STATE VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR/ANALYST - 48004334 1

Requisition No: 812154 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: STATE VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR/ANALYST - 48004334 1

Position Number: 48004334 

Salary:  $3,564.73 Monthly 

Posting Closing Date: 12/31/2023 

DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION

48004334

AREA 2/Gainesville/UNIT 08A
(State Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor/Analyst)

(Vacancy)

 This Advertisement may be used to fill current and future vacancies for up to 6 months

 (This position typically hired at the pre-broadband salary minimum of $3,564.73 per month ($42,776.81 annually).

 This position works in Gainesville, FL

 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 requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or 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.

SALARY AND PREFERENCE

This position typically is hired at the pre-broadband salary minimum of $3,564.73 per month ($42,776.81 annually). The salary may be negotiable dependent upon years of experience, education level and available salary rate.

Preferred persons with rehabilitation counselor certification (CRC) or who are eligible to sit for the certification exam within one year of hire date. Information concerning the certification process can be found at www.crccertification.com.

A applicant possessing a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification or national credentials in interpreting for individuals with hearing loss, shall receive a one-time $3,000 base pay increase added to the recommended salary upon appointment, subject to availability of dollars and salary rate.

DESCRIPTION

(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.)

This position is responsible for providing independent, professional vocational rehabilitation consultation to private providers for the provision and coordination of complex services in order that individuals with diverse disabilities may attain or maintain employment.

Develops resources and implements special projects to expedite and expand services.

This position:

• The employee 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.
• The 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.
• Provides consultation and serves as a liaison with private providers in providing counseling, job placement opportunities, guidance and career planning for individual with diverse disabilities who require complex rehabilitation strategies.
• Facilitates and evaluates casework to ensure that private providers work with eligible individuals in the public/private partnership to attain quality employment outcomes. Evaluates and ensures that individuals are permitted to exercise informed choice throughout the rehabilitation process.
• Provides information and suggested revisions impacting service delivery policy.
• Ensures the accuracy of case work completed by the private provider.  Completes eligibility determinations. Reviews, approves and signs Individualized Plan for Employment, designated reviews and case closures made by private providers.
• Monitors to assure the appropriate use of available resources.  Responsible for approving and providing signature authority on all client services authorizations prepared by the private provider. Manages resources and/or provides technical assistance for financial accountability in accordance with state and federal regulations and policies.
• Accesses and updates automated client information, maintains records, produces correspondence and performs other automated functions within the scope of the position's responsibilities.
• Provides technical assistance to private providers’ associates to enhance the understanding of policies and procedures in the vocational rehabilitation process. Recommends training experiences to enhance professional competencies and practices.
• Prepares reports regarding quantity, quality and timeliness of services based on case reviews and automated client information.
• Performs related duties as required.
• Attendance is an essential function of this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

           Positions are required, as a general rule, to meet the Minimum Qualifications.
 

• A master's degree from an accredited college or university in a social, behavioral or rehabilitative science or education program.
  
  Preferred or Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification or Eligible to become a certified Rehabilitation Counselor as determined by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
  
  At the time of application, if the applicant is certified he/she must provide a valid Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Certificate or produce a letter of eligibility to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam, issued within a year of application for employment.

           CRC Certification

• Certified as a Rehabilitation Counselor from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification, or
• Eligible to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor as determined by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification

           At the time of application, the applicant must provide a valid Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Certificate or produce a letter of eligibility to take the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor Exam, issued within a year of application for employment.

           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
• social work
• 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 3 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 a small business owner or operator
• direct experience as an employer
• 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
• law
• social work
• psychology
• disability studies
• business administration
• human resources
• special education
• management
• public administration
• another field that reasonably provides confidence in:

• the employment sector
• in a disability field
• or in both business-related and rehabilitation-related fields

           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.

            Advanced 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

          Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

          Knowledge of:

• the theories and practices of vocational rehabilitation counseling

• interviewing techniques
• medical and psychological aspects of disability groups
• the principles and techniques of effective communication
• employment resources
• vocational rehabilitation resources
• methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data
• case work principles, practices, and techniques
• the professional ethics relating to vocational rehabilitation counseling
• the vocational rehabilitation process as it relates to the purchase of services for clientele

           Ability to:

• interview clients in order to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services
• compile, organize and analyze medical, vocational, and psychological data
• provide counseling and guidance in the area of career planning
• assess test results
• administer tests and analyze results
• develop individualized plans for employment (IPE's) for severely disabled clients
• place clients in appropriate vocations
• plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• utilize problem-solving techniques
• understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures
• assess training needs and develop and conduct training programs
• develop and review programs and their effectiveness and to recommend policy and procedural changes.
• understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• communicate effectively.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

          Preference may be given to candidates:

• With a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling
• Have current CRC certification
• Fluent Bilingual skills in English and Spanish.
• Public or private Vocational Rehabilitation counseling experience

• EXAMPLES OF WORK
  Reviews all information submitted by the private provider as documented in the customer's case record. Information may include psycho/social background medical/psychological/psychiatric records, work history and work barriers, educational background and referral service information.

• Documents that eligibility determination is in accordance with established Federal/State regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Assures that all employment barriers are addressed, as identified in the comprehensive assessment.
• Determines if the planned employment outcome goal is consistent with the customer's strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and informed choice.
• Ensures that planned services are necessary to achieve the employment outcome.
• Ensures that comparable services and benefits are considered and utilization is documented in the IPE.
• Determines that appropriate documentation exists to support that informed choice has been exercised in the development of the individualized plans for employment and throughout the rehabilitation process.
• Approves authorization for payment after ensuring that the private service provider has provided the appropriate documentation.
• Determines if information is sufficient to allow for successful or unsuccessful closure of the case record.
• Ensures that established federal/state regulations, policies and procedures are followed for dispute resolution and review of determinations of counselor decisions.
• Provides technical assistance to other state vocational rehabilitation counselors and private provider counselors to facilitate the implementation of casework strategies.
• Provides all case management activities including guidance and counseling in career planning to eligible customers requiring complex rehabilitation strategies.

EXAMPLES OF JOB CHARACTERISTICS

EXAMPLES OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

 
(Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) identified in this class specification represent those needed to perform the duties of this class. Additional knowledge, skills and abilities may be applicable for individual positions in the employing agency.)
 
Knowledge of:

• theories and practices of vocational rehabilitation counseling.
• case work principles, practices and techniques.
• professional ethics relating to vocational rehabilitation services for clientele.
• vocational rehabilitation process as it relates to the purchase of services for clientele.

Ability to: 

• assess training needs and develop and conduct training programs.
• utilize problem-solving techniques.
• develop individualized plans for employment (IPE's) for individuals with severe disabilities with limited resources.
• develop and review programs and their effectiveness and to recommend policy and procedural changes.
• understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• communicate effectively.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. 

 
BENEFITS INFORMATION 

• State of Florida Retirement package – 3% employee contribution required
• 10 Paid Holidays annually
• 104 Hours of Paid Annual Leave annually
• 104 Hours of Paid Sick Leave annually
• Health Insurance for Individual or Family Coverage – State pays 80% of premium
• Life Insurance – State pays 80% of premium
• Additional supplemental insurances available such as dental, vision, etc.
• Tax Deferred Medical and Child Care Reimbursement Accounts available
• Tax Deferred Savings Program available through payroll deduction

 
Benefits information can be found on the following websites:
 
http://dms.myflorida.com/human_resource_support/human_resource_management/for_job_applicants#Benefits
 
Insurance Benefits: http://www.myflorida.com/MyBenefits
 
Deferred Compensation:
https://www.myfloridadeferredcomp.com/SOFweb/index.htm
 
Pretax Benefits:
http://dms.myflorida.com/human_resource_support/state_group_insurance/dsgi_webcenter/active_employee_webcenter/reimbursement_accounts
 
Retirement Benefits:
http://dms.myflorida.com/human_resource_support/retirement

  
LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION OR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

EFFECTIVE: 12/10/2003

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.