Job Description

Requisition No: 872348

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 48003637

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48003637

Salary: 3,986.67

Posting Closing Date: 04/02/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

OCCUPATION PROFILE

DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

Unit 10B - Ocala Office

SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR

Hiring for Position Number: 48003637

Minimum Hiring Salary: $3,986.67 Monthly

This Advertisement may be used to fill current and future vacancies for up to 6 months.

Any "gaps" in employment must be address

Our Mission is "to help people with disabilities find and maintain employment and enhance their independence." Our Vision is "to become the first place people with disabilities turn when seeking employment and a top resource for employers in need of qualified employees."

This position is located in Ocala.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education 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.

All applicants for employment or to volunteer who are selected for an interview will be provided with the Consent to Background screening form for level 2 screening, the Affidavit of Good Moral Character, and the Notice of Rights. The leading candidate for employment or to volunteer will be required to execute the Consent form and Affidavit, report to a designated location, and submit fingerprints for level 2 screening.

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 Department.

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.

SALARY AND PREFERENCES

This position typically is hired at the pre-broadband salary minimum of $3,986.67 per month.

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.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling deals with counseling individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, or the stress of daily life. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement. Some positions in this occupation may be responsible for coordinating work and supervising employees.

This position is responsible for providing professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with a diversity of disabilities in order that they may attain employment and for providing and coordinating services. The incumbent of this position will access client information, maintain case records, produce correspondence, and perform other automated functions within the scope of the position's responsibilities.

VR Client Eligibility Determination

• Assess medical, psychological, and vocational information to determine eligibility for services
• Negotiates and develops, with full participation of the customer with a disability, an Individualized Plan For Employment to determine employment outcomes
• Conducts in-depth interviews with individuals with disabilities requiring rehabilitation strategies in order to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and to determine the feasibility for achieving an employment outcome
• Provides professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with a diversity of disabilities in order that they may attain appropriate employment outcomes
• Provides information to assist individuals with disabilities in making informed choices regarding services, service providers, and employment outcomes
• Authorizes, coordinates and/or negotiates services leading to successful employment outcomes
  Employment Contacts and Placement

• Develops employer contacts and serves as liaison with employers
• Develops and utilizes job placement opportunities to assist eligible individuals with disabilities to obtain appropriate employment
• Provides selective job development and placement
• Collaborates with team members in placement activities
• Utilizes the resources of community rehabilitation providers in securing appropriate job placement for eligible individuals with disabilities
  Financial Accountability

• Manages resources to ensure financial accountability according to state and federal regulations
• Collaborates with community partners to assure appropriate use of available resources
• Continuing Education and Training
• Participates in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation
• MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a social, behavioral or rehabilitative science, education, or related field, and one year of professional experience in counseling or in a public vocational rehabilitation program; or a master's degree from an accredited college or university in a social, behavioral or rehabilitative science or education program can substitute for one year of required experience.
  EXAMPLES OF WORK

• Conducts client intake
• Assesses client's resources
• Performs job placement and job development activities for clients
• Performs follow-up and maintains client contact through telephone calls and home visits
• Interviews, counsels, and evaluates patients to determine individual therapeutic activity needs
• Consults with other professionals and team members concerning recommended programs
• Prepares reports on patients' progress and their reactions to various activities
• Evaluates rehabilitation therapy programs and makes recommendations for adjustment and revisions
• Conducts in-depth interviews with a diverse group of blind and visually impaired clients to determine their eligibility for rehabilitation services and the feasibility for achieving a vocational independent living or educational goal
• Determines existing problems and evaluates individual needs for achieving independence in daily living, in acquiring communication skills and/or obtaining suitable employment.
• Develops community contacts for employment opportunities, similar benefits and socialization
• Assists in the establishment of policies, standards, rules, regulations and guidelines for program planning

EXAMPLES OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

(Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) identified in this class specification represent those needed to perform the duties of this class. Additional knowledge, skills and abilities may be applicable for individual positions in the employing agency.)

Knowledge of:

• The theories and practices in counseling
• The principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication
• The methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data
• Medical and psychological aspects of disability groups
• Interviewing techniques
  Ability to:

• Interview clients in order to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services
• Compile, organize and analyze medical and psychological data
• Provide counseling and guidance in the area of career planning
• Develop individual vocational rehabilitation programs
• Assess test results
• Plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Communicate effectively
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Use and analyze information from the management information system
• Understand and use State and Federal vocational rehabilitation regulations and policies
• Use automated systems

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.