Caseworker I / Social Service Worker (DCFS), Salt Lake County
State of Utah
FreshPosted Jan 13
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Posted: January 14, 2026 (1 day ago)
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Work Incentives Counselor
State of Utah
600 Department of Workforce Services
Location
Utah, 84129
Salary
Not specified
Type
Full Time
More Education & Training jobs →Closes
January 25, 2026More State jobs →
Job Description
Summary
This job involves helping people with disabilities understand how working affects their government benefits, like Social Security and health insurance, and guiding them toward employment without losing support.
You'll interview clients, explain complex rules in simple terms, and work with community partners to provide training and resources.
It's a great fit for someone patient and caring with a background in helping professions, who enjoys problem-solving and making a positive impact on others' lives.
Key Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, Education, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies, or related field
- Proven math, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills, including interpreting federal, state, and local laws on public benefits
- Ability to communicate and teach complex information effectively to people with diverse disabilities, communication styles, and cultural backgrounds
- At least two years of direct work experience with a state vocational rehabilitation agency
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Willingness to travel, including to Utah County one to two times per week
- Preference for current state employees
Full Job Description
The Utah State Office of Rehabilitation (USOR) is looking for a motivated and caring individual to join our team as a Work Incentive Counselor based in Salt Lake City. This position will also require travel to Utah County one to two times per week. In this role, you will help USOR clients understand how work incentives and related programs can support their employment goals. You will provide clear, accurate information, help clients navigate employment-related benefits, and prepare thorough reports that reflect each client’s progress.
You will also share your knowledge by providing training and support to local agency staff and service providers, and by working closely with community partners and public agencies to ensure coordinated services.
This is a meaningful and rewarding position where you can make a real difference. USOR offers strong training, mentorship, and ongoing support during your first two years and beyond as you learn the role and work toward certification.
Principal Duties
The Work Incentive Counselor performs the following tasks:
- Conducts in-depth interviews to obtain and evaluate information about a client’s situation including: background information, disability, employment and earnings, resources, federal, state and local benefits, health insurance, work expenses, and other supports.
- Researches, verifies, and interprets complex laws, policies and regulations regarding benefits, including SSDI, SSI, Medicare/Medicaid, private health insurance, housing subsidies, SNAP, and any other federal, state and local supports.
- Condense complex information into a teachable format (written report) for the client to understand and use.
- Meets with clients and teaches important information on how work affects their Social Security and other public benefits and reporting requirements.
- Maintains ongoing contact with Social Security Administration personnel.
- Works cooperatively and collaboratively with USOR staff, and other divisions of Department of Workforce Services, along with external resources. These may include providers, employment networks and advocacy groups.
- Provides routine outreach activities to beneficiaries, community partners, schools, and providers.
This position may be under filled as a Rehabilitation Counselor I or a Rehabilitation Trainee.
- Rehabilitation Trainee - BS Degree - No work related experience - $20.42
- Rehabilitation Counselor I - BS Degree + 1 year work related experience - $22.45
- Rehabilitation Counselor II - Masters in VRC or related field + 1 year work related experience - $24.66
- A 5% salary increase will be provided to individuals who are Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC)
Minimum Qualifications
The ideal applicant for this position is someone who:
The ideal applicant for this position is someone who:
- Has a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in Social Work, Education, Psychology,
Rehabilitation Counseling, Disability Studies or another related field of study. - Has proven math, analytical thinking, and problem solving skills, including the ability to interpret Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and administrative code about public benefits.
- Is able to teach and communicate effectively about complex information with persons with a wide range of disabilities, communication styles, and cultural backgrounds.
- Has at least two years of direct work experience with a state vocational rehabilitation agency.
- Is a current state employee.
- Is willing to travel.
- Has strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Has excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and collaboration skills.
Preference
Preference points may be given for the following:
Preference points may be given for the following:
- Hold current certification as a Community Partner Work Incentive Counselor (CPWIC) or a Community Work Incentives Coordinator (CWIC) through Virginia Commonwealth University or current WIP-C certification through Cornell University.
Why You Should Join Our Team
This is an opportunity to make a difference. Along with the satisfaction of helping individuals with disabilities you will receive great health and retirement benefits. Click here to view a summary of the benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work life balance.
The Agency
The mission of Workforce Services is to strengthen Utah’s communities by connecting the workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.
This is an opportunity to make a difference. Along with the satisfaction of helping individuals with disabilities you will receive great health and retirement benefits. Click here to view a summary of the benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work life balance.
The Agency
The mission of Workforce Services is to strengthen Utah’s communities by connecting the workforce to new opportunities and providing services to individuals and families in need. Today, more than 2,200 Workforce Services employees assist individuals in preparing for and finding jobs, meeting workforce needs of Utah businesses, administering temporary assistance, and providing economic data and analysis. Through a collaborative approach, the department has served millions of Utahns and has become a leader on several statewide initiatives. These include intergenerational poverty, homelessness, affordable housing, supporting refugees, helping rural communities, serving veterans and individuals with disabilities, and getting Utahns trained and back to work. To learn more about Workforce Services, click here.
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