Requisition No: 859537

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR II - 64029384 1

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64029384

Salary: $33,600 - $38,803 annually

Posting Closing Date: 09/02/2025

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Thank you for your interest in career opportunities with the Florida Department of Health in Polk County. If you are looking to establish a successful career in Public Health, you have come to the right place. Many of our innovative and successful health programs are recognized throughout Florida. We hope you decide to join our team! Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

The incumbent if part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Polk County in its mission to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The person in this position provides services to families targeted for outreach and care coordination of high-risk pregnant women and their infants in the Polk County area as determined by the Healthy Start program authorized by the 1991 legislature under the Healthy Start Act, 383.216 F.S., Chapters 100-113, and related activities which identify needs in this population. This position may serve clients that speak only Spanish, Creole, or other languages. It may require performance of interpreter duties, if bilingual, or implementation of the Department's Limited English Proficiency Plan.

Provides outreach, assessment of health, nutritional, developmental, social, environmental, and behavioral conditions, and care coordination of families. Coordinates services with other community agencies serving pregnant women, children, and families.

Uses screening instruments to assess pregnant women and infants. Act as liaison, communicator, and advocate for at risk pregnant women and children; interfaces with health care providers and other resources to improve service coordination. Promotes and encourages family self-help and self-responsibility.

Jointly develops written Family Support Plans with clients and families, identifies specific concerns, needs and priorities, and available resources. Specifies service objectives leading to improved health outcomes. Implements, evaluates, and monitors Family Support Plan Activities and enhanced services rendered to infants and pregnant women determined to be at risk. Works collaboratively with other community agencies involved with the family. Documents progress and periodically updates the plan using assessment of risk factors and needs.

Provides supportive counseling on a one-to-one basis. Educates with a preventative approach on various topics such as: smoking cessation, parenting education, breastfeeding, drug and alcohol avoidance, postpartum depression, childbirth, family planning, interconception care, childhood developmental stages, and nutrition. Complete 40-hour Child Passenger Safety Technician Training, as offered, to assist Healthy Start Families to correctly install car seats, as well as inspect for correct installation of car seats previously installed. Follows the National Child Passenger Safety Training guidelines to maintain training bi-annually.

Document all client contacts and services provided in the designated Healthy Start client data system. Follows Healthy Start Standards and Guidelines about risk assessment, timeliness of client contacts, services provided, coding, documentation, and case closure processes.

Uses a team approach for Healthy Start care coordination and other outreach services. Serves as resource/support person to other team members. Works with other team members on special projects related to Healthy Start Program.

Maintains professional competency by attending conferences and in-service training. Completes all mandatory training for FDOH and the Healthy Start Coalition.

Although fluency in both English and Spanish and/or Creole are not requirements of this position, because of the large Hispanic and Haitian populations that are served by this program, skills in Spanish and /or Creole, in addition to English, are desirable.

Performs other duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Knowledge of rules, policies, procedures and laws pertaining to the program.
• Ability to read, understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to work with socio-economically and culturally diverse populations.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to schedule and coordinate assigned work responsibilities.
• Ability to compose written correspondence and various reports.
• Ability to operate a computer and navigate FDOH and Healthy Start client data bases.
• Knowledge of problem solving techniques.
• Knowledge of office procedures and ability to operate a variety of office equipment.
• Ability to adapt to change.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

• Valid Florida Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within 30 days of employment.

Preferred

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university from one of the following areas: social sciences, a health-related field such as nursing, health education, health planning or health care administration, or social work, or, an associate degree with three years of public health/maternal child experience, is preferred for this position.

Other job-related requirements for this position:

Emergency Duty: Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.

Confidentiality: Incumbent may have access to records containing Social Security numbers in the performance of their job duties.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Bartow, FL

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!