SUPERVISING REHABILITATION COUNSELOR MENTAL HEALTH
Supervising Rehabilitation Counselor Mental Health is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
On paper it calls for a master's degree, though the specification lets enough relevant experience stand in for the degree. Pay on the FY2027 schedule runs $83,582 to $122,832.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under supervision of a supervisory official in the Department of Human Services, supervises staff providing counseling services to a varied population of mental health clients, including those with multiple problems requiring rehabilitative services over an extensive period of time; supervises staff assisting clients to obtain the training and related services for vocational rehabilitation; and those assisting clients and employers in obtaining suitable employment or employees; does other related duties.
Examples of work
Supervises staff coordinating vocational training and other services for a caseload of mental health clients requiring varied rehabilitation, vocational training and other related services. Conducts or supervises the conduct of client interview sessions to obtain relevant information regarding medical history, work experience, education background, interests, and socioeconomic history; disseminates information to client regarding vocational rehabilitation policies and procedures and other available services. Evaluates and supervises the evaluation of diagnostic data and other documentation to determine client eligibility for services according to established policy and guidelines. Evaluates and supervises the evaluation of physical capabilities and develops and supervises the development of the comprehensive case management plans for client rehabilitation; identifies client's social, emotional, or behavioral dysfunctions, physical limitations, and nature and extent of employment problems and learning disabilities. Supervises the preparation, review and evaluation of case documentation. Reviews and approves the rehabilitation plans developed by staff; provides guidance and direction to ensure clients are provided with appropriate rehabilitation plans to meet their needs. Provides assignments and instruction to staff and supervises their performance. Reviews and analyzes caseload management data. Counsels and supervises the counseling of disabled clients to develop vocational goals based on disability, and assists them to address problems of personal, social, economic, and vocational adjustment. Evaluates and supervises the evaluation of diagnostic data to determine the nature and extent of a client's disability, and the referral of clients for additional psychological, medical, physical, or education evaluation as deemed necessary. Assesses vocation or occupation interests of clients, and identifies and arranges for formal and informal education and vocation programs and other necessary training. Approves caseload expenditures for the purchase of diagnostic and other case services necessary for the medical, physical and emotional rehabilitation of the client, and supervises staff identifying client's case management needs. Supervises the evaluation of client's job readiness, the development and improvement of job-seeking skills, and the monitoring of clients in job placement. Consults with other professional personnel to discuss the comprehensive plans and programs necessary to rehabilitate clients. Assembles and maintains vocational information, occupational data, and other relevant materials, and disseminates, organizes, and interprets appropriate materials for use by client. Reviews, analyzes and interprets laws and regulations involving client population. Evaluates program effectiveness. Supervises the development and implementation of special programs or projects as required. Develops, organizes, and maintains a referral network, and provides client with referrals to other appropriate programs, services, or resources. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other organizations and agencies whose functions or services interact with those needed by the client. Provides information to the public regarding the vocational rehabilitation activities of the agency. Evaluates and supervises the evaluation of the progress and effectiveness of client's individualized program, identifies and recommends changes as required, and evaluates improvements in the client's physical and/or psychological condition. Reviews and approves recommendations for post employment services to client. Prepares and supervises the preparation of reports and correspondence. Supervises the establishment and maintenance of records and files. Analyzes and interprets caseload information. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the types of vocational/rehabilitational programs needed for clients. Knowledge of the types of prosthetic devices. Knowledge of the medical, physiological, psychological, socioeconomic, vocational, and other problems of mental health clients. Knowledge of the vocational possibilities, potentials, and limitations of the client population served. Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques. Knowledge of the assessment techniques used to evaluate a client's occupational knowledge, skills, and abilities, and readiness for employment. Knowledge of the assessment techniques used to identify a client's vocational rehabilitation needs, and of the methods used to develop an individualized program. Ability to read and interpret laws, rules, and regulations affecting clients, and apply them to specific situations. Ability to identify and coordinate the varied medical, vocational, training, and other services required for the rehabilitation of clients. Ability to interview clients, evaluate cases, and provide guidance and counsel to clients. Ability to evaluate relevant documentation used to make eligibility determinations. Ability to identify a client's capabilities and limitations, and develop the plans necessary for client rehabilitation. Ability to evaluate and supervise the evaluation of diagnostic data used to determine the nature and extent of a client's disability. Ability to identify client's case management needs. Ability to assess the vocation or occupation interests, capabilities, and limitations of clients, and to identify and arrange for the programs and training necessary for client rehabilitation. Ability to counsel clients to develop vocational goals. Ability to evaluate clients' job readiness, and assist them to develop and improve their job seeking skills. Ability to assemble, maintain, disseminate, and interpret vocational information. Ability to develop, organize, and maintain a referral network used to provide clients with appropriate services and other resources. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those organizations and agencies whose functions or services interact with those needed by the client. Ability to evaluate the level of improvement in a client's condition, and evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the client's individualized program. Ability to provide assignments and instruction to staff and supervise their performance. Ability to prepare and supervise the preparation of reports and correspondence. Ability to establish and maintain records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Seven (7) years of professional experience in vocational/rehabilitational guidance or counseling, other related guidance and counseling, or social or medical casework in a rehabilitation agency, facility or other social program designed to increase the employability or social productivity of clients, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in a combination of the following areas: Vocational Counseling, Rehabilitation, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Vocational Guidance, Special Education or related areas. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in a combination of the following areas: Vocational Counseling, Rehabilitation, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Vocational Guidance, Special Education or related areas; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Master's degree in Vocational Counseling, Rehabilitation, Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Vocational Guidance, Special Education or related areas; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that us creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.