Career Placement Specialist (VR Service or Rehabilitation Specialist)

About the job

The work we do matters!
Hiring Agency:
Education - Agency 13
Location:
Scottsbluff, NE
Hiring Rate:
$25.603
Job Posting:
JR2026-00029770 Career Placement Specialist (VR Service or Rehabilitation Specialist) (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):
10-23-2026
Job Description:
Do you love finding the perfect fit? Are you passionate about helping others through hiring processes? If you have knowledge of Scottsbluff businesses and comfortable navigating human resources processes, we have a job for you! Our Scottsbluff VR team is highly collaborative and supportive, and are dedicated to serving our Nebraska VR clients.

In this role you will build relationships with local businesses, promoting VR services, and advocating for clients. Excellent communication skills and the confidence in making cold calls are essential for initiating these conversations and connecting with employers to build partnerships. You will also collaborate with people with disabilities to prepare resumes, complete applications, and practice interviewing skills.

Office Location: This position is assigned to our office located in Scottsbluff, NE.

• Pay Rates:
• The available salary rate for this position is dependent on education and is based upon available budget funds; any offer will be made at this rate.
• Successful candidates with a bachelor’s degree will be hired as a Service Specialist, Pay Grade 5: $25.603/hour
• Successful candidates with a master’s degree will be hired as a Rehabilitation Specialist, Pay Grade 7: $30.979/hour

• Teammates Enjoy
• In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes over $25,000 in additional Benefits value! See full benefits information at https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits
• Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement • 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
• Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
• 156% state-matched retirement (yes, that’s $1.56 for every dollar!) with a guaranteed 5% return

• Thirteen paid holidays per year

• Essential Functions
• Assists clients in learning how to prepare resumes and applications, and practice effective interviewing skills.
• Provides individualized information about jobs and their requirements to clients and assists with job retention.
• Instructs clients in Job Seeking Skills (JSS) training and job development activities.
• Initiates and develops relationships with employers, human resources, and management.
• Develops and coordinates community-based evaluations, including on-the-job evaluations (OJEs) and on-the-job trainings (OJTs).
• Provides career, personal adjustment, and disability counseling to help clients achieve employment outcomes.
• Monitors and advocates for client progress to support efficient follow through by team members and providers to ensure client success.
• Develops and maintains partnerships with employers, community referral sources, and one-stop centers.
• Provides outreach and information about vocational rehabilitation to the community, including referral sources and schools.
• Recommends the purchase of goods and services for clients in accordance with established fiscal policies and procedures.
• Maintains regular & reliable attendance, possesses a valid driver’s license and travels independently, and works in a variety of settings.

• Rehabilitation Specialist Additional Functions : Including the functions above, Rehabilitation Specialists also perform the Essential Functions below.
• Prepares and approves cases for client eligibility, priority groups, job goal, and plan for employment by analyzing and synthesizing medical and psychological reports, social, education, and employment information.
• Develops, manages, and approves Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs), and employment outcome determinations.

Working Conditions and Travel :
This position requires approximately 60% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 40% of work time is spent in the community. Employees may be asked, within reason, to use their own personal vehicles for travel. There is also approximately two days of overnight travel per year.

Requirements / Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Service Specialist : Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least one year of work experience related to the essential functions of the position.
Rehabilitation Specialist : Master’s degree with emphasis in one of the following areas: Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Counseling and Guidance, or another field that reasonably provides competence in the employment sector, in a disability field, or both.

Preferred Qualifications:
Service Specialist : Experience working with, and advocating for, people with disabilities. Experience or training providing case management services (documenting observations, writing case notes, locating resources).
Rehabilitation Specialist : Master’s degree in related field and direct experience working with and advocating for persons with significant disabilities. Experience or training providing case management services (documenting observations, writing case notes, locating resources).

If you have any questions about this posting or working at NDE, please email us at nde.hrjobpostings@nebraska.gov .

If you're currently employed by the State of Nebraska, please don't apply through this external career site. Instead, log in to Workday and open the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page. You can access Workday anytime through the Link web page: https://link.nebraska.gov/

Benefits
We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement
The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.