SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSEL

Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

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 advertisement may be used to fill current and future vacancies for up to six months.

This position is in Fort Lauderdale as a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

Minimum requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation.
• Bachelor's degree plus not less than two years of paid or unpaid experience consisting of:
• Direct experience as an employer
• Direct experience as an employment/placement counselor or job developer
• Direct experience as a small business owner or operator
• Direct experience in self-employment
• Experience in human resources
• Experience in recruitment
• Experience in supervising employees
• Experience in training
• Direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center
• Direct service for advocacy activities that provide such individual with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities

Advanced degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study such as:

• Business administration
• Human resources
• Special education
• Management
• Public administration
• Law
• Psychology
• Another field that reasonably provides confidence in the employment sector or in both business-related and rehabilitation-related fields

Advanced degree plus not less than one year of paid or unpaid experience consisting of:

• Direct experience as an employer
• Direct experience as a small business owner or operator
• Direct experience in self-employment
• Experience in human resources
• Experience in recruitment
• Experience in supervising employees
• Experience in training
• Direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center
• Direct service for advocacy activities that provide such individual with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities

Job description:

The employee must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The employee must interact courteously with others. The employee's performance and behavior 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 of this position.

This position is responsible for providing independent professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with a diversity of disabilities in order that they may attain employment; providing and coordinating complex services; and providing technical assistance on vocational rehabilitation issues to internal and external customers.

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. Assesses medical, psychological, and vocational information to determine eligibility for services. Provides technical assistance to internal and external customers. Develops and implements with full participation of the customer with a disability, an Individual Plan for Employment to determine 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. Negotiates with individuals with disabilities regarding plan development. Devises job placement opportunities through job placement activities, including job analysis, job development, and labor market information to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain appropriate employment outcomes. Develops employer contacts and serves as liaison with employers. Utilizes the resources of community rehabilitation providers in securing appropriate job placement for eligible individuals with disabilities. Coordinates or collaborates with others in other placement activities. Provides technical assistance to internal and external customers. Conducts in-depth interviews of individuals with disabilities requiring complex rehabilitation strategies to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and the feasibility for achieving a vocational goal. Manages resources to ensure financial accountability according to state and federal regulations and policies. Collaborates with community partners to assure appropriate use of available resources. Provides technical assistance and specialized training to internal customers. Participates in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation. Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of the theories and practices in vocational rehabilitation guidance and counseling to obtain employment
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques
• Knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disability groups
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective communication
• Knowledge of employment resources and vocational rehabilitation resources
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data
• Ability to compile, organize and analyze medical, vocational and psychological data
• Ability to administer tests and analyze results
• Ability to provide counseling and guidance in the area of career planning
• Ability to develop individual vocational rehabilitation programs and place clients in appropriate vocation
• Ability to communicate effectively
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

State of Florida employee benefits:

• State of Florida Retirement - 3% Employee Contribution Required
• 10 Paid Holidays annually
• Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of sick leave credits per month
• Health Insurance for Individual or Family Coverage – State pays 80% of premium
• Life Insurance – State pays premium for $25,000 basic term life insurance for full time employee
• Additional supplemental insurances are available such as dental, vision, etc.
• Tax Deferred Medical and Child Care Reimbursement Accounts available
• Tax Deferred Savings Program available through payroll deduction

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants eligible for Veterans' Preference will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply. However, applicants claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each application 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. All documentation is due by the closing date of the vacancy announcement.