About Job

Requisition No: 858274

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: DOE/DVR - SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSEL - 48004447 - LARGO and ST PETERSBURG

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48004447

Salary: $3,986.67 MONTHLY

Posting Closing Date: 11/02/2025

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

LOCATION: Pinellas County

SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR

Appointment Salary: $3,986.67 per month

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job. VR is a committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers.

This is independent professional counseling work providing vocational rehabilitation services to eligible disabled individuals to attain employment; and providing technical assistance to vocational rehabilitation counselors.

This is a continuous posting to fill Senior VR Counselor positions in Largo and St. Petersburg.

A work-driven resume is required to be submitted with application. If selected, copies of diploma and transcripts will be requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

Establish and maintain education and experience requirements, to ensure that the personnel have a 21st century understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Bachelor’s Degree:

Attainment of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, to indicate a level of competency and skill demonstrating basic preparation in a field of study such as:

vocational rehabilitation counseling

psychology

disability studies

business administration

human resources

special education

supported employment

customized employment

economics

another field that reasonable prepares individuals to work with consumers and employers

Years of Experience:

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

Bachelor’s degree plus not less than 2 years of paid or unpaid experience consisting of:

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

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

experience in other activities that provide experience in competitive integrated employment environments

Advanced Degree:

Attainment of a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study such as:

vocational rehabilitation counseling

psychology

disability studies

business administration

human resources

special education

management

public administration

another field that reasonably provides confidence in:

o the employment sector

o in a disability field

o or in both business-related and rehabilitation-related field

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of the theories and practices in vocational rehabilitation guidance and counseling

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

Knowledge of organizing, tracking, and monitoring fiscal activities

Knowledge of state and federal fiscal requirements

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 vocation Ability to communicate effectively

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Preference may be given to applicants:

Possessing degree in a counseling field
Qualified applicants with fluent bilingual skills in English/Spanish

Duties and Responsibilities:

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 professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with a diversity of disabilities who require complex vocational rehabilitation strategies in order that they may attain appropriate employment outcomes. Provides information to assist individuals with disabilities in making informed choices regarding services, service providers and emplyment 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.

Attendance is an essential function of this position.

Employees 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; 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.

State of Florida Employee Benefits:

State of Florida Retirement Plan – 3% Employee Contribution Required

Employees with up to 5 years of creditable service earn Annual Leave 8.667 hours per month, with 5 to 10 years earn 10.833 hours per month and those with over 10 years of service earn 13 hours per month.
Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of Sick Leave credits per month

10 Paid Holidays annually
Health Insurance for Individual of 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.

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.

All applicants for employment or to volunteer who are selected for an interview will be provided with the Consent to Background Screening form for level 2 screening, the Affidavit of Good Moral Character, and the Notice of Rights. The leading candidate for employment or to volunteer will be required to execute the Consent form and Affidavit, report to a designated location, and submit fingerprints for level 2 screening.

No applicant for a designated position will be employed or permitted to volunteer until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Department.

Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and federal criminal records checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and may include local criminal records checks through local law enforcement agencies.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). 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.