RESIDENTIAL UNIT SPECIALIST-Forensic - 67072338 APD/ DDDP CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL

Requisition No: 834726 

Agency: Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Working Title: RESIDENTIAL UNIT SPECIALIST-Forensic - 67072338 APD/ DDDP CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 67072338 

Salary:  $1,344.00- $1,597.82 Biweekly 

Posting Closing Date: 02/02/2025 

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AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 POSITION: Residential Unit Specialist F/C, Career Service

POSITION NUMBER: 67072338

OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

SALARY RANGE: $1,344.00- $1,597.82 Biweekly

This posting may close before the posted closing date.

CANDIDATE POOL: Future vacancies may be filled from this advertisement for a period of up to six months.

CONTINUOUS ADVERTISEMENT- Advertisement will fill vacancies on all shifts.

Second and third shifts are paid $1.00 hour shift differential.

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for eligible employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits, including:

• 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 (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com).
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Tuition waivers.
• And more! For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
• Paid Maternity and Parental Leave.
• https://compcalculator.myflorida.com/

The Agency seeks team members who demonstrate the qualities of being humble, hungry, and smart and lead others to embody the same. This entails lacking excessive ego, sharing credit, being self-motivated, and exercising good judgment and intuition regarding the subtleties of group dynamics. 

This position with APD will serve staff and management across the Agency. Your work will impact the workplace culture, our community, and the population we serve as we continuously strive to achieve the Agency’s mission.

*Responses to the qualifying questions are required and must be verifiable based on your submitted application.

Program Overview

The Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program operates on the campus of Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee and at Sunland in Marianna under the auspices of The State of Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD). The Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program (DDDP) is dedicated to empowering persons with developmental disabilities charged with a felony crime to:

1.         Acquire the skills and support that will prepare them for success in their future environments.

2.         Acquire the skills needed to become competent to stand trial.

Position Summary

Responsible for the custody, personal care, safety, security, and well-being of residents ordered by the Court to the custody of the Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program.  Functions as a role model for residents to reinforce the behavioral and social skills required to be successful in integrating into community and/or residential environments.

Implements and deploys Behavioral Programs designed for each resident in an appropriate, fair and impartial manner.  This includes but is not limited to adhering to all policies/protocols, maintaining ongoing updates of all program changes, and collecting and recording required data in a timely and accurate manner.

Ensures that all activities associated with the resident are documented in chronological order in accordance with agency protocol, with all relevant facts which includes, who, what, when where and why.  Immediately notify supervisor of any issues associated with the resident which are unusual and/or may require additional follow-up and investigation.  Files associated documents in the appropriate resident chart.

Performs monitoring specials (ex: 1:1, CVO, etc) in accordance with agency protocols, ensures that appropriate and required documentation is completed in a timely and accurate manner and works with individual residents as assigned or required.

Confers with unit supervisors concerning behavioral problems of residents and assists in planning corrective measures.

Cooperates with the supervisors of wards or units ensuring that the developmentally disabled are being adequately cared for and are receiving prescribed care and training.

Makes regular and frequent rounds of assigned wards or units giving attention to resource intensive area and emergency situations.

Notifies supervisor or management staff of facilities issues and equipment needing repair, requests supplies for unit or ward.

Completes all required training. Maintain agency approved crisis prevention and intervention program certification as required.

Maintain timesheet, ensuring accuracy and submit timely in accordance with policy and procedure.

Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Knowledge of appropriate business practices and protocols used in the treatment of developmentally disabled persons.
• Ability to assist professionals in implementing prescribed treatment and rehabilitation programs.
• Ability to observe residents and identify and document changes and/or unusual events which could result in safety and well-being issues.
• Ability to maintain and update resident records and charts.
• Ability to work in a team environment and establish and maintain effective working relationships with residents and staff.
• Ability to effectively and timely communicate and interact with residents and staff.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to maintain the required agency approved crisis prevention and intervention program certification.  
• Ability to ensure that developmentally disabled residents are being adequately cared for and receiving prescribed treatment.

•  Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to identify and give attention to understaffed wards or units and emergency situations.
• Ability to lift up to 40 pounds.

The Work You Will Do 

DDDP is a forensic facility working with individuals with disabilities in a secure setting.  These individuals have been adjudicated by the courts as incompetent to proceed to trial and have significant behavioral and psychiatric issues.  DDDP provides rehabilitative, vocational, and daily living skills training to the individuals served which allows for a smooth transition back into a non-secure residential or community setting. 

Minimum Qualifications

•           A valid driver’s license. License suspended or revoked for any reason, work permits (Business purpose/ Employment/Education only license) and some types of restricted license are not acceptable. Licenses that have “Corrective Lenses Restricted,” are acceptable, provided the driver wears the corrective lenses while operating the vehicle.

Other job-related requirements for this position:

• Certification in the agency approved crisis prevention and intervention program at the advanced level is required unless the incumbent requests reasonable accommodation supported by an annual medical certification.  Incumbent is required to submit to pre-employment TB screening and on an annual on-going basis as prescribed by DDDP.
• Maintain confidentiality of employee and/or resident information.  This specific standard is mission critical as the Agency is entrusted with information about employees and residents which is protected by HIPAA and other federal and state laws.  The Agency’s ability to maintain and protect confidential information has a direct relationship to our ability to gain and maintain the public’s trust.
• Based on the duties and essential functions of this position, incumbents will be required to spend a minimum of 75% of work time performing duties which involves direct contact with residents in a secure forensic facility.  This position requires lifting, pulling and squatting.

•           To support the goal of establishing APD as the most sought-after place to work in Florida, the employee will create an environment that cultivates people and transforms teams by increasing transparency and providing opportunities for professional development. The employee actively works to demonstrate the qualities of being humble, hungry, and smart and leads others to embody the same. The team member lacks excessive ego, shares credit, is self-motivating and exercises good judgement and intuition around the subtitles of group dynamics.

Additional Information

We are dedicated to empowering persons with developmental disabilities charged with a felony crime to acquire the skills needed to become competent to stand trial, and to acquire the skills and supports that will prepare them for success in their future environments.

•           Maintain confidentiality of employee and/or resident information. This specific standard is mission critical as the Agency is entrusted with information about employees and residents which is protected by HIPAA and other federal and state laws. The Agency’s ability to maintain and protect confidential information has a direct relationship to our ability to gain and maintain the public’s trust.

Recruiting Contact:      

Jodi NeSmith      

Recruitment Manager- Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program & Pathways  

Agency for Persons with Disabilities      

Telephone: (850) 793-7075

Email: jodi.nesmith@apdcares.org

Profile Completion

Applicants must complete all fields in the Candidate Profile, including their work history within the month and year, to qualify for this position. 

Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile, and “see resume” will not be considered an acceptable response.

Resumes and other documentation can be attached to provide additional information, but this will not replace the required completed Candidate Profile.

Retiree Notice

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you will be required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

Direct Deposit Program

As a condition of employment, a person appointed to a position in the State Personnel System is required to participate in the Direct Deposit Program.  Rather than receiving a paper paycheck, your funds will be deposited directly into your account at your financial institution. This will be accomplished by Electronic Funds Transfer. Banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions are eligible to accept such deposits. Retirement funds are also required to be in the Direct Deposit Program.

Background Screening Requirement

It is the policy of the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities 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.

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 Agency.
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.

Pursuant to S. 110.1127(1), Florida Statutes, this position requires a background investigation, including fingerprinting.

APD only hires U.S. citizens, and those lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. APD participates in the U.S. government’s employment eligibility verification program (E-verify). E-verify is a program that electronically confirms an employee’s eligibility to work in the U.S. after completing the employment eligibility verification form (I-9).

All applicants should complete the online application process.  If assistance is needed to apply for this position, please call the people first service center at 1-877-562-7287. 

Responses to the qualifying questions are required to be considered for this position. Answers to the qualifying questions must be verifiable based on your submitted application.

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.