SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 48004632

Requisition No: 872245 | Agency: Department of Education | Location: Unit 22A Sunrise Unit, Deerfield Beach, FL

About the role

The Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor provides independent professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with diverse disabilities to help them attain employment. This includes assessing eligibility, developing Individual Plans for Employment, coordinating complex services, and offering technical assistance on vocational rehabilitation issues to internal and external customers. The role involves managing case records, producing correspondence, and performing automated functions within the scope of responsibilities.

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."

Responsibilities

• Assess medical, psychological, and vocational information to determine eligibility for services.
• Provide technical assistance to internal and external customers on vocational rehabilitation issues.
• Develop and implement, with full participation of the customer, an Individual Plan for Employment to determine employment outcomes.
• Provide information to assist individuals with disabilities in making informed choices regarding services, service providers, and employment outcomes.
• Authorize, coordinate, and/or negotiate services leading to successful employment outcomes.
• Negotiate with individuals with disabilities regarding plan development.
• Devise job placement opportunities through job analysis, job development, and labor market information.
• Develop employer contacts and serve as liaison with employers.
• Utilize resources of community rehabilitation providers to secure appropriate job placement for eligible individuals.
• Coordinate or collaborate with others in placement activities.
• Conduct in-depth interviews of individuals with disabilities requiring complex rehabilitation strategies.
• Manage resources to ensure financial accountability according to state and federal regulations and policies.
• Collaborate with community partners to assure appropriate use of available resources.
• Provide technical assistance and specialized training to internal customers.
• Participate in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

Applicants must meet one of the following education and experience combinations:

• Bachelor’s Degree: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation (e.g., business administration, human resources, special education, psychology, or another relevant field) plus not less than 2 years of paid or unpaid experience in one or more of the following:
  • Direct experience as an employer, employment/placement counselor, or job developer.
  • Direct experience as a small business owner or operator.
  • Direct experience in self-employment.
  • Experience in human resources, recruitment, supervising employees, or training.
  • Experience in competitive integrated employment environments.
  • Direct work with individuals with disabilities in settings such as independent living centers.
  • Direct service for advocacy activities involving individuals with disabilities.
• Advanced Degree: A master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in a field such as business administration, human resources, special education, management, public administration, law, psychology, or another relevant field plus not less than 1 year of paid or unpaid experience in one or more of the following:
  • Direct experience as an employer or small business owner/operator.
  • Direct experience in self-employment.
  • Experience in human resources, recruitment, supervising employees, or training.
  • Experience in competitive integrated employment environments.
  • Direct work with individuals with disabilities in settings such as independent living centers.
  • Direct service for advocacy activities involving individuals with disabilities.

For each year of work experience required, an applicant must have 12 months of full-time work experience to receive credit for an entire year.

Skills

• Knowledge of theories and practices in vocational rehabilitation guidance and counseling.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and medical/psychological aspects of disability groups.
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of effective communication.
• Knowledge of employment and vocational rehabilitation resources.
• Knowledge of methods for 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 career planning.
• Ability to develop individual vocational rehabilitation programs and place clients in appropriate vocations.
• Ability to communicate effectively and establish/maintain working relationships.

Pay

$3,986.67 monthly / $47,840.00 annually (minimum hiring salary).

Benefits

• State of Florida Retirement: 3% employee contribution required.
• Paid Holidays: 10 paid holidays annually.
• Annual Leave:
  • Up to 5 years of service: 8.667 hours per month.
  • 5 to 10 years of service: 10.833 hours per month.
  • Over 10 years of service: 13 hours per month.
• Sick Leave: 8.667 hours per month for Career Service employees.
• Health Insurance: State pays 80% of premium for individual or family coverage.
• Life Insurance: State pays premium for $25,000 basic term life insurance for full-time employees.
• Additional Insurance: Supplemental options available (e.g., dental, vision).
• Tax-Deferred Accounts: Medical and child care reimbursement accounts available.
• Savings Program: Tax-deferred savings program available through payroll deduction.

Background Screening

Applicants selected for an interview must complete a level 2 background screening, including fingerprinting for statewide criminal and juvenile records checks (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) and federal criminal records checks (Federal Bureau of Investigation). Local criminal records checks may also be required. No applicant will be employed or permitted to volunteer until screening results are received, reviewed, and approved.