SENIOR VOC REHABILITATION COUNSELOR - 1

Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

This position is located in Ocala, FL Unit 10B. 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.

To be contacted for an interview: Meet the minimum requirements below. Complete the application entirely, including all employment history following your highest level of education. On the application, be prepared to explain employment gaps exceeding 3 months. Explain employment gaps as added employment with acceptable reasons such as being a student, unemployed, caretaker, etc. Review your application, making sure all blank fields under employer are completed.

Minimum Requirements:

• Professional experience working with individuals with disabilities in advocacy and/or employment-related roles.
• Bachelor's degree in the following fields: Counseling, Business, Psychology, Education, Public Safety, or Criminology and 2 years of professional experience. OR Master's or Doctoral degree in relevant fields and 1 year of professional experience.

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 requirement of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment of being permitted to serve as a volunteer.

Description: Senior VR Counselors provide professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with disabilities to help them achieve their employment goals. They assess medical, psychological, and vocational information to determine service eligibility and develop individualized employment plans. The role involves coordinating and negotiating services, conducting job placement activities, and building relationships with employers and community partners. Senior VR Counselors manage client information and case records, provide technical assistance to internal and external customers, and ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Effective communication, data analysis, and career counseling skills are essential. They must balance multiple priorities, work productively under tight deadlines, and maintain a goal-directed approach. In-person attendance is essential for this position.

Knowledge, skill, and abilities: Knowledge of the theories and practices in vocational rehabilitation guidance and counseling; interviewing techniques; medical and psychological aspects of disability groups; principles and techniques of effective communication; employment resources and vocational rehabilitation resources; and, methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data. Ability to compile, organize and analyze medical, vocational and psychological data; administer tests and analyze results; provide counseling and guidance in career planning; develop individual vocational rehabilitation programs and place clients in appropriate vocation; communicate effectively; and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Skill in the development and use of community resources and comparable benefits.

State of Florida employee benefits include health insurance, state of Florida retirement – 3% employee contribution required, 9 paid holidays annually, paid annual leave up to 104 hours annually, paid sick leave up to 104 hours annually, paid term life insurance policy for $25,000, and supplemental insurance policy options: dental, vision, cancer, accidental, etc. Tax deferred medical and childcare reimbursement account options.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Service Center View phone number on click.appcast.io). 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.