State of Florida
INDEPENDENT LIVING/CHILDREN'S PROGRAM COUNSELOR - 48006369
State of Florida, Fort Myers, Florida, United States, 33916
INDEPENDENT LIVING/CHILDREN'S PROGRAM COUNSELOR - 48006369
Requisition No: 860373
Agency: Department of Education
Working Title: INDEPENDENT LIVING/CHILDREN'S PROGRAM COUNSELOR - 48006369
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 48006369
Salary: $21.63 to $23.80 per hour
Posting Closing Date: 11/13/2025
Location: District 9/Ft. Myers or Palmetto (Lee or Manatee County)
Position Title: Independent Living/Children's Program Counselor (OPS)
Job Description This position is located in the Division of Blind Services, in the District 9 Office. This position will be located in either Ft. Myers or Manatee county. In conjunction with the community resource providers (CRPs), the Independent Living/Children's Program Counselor is required to perform casework, process invoices and/or assist with instructional duties for rehabilitation clients to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to manage their daily lives and achieve self-confidence and self-sufficiency. The incumbent will provide parent education and information on referral services and advocacy to visually impaired children and families. The incumbent will coordinate with public school vision programs and parent groups, participate in planning and evaluating the provision of services and adaptive skills instruction needed to maximize independent living in the areas of personal management, household management, communication, orientation & mobility (indoor), leisure activities, use of low vision devices, problem solve, and utilize available resources.
Duties & Responsibilities
Conduct client intake.
Assess client's resources.
Perform follow-up and maintain client contract through telephone calls and home visits.
Interview, counsel and evaluate clients to determine individual therapeutic activity needs.
Consult with other professionals and team members concerning recommended programs.
Prepare reports on client's progress and their reactions to various activities.
Evaluate rehabilitation therapy programs and make recommendations for adjustment and revisions.
Conduct in-depth interviews with a diverse group of blind and visually impaired clients to determine their eligibility for rehabilitation services and the feasibility for achieving vocational independent living or educational goal.
Determine existing problems and evaluate individual needs for achieving independence in daily living, acquiring communication skills and/or obtaining suitable employment.
Develop community contracts for employment opportunities, similar benefits and socialization.
Assist on the establishment of policies, standards, rules, regulation and guidelines for program planning.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of social, economic, rehabilitative or health care services, administration or planning techniques.
Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data.
Ability to develop program manuals, policies, procedures, standards and rules.
Ability to analyze the effectiveness of service programs and identify resources or adjustments needed to meet needs.
Ability to conduct research studies.
Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Who We’re Looking For The ideal incumbent must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The incumbent must interact courteously with others. Attendance is an essential function.
Minimum Qualifications
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; or
Four years of professional and relevant experience in a public vocational rehabilitation program. Preference will be given to those with a bachelor’s degree.
Preferred Qualifications
A bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in a public vocational rehabilitation program.
An ability to establish and maintain education and experience requirements to ensure an understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) designation; or who is eligible to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
A Certified Community Work Incentives Counselor (CWIC) designation.
Benefits Information on benefits is available through the Florida Department of Education.
Office Contact Leigh Ann Bellamy, District Administrator Phone: 239-278-7130
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
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Agency: Department of Education
Working Title: INDEPENDENT LIVING/CHILDREN'S PROGRAM COUNSELOR - 48006369
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 48006369
Salary: $21.63 to $23.80 per hour
Posting Closing Date: 11/13/2025
Location: District 9/Ft. Myers or Palmetto (Lee or Manatee County)
Position Title: Independent Living/Children's Program Counselor (OPS)
Job Description This position is located in the Division of Blind Services, in the District 9 Office. This position will be located in either Ft. Myers or Manatee county. In conjunction with the community resource providers (CRPs), the Independent Living/Children's Program Counselor is required to perform casework, process invoices and/or assist with instructional duties for rehabilitation clients to acquire the skills and knowledge they need to manage their daily lives and achieve self-confidence and self-sufficiency. The incumbent will provide parent education and information on referral services and advocacy to visually impaired children and families. The incumbent will coordinate with public school vision programs and parent groups, participate in planning and evaluating the provision of services and adaptive skills instruction needed to maximize independent living in the areas of personal management, household management, communication, orientation & mobility (indoor), leisure activities, use of low vision devices, problem solve, and utilize available resources.
Duties & Responsibilities
Conduct client intake.
Assess client's resources.
Perform follow-up and maintain client contract through telephone calls and home visits.
Interview, counsel and evaluate clients to determine individual therapeutic activity needs.
Consult with other professionals and team members concerning recommended programs.
Prepare reports on client's progress and their reactions to various activities.
Evaluate rehabilitation therapy programs and make recommendations for adjustment and revisions.
Conduct in-depth interviews with a diverse group of blind and visually impaired clients to determine their eligibility for rehabilitation services and the feasibility for achieving vocational independent living or educational goal.
Determine existing problems and evaluate individual needs for achieving independence in daily living, acquiring communication skills and/or obtaining suitable employment.
Develop community contracts for employment opportunities, similar benefits and socialization.
Assist on the establishment of policies, standards, rules, regulation and guidelines for program planning.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of social, economic, rehabilitative or health care services, administration or planning techniques.
Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data.
Ability to develop program manuals, policies, procedures, standards and rules.
Ability to analyze the effectiveness of service programs and identify resources or adjustments needed to meet needs.
Ability to conduct research studies.
Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Who We’re Looking For The ideal incumbent must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The incumbent must interact courteously with others. Attendance is an essential function.
Minimum Qualifications
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; or
Four years of professional and relevant experience in a public vocational rehabilitation program. Preference will be given to those with a bachelor’s degree.
Preferred Qualifications
A bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in a public vocational rehabilitation program.
An ability to establish and maintain education and experience requirements to ensure an understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.
Knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
A Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) designation; or who is eligible to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).
A Certified Community Work Incentives Counselor (CWIC) designation.
Benefits Information on benefits is available through the Florida Department of Education.
Office Contact Leigh Ann Bellamy, District Administrator Phone: 239-278-7130
Equal Opportunity Employer 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.
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