Job Description

Requisition No: 879830

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: REHABILITATION TECHNICIAN-BLIND (OPS) - 48006099

Pay Plan: Temp

Position Number: 48006099

Salary: $18.51/.hr

Posting Closing Date: 08/01/2026

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Florida Department of Education

Division of Blind Services

Bureau of Client Services and Program Support

Independent Living/Children's Program

Location: District 3S/Gainesville (Alachua County)

Position Title: Rehabilitation Technician – Blind (OPS)

Hourly Rate: $18.51

CANDIDATES ARE TYPICALLY HIRED AT THE MINIMUM SALARY

This advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies up to six months.

APPLICATION INFORMATION & HIRING REQUIREMENTS:

Application Information:

• Your Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
• Work History (in easy to review chronological order) Consists of:
  • Any position held by a State of Florida Agency
  • Any position held by a Florida University
  • All periods of employment from high school graduation
  • All periods of current or prior unemployment
  • Gaps 3 months or more must be accounted for*
  • Any Education
  • Any Volunteer Experience
  • Your resume and application must match
• * Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will be converted to your official application.
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contact information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.

Hiring Information and Requirements:

• The Bureau of Personnel Management reviews every application for prior State of Florida and Florida University work history in the People First system.

• If claiming Veteran’s Preference, the candidate MUST attach supporting documentation such as the DD214 and your VA Letter that reflects level of disability if applicable. Applicable to career service positions only.
• If claiming Right to First Interview, the candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. Applicable to career service positions only.

If you are missing any of the items above, your packet may be held up at the final review step.

NOTE: Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

OFFICE CONTACT:

Patience Lofton, HR Liaison: 352-955-2075

This position serves as a Rehabilitation Technician for the Blind/Visually Impaired in the Division of Blind Services District 3 Satellite Office, located in Gainesville, Florida The incumbent in this position will demonstrate accountability and support towards the goals of the agency leadership and communicate the same to other employees and stakeholders. This includes support to agency leadership on all program related actions and activities, and as otherwise directed. The incumbent must model, demonstrate, and guide other employees in the use of the principles of flexibility, adaptability, and approachability – while adhering to applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

(Note: The omission of specific job duties does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.)

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has an open position that is responsible for executing the following functions:

• Is responsible for providing intake services and assisting with case management activities as directed by the District Administrator, Assistant District Administrator, and the Human Services Program Consultant (Independent Living/Children’s Program Counselor).
• Gather eye medical and other information for the purpose of eligibility determinations by the Human Services Program Consultant.
• This position requires an understanding of various eye conditions and their impact on functional abilities, knowledge of community resources, and the ability to convey that knowledge as it relates to eligibility and provision of rehabilitation services.
• Reviews applications and referrals, gathers necessary data, informs applicants of available services, provides information and referrals.
• Processes referrals and applications and documents case activities in accordance with State/Federal laws and regulations, program procedures, and timeframes.
• Utilizes the electronic client information system (AWARE) as a case management tool.
• Provides case management support, including purchase of services to the Human Services Program Consultants, (to include the Employment Program Counselors, Employment Placement Specialists, and the Independent Living/Children’s Program Counselor) in the District.
• Assist the Human Services Program Consultants with monitoring of facility cases, including case closures.
• Works in conjunction with the Human Services Program Consultants to ensure timely provision of services.
• Provides information and referral services for individuals who are eligible or ineligible for DBS Services.
• Accurately enters data into the electronic client information system (AWARE).
• Provides data and reports from AWARE as needed.
• Independently prepares correspondence and other documents, including travel forms as directed.
• Serves as the Travel Liaison for the Gainesville Satellite Office by completing all travel authorizations and reimbursements within allotted timeframes accurately and error free.
• Processes Purchasing Card (P-Card) charges immediately after using -following all guidelines currently put into place.
• Processes Administrative Purchase Orders (P.O’s) in the MFMP system in accordance with State, FDOE, and Division purchasing guidelines and serves as backup for the Gainesville Office as needed.
• Provides telephone coverage in a professional, courteous, and efficient manner, delivers messages accurately and in a timely manner.
• Processes incoming/outgoing mail in accordance with District procedures.
• Sets up case files and maintains correct case file order as assigned.
• Effectively and appropriately maintains uses and monitors District funds, equipment and resources.
• Travel may be required to complete assigned duties.
• Performs other duties as requested.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

The ideal incumbent must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The incumbent must interact courteously with others. The performance and behavior of all employees must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit. Attendance is an essential function.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of state and federal regulations.
• Knowledge of the Vocational Rehabilitation processes/procedures.
• Effective communication skills (including proficiency in computer word processing and data entry procedures, comparable services and benefits, eye diseases and their functional impact and agency services).
• An ability to establish and maintain education and experience requirements to ensure an understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three (3) to five (5) years of professional and relevant experience in a public vocational rehabilitation program.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferences will be given to those with:

• A bachelor’s degree in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation.
• An ability to establish and maintain education and experience requirements to ensure an understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

EDUCATIONAL SUBSITITUIONS:

SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation. Related work experience may not substitute for any licensure, certification, or registration required by an agency and indicated in the advertised job description.

DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES MISSION STATEMENT:

The Division of Blind Services ensure blind and visually impaired Floridians have the tools, support and opportunities to achieve success. In partnership with others, we create a barrier-free environment in the lives of Floridians with visual disabilities. The Florida Division of Blind Services helps blind and visually impaired individuals achieve their goals and live their lives with as much independence and self-direction as possible. The Division serves thousands of Floridians through its plethora of programs and services. District and Satellite Offices located throughout the state, as well as the Career, Technology and Training Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CTTC), and the Braille and Talking Books Library. The Division of Blind Services has become a national model in education employment and other services that foster independence for blind and visually impaired Floridians.

FLDOE: Division of Blind Services

* We care about the success of our employees.

* We care about the success of our clients.

* We are always improving our technology, our tools, our customer’s experiences and ourselves.

* A rewarding experience for reliable, compassionate and professional employees.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT:

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. No applicant for a designated position will be employed, contracted or permitted to volunteer until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Department.Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, finger printing for all purposes and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local criminal records checks through local law enforcement.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (SSS) AND REQUIREMENT:

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.

For more information, please visit the Selective Service website

SPECIAL NOTE:

Please note that this position requires an on-site schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is not available for this role.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.