Vocational Rehabilitation Program (Combined or General)

Approximately, fifty-nine (59) “rehab counselors/clerical support staff”, eleven (11) supervisors from the “administrative staff” and three (3) specialists from the “staff supporting counselor activities” will be eligible to retire within the next five years based on their age or years of service. These numbers represent actual positions currently filled and do not include those budgeted positions presently not filled. In addition, field supervisors and rehabilitation specialist positions are included in this number because counselors are often promoted into these supervisory roles, leaving counselor vacancies. Therefore, we can project the need for approximately sixty-three (63) counselors over the next five years to remain staffed at the current budgeted level. It is difficult to project the number of ‘Staff Supporting Counselor Activities’ and ‘Other’ staff. However, of the remaining “administrative staff” (less the supervisors) and the support staff (less the specialists) and the “other” the estimate would be eighty—five (85) eligible to retire over the next five years. This is based on the fact that 42% of the current overall agency staff will be eligible to retire within the next five years, based on age or years of service.

The department’s Leadership Training Institute (LTI) graduated fourteen (14) staff members in 2015. These graduates actively compete for leadership roles when vacancies occur. Another method of preparing LTI graduates for leadership roles is involving them in departmental task forces and special assignments. It gives current leadership the chance to see how well LTI graduates perform and the strengths they possess.

Prior to January 10, 2018, rehabilitation counselors hired to work with the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services had to possess master’s degrees from an accredited university in specific fields of study and become “eligible to sit” for the CRC exam (except for one who was grandfathered in; however, he attained a Master’s in another field of study. Effective January 10, 2018, ADRS began requiring a master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Rehabilitation Counseling, Rehabilitation Services, Rehabilitation Administration, Vocational Evaluation, or Counseling. The new minimum requirements continue to uphold the higher education standards of the program while creating a larger applicant pool to fill future vacancies. As of February 28, 2018, no new rehabilitation counselor positions have been filled under the new minimum requirements.

There are currently 170 rehabilitation counselor positions, 5 vacancies, and 25 vacancies projected over the next 5 years. There are currently 19 rehabilitation field supervisor positions, 0 vacancies, and 11 vacancies projected over the next 5 years. There are currently 5 orientation and mobility specialist positions, 0 vacancies, and 3 vacancies projected over the next 5 years. There are currently 12 Interpreter positions, 2 vacancies, and 0 projected vacancies over the next 5 years. There are currently 4 rehabilitation audiologist positions, 1 vacancy, and 0 projected vacancies over the next 5 years. There are currently 17 vision rehabilitation therapist positions, 5 vacancies, and 0 projected vacancies over the next 5 years. There are currently 9 rehabilitation technology specialist positions. There is 1 vacancy. The projected vacancies over the next 5 years is unknown. >