Job Description

Requisition No: 873051

Agency: Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Working Title: RESIDENTIAL UNIT SPECIALIST - 67013425

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 67013425

Salary: $1,336.92 - $1,470.62 Biweekly

Posting Closing Date: 04/30/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

POSITION: Residential Unit Specialist - Career Service

POSITION’S LOCATION: Tacachale – Gainesville, FL

POSITION NUMBER: This advertisement is for multiple vacancies.

OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

CANDIDATE POOL: Future vacancies may be filled from this advertisement for a period of up to six months.

This posting may close prior to closing date.

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Health insurance (over 90% employer paid)
• $25,000 life insurance policy (100% employer paid)
• Dental, vision and supplemental insurances available at state rates
• State of Florida retirement package
• Generous vacation and sick leave
• 10 paid holidays a year
• Career advancement opportunities
• Tuition waiver for state college/university courses
• Training opportunities
• For additional benefit information available to State of Florida employees, go to http://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com

The Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD) works in partnership with local communities to support people with developmental disabilities in living, learning, and working in their communities. APD provides critical services and support for customers with developmental disabilities to reach their full potential. The Agency serves people with spina bifida, autism, Down syndrome, children ages 3-5 at high risk of developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy, Prader-Willi syndrome, Phelan-McDermid syndrome, and intellectual disabilities. There is no charge or co-payment for services provided through the Agency. www.apdcares.org

Join APD’s TACACHALE and be part of the team that MAKES A DIFFERENCE – NOT JUST A LIVING, impacting the lives of developmentally disabled adults!

SALARY RANGE

$34,760.00 - $38,236.00 Annually $1,366.92 - $1,470.62 Biweekly

The hiring salary may exceed the maximum posted salary.

SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The primary function of this position is to provide direct support and services to residents in the implementation of their individualized active treatment plans as prescribed by their Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) while maintaining their overall safety and well-being.

Implements approved and scheduled active treatment and skill acquisition programs for residents daily and consistently. Utilizes approved policies and procedures, protocols and training modules to ensure residents’ safety and privacy. Provides supervision and training for residents across all settings. Maintains reports and suggests improvements as appropriate.

Transport and/or escorts residents, to ensure their safety and well-being. Provides care for residents during overnight stays in hospital (until admitted), as directed.

Follows approved individualized behavior support plans utilizing approved intervention strategies. Follows occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech therapy programs and profiles as prescribed.

Implements appropriate recreation and leisure activities for residents.

Communicates with staff during shift change regarding significant resident related information. Accurately documents resident information, provides valuable input, makes suggestions for improvements and participates in meetings and discussions concerning residents’ needs, goals and objectives.

Ensures residents’ clothing and personal possessions are checked daily. Completes residents’ Personal Possession Inventory accurately and monthly as assigned.

Performs appropriate first aid for residents’ injuries and illnesses as the situation warrants. Accurately completes Incident Reports and documents illnesses and injuries within one (1) hour of occurrence and maintains compliance with policies and procedures related to reporting resident injuries.

Remains on duty at the end of the shift until proper staffing is in place for the oncoming shift, or until released by supervisory or management staff. Remain on duty, including working the next shift, if needed to ensure adequate staffing, as directed by supervisory or management staff.

Attend mandatory and in-service training as required, and other staff meetings as necessary. Completes annual health screening.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

• A valid Florida Driver’s License.
  • If hired with an out-of-state license a valid Florida State driver’s license must be obtained within 30 days.
  • Corrective Lenses Restricted license are acceptable provided the driver wears the corrective lenses while operating a state vehicle.
• Must be willing to perform essential services before, during, and after an emergency.
• Must be willing to work beyond the normal work schedule to maintain minimum coverage levels and meet the needs of the Agency.
• Must maintain certification in Prevention and Safety Strategies, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Direct Care In-Service.
• Must be able to physically operate all equipment necessary to do job tasks.
• Must be willing and able to provide “hands-on” assistance to residents with activities of daily living to include: personal hygiene and grooming, such as bathing, toileting, and dressing.

PYHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds.
• Must be able to work 16 hour shifts as needed.
• Must be able to assist with evacuation of residents during an emergency.
• Must be about to work around cleaning supplies.
• Must be able to bend, twist, turn, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift and walk extended distances.

This position may be required to perform essential services before, during, and after an emergency per APD OP 2-0035.

This position is critical to the safety and supervision of residents and may require the incumbent to work beyond their normal work schedule to maintain minimum coverage levels in the facility.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of

• Knowledge of using appropriate safety techniques in personal hygiene, grooming, and other activities of daily living.
• Knowledge and ability to understand and apply the methods and practices used in medical, psychiatric, nursing, or childcare or working with developmentally disabled persons

Ability to:

• Ability to understand procedures and complete reports.
• Ability to read, teach and implement residents’ support plans, formal and informal programs/interventions.
• Ability to follow instructions and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to work in a home-like setting
• Ability to implement prescribed treatment plans including behavior modification activities.
• Ability to instruct others in recreational activities.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PROFILE COMPLETION

Applicants must complete all fields in the Candidate Profile, including their work history with the month and year.

Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile, and “see resume” will not be considered an acceptable response.

Resumes and other documentation can be attached to provide additional information, but this will not replace the required completed Candidate Profile.

All applicants should complete the online application process. If assistance is needed to apply for this position, please call the people first service center at 1-877-562-7287.

Responses to the qualifying questions are required to be considered for this position. Answers to the qualifying questions must be verifiable based on your submitted application.

RETIREE NOTICE

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you will be required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

DIRECT DEPOSIT PROGRAM

As a condition of employment, a person appointed to a position in the State Personnel System is required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program. Rather than receiving a paper paycheck, your funds will be deposited directly into your account at your financial institution. This will be accomplished by Electronic Funds Transfer. Banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions are eligible to accept such deposits. Retirement funds are also required to be in the Direct Deposit Program.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

It is the policy of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities that applicants for employment undergo Level 2 employment screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer.

No applicant for a designated position will be employed or permitted to volunteer until the Level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Agency.

Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for Statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Federal criminal records checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and may include local criminal records checks through local law enforcement agencies.

Pursuant to S. 110.1127(1), Florida Statutes, this position requires a background investigation, including fingerprinting.

APD only hires U.S. citizens, and those lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. APD participates in the U.S. government’s employment eligibility verification program (E-verify). E-verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the U.S. after completing the employment eligibility verification form (I-9).

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

You may be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the 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.

DRUG FREE WORKPLACE

THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS 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.

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.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.