and implement an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) with each eligible consumer that utilizes informed choice. 
• Create and maintain positive relationships with local education agencies, colleges/universities, teachers of the visually impaired, community partners, other state agencies, businesses, and referral sources. 
• Partner and communicate with the Employment Consultant to set up and coordinate trial work experiences, work-based learning experiences, on the job training, internships, apprenticeships, job readiness training, job search assistance, and job placement services. 
• Provide vocational counseling and guidance towards the achievement of competitive integrated employment. Coordinate services and caseload management to promote timely, quality service delivery
• Ensure consumers are provided opportunities to participate in work-based learning experiences in their communities throughout the year. 
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum and Additional Requirements:

A bachelor's degree in a related field and experience in career counseling or related case management.

Agency Requirement:  A Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or a related Master's degree and experience working with individuals with disabilities.