Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

The State of Wisconsin is hiring Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists to support residents with disabilities in La Crosse and surrounding areas. These roles involve coordinating services, collaborating with stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with program requirements. The positions require daytime travel to various locations within assigned Workforce Development Areas. The job offers a flexible, supportive environment and competitive benefits, with a starting pay between $25.42 and $28.17 per hour.
Introduction

Attention case managers! Do you want to make a difference while working in a flexible, fun, and supportive environment? Apply today to join a team of dedicated staff who support Wisconsin residents with disabilities to obtain, maintain, and improve employment outcomes.

The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) offers interesting and meaningful work with an employee-friendly and inclusive work environment, work-life balance, a casual office environment, flexibility, and many opportunities to grow your skills. Apply now to find out why there's so much to love about working for Wisconsin.

The Department of Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) is filling two Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist vacancies. One position will be headquartered in Viroqua, the other in LaCrosse. One position will serve consumers in Buffalo and La Crosse County and one position will serve consumers in Juneau County. DVR maintains 11 Workforce Development Areas (WDAs) across the state where teams of DVR staff work together to assist Wisconsin residents with disabilities with their job search efforts.

These positions require daytime travel to DVR offices and other locations within their assigned WDA to attend trainings and meetings. See WDA map.

This recruitment may be used to fill future similar vacancies (permanent, project or Limited Term).

Position Summary

These positions function in a team environment within the office and are responsible for the coordination of services, collaboration with and education of DVR with stakeholders; program and/or project coordination, and other specialization of tasks related to program development and implementation. These positions are responsible for a full range of documentation and accounting-related duties and fiscal activities. These positions also provide oversight and monitoring of programs funded and administered by DVR to ensure compliance, efficiency and effective services to people with disabilities as required by federal and state law and contract requirements.

To learn more, please review the position description.

Salary Information

Starting pay is between $25.42 and $28.17 per hour, depending on qualifications, plus an exemplary benefits package:
• Generous paid time off, including at least 3 1/2 weeks of vacation/personal time, nine paid holidays, and ample sick time that rolls over each year with no cap.
• Excellent and affordable health insurance options (starting at $42/month for single and $104/month for family coverage).
• Other great insurance options (dental, vision, life, and more).
• A top-notch retirement program and optional tax advantaged 457 retirement savings plan.
• A Well Wisconsin program, offering wellness tools and rewards to employees and spouses.
• A free and confidential employee assistance program that offers employees and their household members tools, resources, and professional consultation services.

Public service is rewarding! This position may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Use this Total Rewards Calculator to see an estimate of the total value of our competitive benefits package!

The classification title for this position is Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist (schedule 12, range 64). A 12-month probationary period will be required This position is not represented in a collective bargaining unit and is considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Pay will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan in effect at the time of appointment. Starting pay may vary for current state employees.

Job Details

Travel: Frequent travel within the WDA and occasionally throughout the state is a requirement of this position. Very rarely does travel involve an overnight stay.

Remote work: This position is eligible to work remotely up to 3 days per week after an initial training period. Employees with approved remote and hybrid-remote work arrangements are generally expected to work within the state of Wisconsin. High-speed internet access is required to meet the needs of remote work. Remote work options are subject to change.

Criminal histories: We also consider all qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Finalists for this position may be required to allow DWD to conduct a background check or other checks to determine whether the circumstances of any conviction may be related to the job being filled. For positions with access to sensitive federal tax information, FBI fingerprinting may also be required.

Eligibility to work in United States: Applicants must be legally entitled to work in the United States (i.e. a US citizen or national or a lawful permanent resident) at the time of appointment. DWD does not sponsor visas and is not an eligible OPT employer for those with F1 visas. This is not a contract position. Any appointment made will be contingent on the applicant completing the I-9 upon hire.

Qualifications

Qualifications marked with an asterisk (*) below will be evaluated in the first step of the selection process. Additional qualifications may be evaluated in subsequent steps.

You Need To Have The Following Experience
• *Providing case management in a human service setting (e.g., managing a list of clients, keeping detailed documentation, providing referrals, and coordinating resources or services, etc.)
• *Performing administrative tasks (e.g., documenting information; completing forms/reports; inputting, tracking, and retrieving data, etc.)
• *Answering questions or providing information about a program or procedures to stakeholders (e.g., customers, consumers, businesses, service providers, etc.)
• Communicating effectively with people from diverse backgrounds
• Managing multiple tasks and competing priorities

Any of the following experience would be nice to have:
• *Working with marginalized populations (e.g., individuals with disabilities, people experiencing poverty, justice involved individuals, etc.)
• *Interpreting and explaining complex policies, procedures, laws, etc. to those with limited familiarity
• *Leading presentations or trainings for a variety of audiences
• *Performing fiscal responsibilities (e.g., processing payments, creating purchase orders/invoices, researching cost comparisons, resolving payment disputes, etc.)

How To Apply

Note: If you are viewing this posting on an external site, please visit Wisc.Jobs (search 17963) to complete your application.

To apply, click "Apply for Job" to start the application process. That will prompt you to access your existing account or create a new account. You will be asked to attach a resume and a letter of qualifications as part of the application process. It is important that these materials clearly illustrate how your qualifications relate to the qualifications of this job. Please review this additional guidance on developing your resume and letter of qualifications (including a template) as you prepare to apply.

Please see the Frequently Asked Questions for general Wisc.Jobs user information and technical assistance.
• Technical issues: if you encounter issues submitting your on-line application (e.g. signing in or uploading a resume), please email the Wisc.Jobs Help Desk at wiscjobs@wisconsin.gov or call (608) 267-1012 (Monday - Friday, 7:45am – 4:30pm).
• Position questions: if you have questions about the position or this recruitment (e.g. projected start date, skills needed, etc.), please email Deb in Human Resources at DJTJobs@dwd.wisconsin.gov or call 608-266-1024.

Please note that once you submit your application, you will not be able to update your materials.

What happens next? A panel will review your application materials to determine your eligibility for further consideration in the selection process. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process, which is typically a virtual interview.

DWD values a diverse workforce and is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Veterans, women, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability. If you are a qualified veteran, please visit the Veterans Employment page for application instructions to be considered for the Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment program.

Deadline to Apply

Application materials must be submitted by 11:59 PM (central time) on Monday, June 9, 2025.