SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 48004747

State of Florida•Fort Myers, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor performs advanced-level work under the limited supervision of the Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor in Area 7 Hollywood Unit 22D of the Florida Department of Education’s Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. The position provides professional vocational rehabilitation counseling services to individuals with disabilities, including potentially eligible youth ages 14–21, to support competitive integrated employment. The role coordinates rehabilitation services, provides technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders, maintains case records, tracks authorizations and related case activities, monitors caseload data, and ensures compliance with agency policies, procedures, and applicable regulations. The position conducts intake and eligibility activities; develops Individualized Plans for Employment in collaboration with participants; authorizes and manages services; supports job development and placement; coordinates with community providers, schools, workforce partners, and employers; and provides counseling, case management, follow-up, and post-employment support. It also maintains case documentation in agency information systems and participates in required training and professional development. This is an onsite position scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is not available. The advertised salary is $47,840 annually, with salary based on the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, such as psychology, disability studies, business administration, human resources, special education, supported employment, customized employment, economics, vocational rehabilitation counseling, or another field that reasonably prepares the applicant to work with consumers and employers.
Two years of experience in one or more qualifying areas: direct work with individuals with disabilities; disability advocacy services; employment as an employer; small business ownership or operation; self-employment; human resources; recruitment; employee supervision; training; or other activities providing experience in competitive integrated employment environments.
Ability to meet the federal requirements for this federally funded position.
Education and experience should support a 21st-century understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Complete application information and verifiable responses to qualifying questions; experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, and abilities claimed must be supported by the application.
Successful applicants must pass the required Level 2 background screening.

Nice To Haves

Both professional and educational experience.
Direct case-management experience and ability to manage a high-volume caseload efficiently.
Completion of all application information and hiring requirements listed in the advertisement.
Master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in business administration, vocational rehabilitation counseling, law, psychology, disability studies, human resources, special education, management, public administration, or another field that provides confidence in the employment sector, a disability field, or both business-related and rehabilitation-related fields.

Responsibilities

Review referrals, complete applications, conduct initial interviews, explain informed choice, and review medical, psychological, educational, and vocational records as part of intake.
Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and complete required documentation, assessments, and decisions within established timeframes.
Develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) with each participant, identifying an appropriate employment goal and the services needed to achieve it.
Authorize, coordinate, and manage services under the IPE, monitoring service delivery, expenditures, authorizations, documentation, coding accuracy, and financial compliance.
Conduct job development and placement activities, including labor market research, employer outreach, and business engagement to obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment opportunities.
Collaborate with community rehabilitation providers, educational institutions, workforce partners, employers, and other stakeholders to support placement, retention, training, credential attainment, and employment outcomes.
Provide vocational counseling, case management, progress monitoring, follow-up services, and post-employment support.
Maintain case documentation of eligibility determinations, service authorizations, case activities, participant progress, and employment outcomes in agency information systems.
Participate in required training, professional development, and continuing education to maintain vocational rehabilitation knowledge, competencies, and applicable certifications.
Perform other duties as assigned.

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.
Annual leave accrual that varies by years of creditable service; Career Service employees earn 8.667 to 13 hours per month depending on tenure.
Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of sick leave per month.