What does a vocational counselor do?
People who have issues with getting employment or have certain disabilities require the help of a vocational counselor. This individual provides counseling, provides job plans for patients, and assists patients in achieving their employment goals so they can earn the income needed to live comfortably. They may be expected to help clients understand what they are capable of and using this, help develop their career goals. They provide the link between clients who are seeking employment and employers.
Vocational counselor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real vocational counselor resumes:
- Manage all program operation in accordance with HRA and industry regulations, agency policies, and HIPPA guidelines.
- Direct vocational rehabilitation services to developmentally disable individuals.
- Conduct eligibility determination process for applicants seeking vocational rehabilitation services.
- Identify clients' transferable skills and aptitudes.
- Help disabled veterans excel beyond their own expectations.
- Convene individual participants to discuss and review DVE, IPE, and EP's.
- Conduct intakes, determine eligibility, assist in IPE, and assist in finding employment.
- Partner with local veterans organizations to brief veterans on benefits that are possible from the state.
- Provide group and individual counseling to patients receiving medication assist therapy through comprehensive recovery-orient and trauma inform treatment planning and implementation.
- Develop, and monitor IEP goals to improve overall quality of life for person with disabilities.
- Generate goal and objectives for transition and vocational IEP goals in coordination with state standards and personal needs of students.
- Collaborate with NE DDS, state service providers and team members to ensure appropriate funding and person centered services.
- Conduct vocational counseling / testing, career planning, and job readiness skills training.
- Verify eligibility of patients for clinical trials, assures adherence to protocol treatments and assess for adverse events in study patients.
- Create and monitor individualized plans of care for each client to ensure the care plan meet the specifications of DHS guidelines.
Vocational counselor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 20% of Vocational Counselors are proficient in Rehabilitation, Social Work, and Mental Health. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Speaking skills, and Listening skills.
We break down the percentage of Vocational Counselors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Rehabilitation, 20%
Conducted eligibility determination process for applicants seeking vocational rehabilitation services.
- Social Work, 12%
Served on the Board of Directors for VUU School of Social Work Program and Gospel Baptist Church Child Care Center.
- Mental Health, 7%
Provided residential support services to individuals with developmental disabilities, mental health and substance abuse issues.
- Community Resources, 7%
Provided community resources to assist in optimal support for individual cases.
- Substance Abuse, 6%
Provided individual vocational counseling to clients in recovery from substance abuse.
- Vocational Assessments, 5%
Coordinated testing and ancillary services as necessary to identify strengths and weaknesses, intelligence and personality issues, and vocational assessments.
Common skills that a vocational counselor uses to do their job include "rehabilitation," "social work," and "mental health." You can find details on the most important vocational counselor responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a vocational counselor to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "school and career counselors and advisors interpret student records, schoolwide data, and assessments to match interests and abilities with potential careers. ." Additionally, a vocational counselor resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "documented/entered/submitted clients' progress with obtaining competitive employment in a timely manner in computer database system"
Speaking skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling vocational counselor duties is speaking skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "school and career counselors and advisors must communicate effectively with clients and students." According to a vocational counselor resume, here's how vocational counselors can utilize speaking skills in their job responsibilities: "represented insurance interests at state rehabilitation unit hearings. "
Listening skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of vocational counselors is listening skills. This skill is critical to many everyday vocational counselor duties, as "school and career counselors and advisors need to give full attention to students and clients in order to understand their problems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "communicated with other health providers and community resources to assist clients. "
Compassion. A big part of what vocational counselors do relies on "compassion." You can see how essential it is to vocational counselor responsibilities because "school and career counselors and advisors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be able to empathize with their clients and students." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical vocational counselor tasks: "provide at-risk youth with therapeutic and compassionate services. "
Interpersonal skills. Another common skill required for vocational counselor responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." This skill comes up in the duties of vocational counselors all the time, as "school and career counselors and advisors must be able to work with people of all backgrounds and personalities." An excerpt from a real vocational counselor resume shows how this skill is central to what a vocational counselor does: "established and maintained interpersonal relationships with youths. "
The three companies that hire the most vocational counselors are:
- Samaritan Daytop Village9 vocational counselors jobs
- My Florida Regional Mls8 vocational counselors jobs
- Florida Department of Transportation5 vocational counselors jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable vocational counselor resume templates
Build a professional vocational counselor resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your vocational counselor resume.Compare different vocational counselors
Vocational counselor vs. Counselor internship
When it comes to Counselor Internship, among the primary responsibilities is to assist in dealing with various activities such as preparing and verifying necessary documentation, observing consultations and outreach programs, guide clients and help develop multiple helpful strategies, and provide assessments. Furthermore, one can conduct counseling and consultation only under supervision. It is also essential to track the information gathered and coordinate with assigned personnel to adhere to the company's regulations and policies.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a vocational counselor are more likely to require skills like "rehabilitation," "social work," "mental health," and "substance abuse." On the other hand, a job as a counselor internship requires skills like "intake assessments," "substance abuse issues," "mental health issues," and "group therapy sessions." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Counselor interns earn the highest salaries when working in the finance industry, with an average yearly salary of $51,629. On the other hand, vocational counselors are paid more in the education industry with an average salary of $43,530.The education levels that counselor interns earn slightly differ from vocational counselors. In particular, counselor interns are 4.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a vocational counselor. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vocational counselor vs. Student services counselor
Student Services is a part of the school program that focuses on helping students in their studies. A Student Services Counselor handles this task and is the contact person for all students who need help or who have problems and issues requiring solutions and answers. In a culturally diverse population in schools, it is the student service counselor's job to connect each student to relevant student service programs available in the school. Ultimately, the welfare of the students and their success in school is the goal of this position.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that vocational counselor responsibilities requires skills like "substance abuse," "vocational assessments," "vocational rehabilitation," and "mental illness." But a student services counselor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "financial aid," "student services," and "student accounts."
Student services counselors may earn a higher salary than vocational counselors, but student services counselors earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $45,469. On the other hand, vocational counselors receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $43,530.In general, student services counselors achieve lower levels of education than vocational counselors. They're 11.4% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for vocational counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Director of Career Services, Rocky Mountain College
Vocational counselor vs. Substance abuse counselor
Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, vocational counselors are more likely to have skills like "mental health," "substance abuse," "vocational assessments," and "vocational rehabilitation." But a substance abuse counselor is more likely to have skills like "patients," "substance abuse treatment," "intake assessments," and "excellent interpersonal."
Substance abuse counselors make a very good living in the non profits industry with an average annual salary of $41,273. On the other hand, vocational counselors are paid the highest salary in the education industry, with average annual pay of $43,530.Most substance abuse counselors achieve a similar degree level compared to vocational counselors. For example, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Vocational counselor vs. Student support counselor
A student support counselor is responsible for identifying the students' strengths and challenges through one-on-one counseling and establishing solutions to help them overcome difficulties and achieve their educational goals and aspirations. Student support counselors assist the faculty in determining appropriate programs and activities to develop the students' capabilities, especially as a way of preparing them with their career objectives. They also coordinate with the students' families for extended guidance and support for their growth and development.
Types of vocational counselor
Updated January 8, 2025











