- Company: State of Washington
- Location: Tumwater, Thurston County
- Salary: $66,072–$88,788/yr
- Full Time
- Tumwater, Thurston County
- $66,072–$88,788/yr
- Apply on company site
- $66,072–$88,788/yr
State Of Washington at a glance
wa.gov- Founded 1889
SEC filings mentioning "State of Washington": 10,000+ — search EDGAR
The State of Washington is the Pacific Northwest state government employer behind this DSHS DVR role (domain wa.gov). Statehood dates to 1889; Olympia is the capital. For broader context, see Washington (state) on Wikipedia.
87,931 Wikipedia views in June 2026 — a rough gauge of public visibility.
Source: Wikipedia
Join the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) at the State of Washington as a Lead Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor in Tumwater, Thurston County. In this full-time position, you'll lead and mentor a team of counselors while directly serving individuals with disabilities, guiding them toward meaningful employment and greater independence in their communities.
About the Role
As a Lead Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with DSHS, you combine hands-on client support with team leadership. You'll manage complex vocational cases, deliver individual and group counseling, and oversee the work of junior rehabilitation counselors. Your focus is helping people with disabilities discover their strengths, address employment barriers, and achieve sustainable career goals through coordinated, person-centered services.
What You'll Do
- Conduct comprehensive vocational assessments and develop individualized employment plans for clients with disabilities
- Provide career counseling, job coaching, and employment placement support
- Coordinate with employers, community partners, and service providers to create job opportunities
- Train, supervise, and mentor rehabilitation counseling staff
- Monitor client progress, adjust service plans, and document outcomes in state systems
- Ensure compliance with federal vocational rehabilitation regulations and agency standards
- Participate in outreach and community engagement to expand DVR services
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's degree in vocational rehabilitation, counseling, social work, or related field
- Current or ability to obtain Washington state rehabilitation counselor certification
- Professional experience in vocational rehabilitation, career counseling, or related disability services
- Demonstrated supervisory or team leadership experience
- Strong communication, advocacy, and problem-solving skills
- Knowledge of federal and state vocational rehabilitation programs
- Commitment to person-centered, recovery-oriented practice
About the State of Washington
The State of Washington Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) serves Washington residents with essential social, health, and rehabilitation services. DVR specializes in empowering individuals with disabilities through employment outcomes and independent living success—core values reflected in every team member's work.
How to Apply
To apply, complete your application directly on this page, or you'll be redirected to the employer's application platform to finish submitting there.
To apply for this job please visit www.adzuna.com.
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Recent news
- Washington state has too much pot as recreational cannabis sales decline - KUOW
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- 3 dead, 1 in critical condition after wrong-way crash in SW Washington in early morning hours after July 4 - OregonLive.com
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Working in Tumwater, Thurston County
Weather right now in Tumwater, Thurston County: checking… · Local time: · Air quality: · Daylight: · UV index: · Wind: · Pollen:
The posting is in Tumwater, Thurston County (display area includes ZIP 98512), next to the Olympia capital region—typical for state agency offices, not a remote role.
🇺🇸 Relocation safety for US: Exercise Normal Caution — via Warnely, CC BY 4.0
National unemployment rate in US: 4.2% — via World Bank
Private-sector wage growth (year over year): 3.3% — via FRED
National quits rate: 1.9% — via FRED (BLS JOLTS)
GDP per capita in US: $90,027 — via World Bank
Consumer price inflation in US: 2.9% (annual) — via World Bank
Average hours worked per year in US: 1,800 — via OECD
Cost of living in Washington: 7.0% above the national average — via BEA
Median household income in Thurston County: $93,985 — via US Census ACS / Data USA
Nearby history: Tumwater Methodist Church, listed 1984 (720m away) — via National Register of Historic Places
Typical climate: average high 61°F / low 41°F year-round (summers around 75°F, winters around 33°F) — via NOAA 1991-2020 Normals
Walkability: Above average walkable (14.7/20) — via EPA National Walkability Index
Typical rent nearby: $1,682/mo (1BR) · $1,960/mo (2BR) — via HUD Fair Market Rents
- Elevation 55m (180 ft)
Build the skills for this role
No cert package was provided. Strong foundations for this lead role include counseling practice, disability employment services, case management, policy interpretation, and coaching junior counselors—built through state DVR experience rather than a fixed external cert ladder here.
- Explain how you prioritize and quality-check VR plans and case notes under state rules.
- Give an example of mentoring peers on tough eligibility or accommodation decisions.
- Discuss collaboration with employers, vendors, and clients toward job outcomes.
Best fit: experienced VR counselors ready to lead practice quality in a Washington state DSHS/DVR setting in Tumwater—policy-fluent, client-centered, and comfortable with public-sector caseload and compliance work.
Job details above are provided by the employer/source. The sections on this page are compiled from public data sources with AI assistance.
Accommodations: if you need a workplace accommodation to apply for or perform this job, see ADA.gov or EEOC.gov for guidance on your rights and how to request one.
Listing facts
- Role DSHS DVR Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Lead
- Employer State Of Washington
- Location Tumwater, Thurston County
- Type Full Time
- Pay (from listing) $66,072–$88,788/yr
- Posted June 30, 2026
- Apply by 2026-08-01
- Country context US
- Overview Full original description on this page (311 words; rewritten for clarity, not a teaser paste)
Facts above come from this job record on Get A Job.AI — not copied from third-party review sites.
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- Hacker News — Mapping how the United States generates its electricity
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- Hacker News — The End of the War on Drugs and the Emergence of the Cannabis Industry
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