SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSEL - 48004336

State of Florida•Gainesville, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor provides independent professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with disabilities, including potentially eligible VR youth ages 14–21, to support employment goals. The role coordinates complex services and provides technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders. It also involves accessing client information, maintaining case records, tracking authorizations and other case activities, and regularly reviewing caseload data. The counselor supports customers throughout the vocational rehabilitation process, from referral, application, eligibility assessment, and individualized planning through service delivery, job placement, employment follow-up, post-employment support, and case closure. The position manages VR resources and purchasing in accordance with applicable policies, regulations, and timelines, and collaborates with customers, employers, community rehabilitation providers, and other community partners. This is an on-site position in Orange Park, Florida, with a schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is not available. Employment is subject to Level 2 background screening.

Requirements

Four years of professional experience in Vocational Rehabilitation, Psychology, Business Administration, Special Education, Human Resources, or a related field.
Establish and maintain education and experience requirements related to understanding the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office software, including Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for four years of direct experience.
Applicants must complete the application and hiring requirements listed in the posting; claimed experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, abilities, and qualifying-question responses must be verifiable.
Successful applicants must pass the required Level 2 background screening.
Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, must meet the stated Selective Service registration or exemption requirements.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience working with individuals with disabilities.
Both professional and educational experience.
Completion of the application information and hiring requirements listed in the advertisement.

Responsibilities

Maintain active and meaningful engagement throughout the life of each VR case.
Meet with individuals to review referrals, complete applications and initial interviews, and document good-faith efforts when applicable, in compliance with federal regulations.
Assess medical, psychological, and vocational information to determine eligibility for services.
Determine and document eligibility for VR services as early as possible, in compliance with federal regulations and policy.
Provide information that supports informed customer choices regarding services, providers, and employment outcomes.
Support customers in obtaining successful, quality employment outcomes.
Authorize, coordinate, and negotiate services that lead to successful employment outcomes.
Collaborate with customers to develop plans and engage them in a timely process to identify vocational goals and services for an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
Document comprehensive assessments in accordance with policy.
Provide reasonable and necessary planned services and meet quality standards in implementing the customer’s IPE.
Track programmatic and financial activities and manage resources according to state and federal regulations and policies.
Develop job placement opportunities through job analysis, job development, and labor market information.
Develop employer contacts and serve as a liaison with employers.
Use community rehabilitation provider resources and collaborate with others to secure appropriate job placement.
Guide customers through credential attainment to support quality employment outcomes.
Provide timely follow-up and monitoring during the employment phase.
Document and track post-employment supports and services, and close cases in accordance with policy.
Manage VR services and customer purchases using sound decision-making and best-value purchasing principles; ensure purchases comply with purchasing policies.
Track and communicate rules and requirements related to financial and payment timelines, including periods of performance, open authorizations, allowable expenditures, and authorization coding.
Collaborate with community partners to ensure appropriate use of available resources.
Participate in training to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation.
Perform other duties as required.

Benefits

State group insurance coverage options.
Nine paid holidays and one personal holiday each year.
Student loan forgiveness program, subject to eligibility.
Tuition fee waivers accepted by major Florida colleges and universities.
Retirement plan options, including employer contributions.
Annual and sick leave benefits.
Flexible Spending Accounts.
Ongoing comprehensive training.
Career growth opportunities.
Maternity and parental leave benefits.
Highly skilled, professional work environment. Employees earn annual and sick leave according to the stated Career Service leave provisions.