State of Florida
INDEPENDENT LIVING/CHILDREN'S PROGRAM COUNSELOR - 48006369
State of Florida, Florida, New York, United States
INDEPENDENT LIVING/CHILDREN’S PROGRAM COUNSELOR (OPS)
Location: District 9 / Ft. Myers or Palmetto (Lee or Manatee County)
Salary: $21.63 to $23.80 per hour
APPLICATION INFORMATION & HIRING REQUIREMENTS Your Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
Work History (in easy to review chronological order) consists of:
Any position held by a State of Florida Agency
Any position held by a Florida University
All periods of employment from high school graduation
All periods of current or prior unemployment
Gaps 3 months or more must be accounted for
Any Education
Any Volunteer Experience
Your resume and application must match
It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.
Include supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contact information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment.
Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre‑qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
OFFICE CONTACT Leigh Ann Bellamy, District Administrator
Phone: 239-278‑7130
JOB DESCRIPTION This position is located in the Division of Blind Services, in the District 9 Office. The incumbent will 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, coordinate with public school vision programs and parent groups, and 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 solving, and utilization of available resources.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: The omission of specific job duties does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.)
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. The performance and behavior of all employees must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit. Attendance is an essential function.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES
Performs other duties as requested.
Some travel is required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, indicating 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 Preference will be given to candidates with:
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.
DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES MISSION STATEMENT The Division of Blind Services ensures blind and visually impaired Floridians have the tools, support and opportunities to achieve success. In partnership with others, we create a barrier‑free environment in the lives of Floridians with visual disabilities. The Florida Division of Blind Services helps blind and visually impaired individuals achieve their goals and live their lives with as much independence and self‑direction as possible. The Division serves thousands of Floridians through its plethora of programs and services. District and satellite offices are located throughout the state, as well as the Career, Technology and Training Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CTTC), and the Braille and Talking Books Library. The Division of Blind Services has become a national model in education, employment and other services that foster independence for blind and visually impaired Floridians.
BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct the required verifications. No applicant for a designated position will be employed, contracted 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 all purposes and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local criminal records checks through local law enforcement.
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (SSS) AND REQUIREMENT Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.
For more information, please visit the Selective Service website.
If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562‑7287.
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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Salary: $21.63 to $23.80 per hour
APPLICATION INFORMATION & HIRING REQUIREMENTS Your Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
Work History (in easy to review chronological order) consists of:
Any position held by a State of Florida Agency
Any position held by a Florida University
All periods of employment from high school graduation
All periods of current or prior unemployment
Gaps 3 months or more must be accounted for
Any Education
Any Volunteer Experience
Your resume and application must match
It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.
Include supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contact information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment.
Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre‑qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
OFFICE CONTACT Leigh Ann Bellamy, District Administrator
Phone: 239-278‑7130
JOB DESCRIPTION This position is located in the Division of Blind Services, in the District 9 Office. The incumbent will 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, coordinate with public school vision programs and parent groups, and 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 solving, and utilization of available resources.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES (Note: The omission of specific job duties does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.)
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. The performance and behavior of all employees must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit. Attendance is an essential function.
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES
Performs other duties as requested.
Some travel is required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, indicating 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 Preference will be given to candidates with:
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.
DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES MISSION STATEMENT The Division of Blind Services ensures blind and visually impaired Floridians have the tools, support and opportunities to achieve success. In partnership with others, we create a barrier‑free environment in the lives of Floridians with visual disabilities. The Florida Division of Blind Services helps blind and visually impaired individuals achieve their goals and live their lives with as much independence and self‑direction as possible. The Division serves thousands of Floridians through its plethora of programs and services. District and satellite offices are located throughout the state, as well as the Career, Technology and Training Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CTTC), and the Braille and Talking Books Library. The Division of Blind Services has become a national model in education, employment and other services that foster independence for blind and visually impaired Floridians.
BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct the required verifications. No applicant for a designated position will be employed, contracted 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 all purposes and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local criminal records checks through local law enforcement.
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (SSS) AND REQUIREMENT Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.
For more information, please visit the Selective Service website.
If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562‑7287.
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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