SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 67055967 APD/ DDDP CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL

Requisition No: 868303 

Agency: Agency for Persons with Disabilities

Working Title: SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM SPECIALIST - 67055967 APD/ DDDP CHATTAHOOCHEE, FL

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 67055967 

Salary:  $45,000.00- $57,000.00 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 01/30/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

AGENCY FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

 POSITION: Senior Human Services Program Specialist- Career Service

POSITION NUMBER: 67055967

OPEN COMPETITIVE OPPORTUNITY

SALARY RANGE: $45,000.00- $57,000.00 Annually

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

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.

Program Overview

The Developmental Disabilities Defendant Program operates on the campus of Florida State Hospital in Chattahoochee and at Pathways 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 supports that will prepare them for success in their future environments.

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

Position Summary

Duties of a Senior Human Services Program Specialist include:

This is a specialized social work position responsible for the provision of social services to residents with developmental disabilities in a secure setting.  This includes residents with forensic histories, dual diagnosis and/or disruptive or violent behaviors.  An employee in this position works as a part of an interdisciplinary team to accomplish assigned responsibilities.

Complete Data entry associated with RIMS program including adding new admits updating demographic information

Complete Data Entry Associated with iConnect to include:

•     Adding new residents as requested

•     Inputting new orders

•     Reviewing Eligibility information to report eligibility status of Residents

Facilitate all on campus hearings for DDDP and Pathways

Maintain the eligibility spreadsheet for 393. 11

•     Maintain contact with and assist 393.11 Support Coordinator and assist with obtaining Eligibility information, birth certificate, and Social Security cards for all 393.11 residents

•     Email Eligibility spreadsheet to Social Services Director monthly.

•     Ensure all problems with obtaining eligibility Information is reported to the Social Services Counselor immediately.

Serve as back up for Social Services Director and Support Coordinator vacancies and absences at DDDP and Pathways. Coordinates the discharge process including but not limited to completion of placement referrals and coordinating outside contacts.

Assist in developing a new Social Services Audit Tool and Assist with completing chart audits with staff.

Assist in attending Support Plan meetings to monitor the support plan process.

Assist in providing new employee training and ongoing training Social Services Counselors on policies and procedures

Review and update the visitation spreadsheet in SharePoint, Schedule visitation for the residents of DDDP.  Email information to required parties weekly

Assist in creating a Social Services Manual outlining Social Services Policy and procedures for use by Social Services Counselors at DDDP/ Pathways.

May be assigned a caseload and assist in the development and implementation of psychosocial/developmental goals for clients to improve their social interaction skills. Manage shopping for residents.

Maintain the role of advocate for both client and family.  Assist them in legal matters such as guardianship, consent issues, etc.  Attend competency and other court proceedings involving the client. Coordinate with regional forensic liaisons when residents are being returned to court for disposition of their case. 

Completes all required training. Maintain Crisis Management certification as required.

What We 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.  

Pathways is a 34-bed all male 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.  Pathways 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.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

•           Knowledge of theories and practices in counseling or social work.

•           Knowledge of professional ethics relating to counseling or social work.

•           Knowledge of interviewing techniques.

•           Ability to provide counseling or social work services to others.

•           Ability to coordinate a team approach to the rehabilitation process.

•           Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

•           Ability to actively listen to others.

•           Ability to communicate effectively.

•           Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Minimum Qualifications

• A valid driver’s license.
• Must have at least (4) years of professional experience with developmental disabilities, special education, mental health, counseling, guidance, social work, program planning, and health or rehabilitative programs. A bachelor’s degree or higher may be considered for the required experience.
• Compassion for vulnerable and developmentally disabled individuals.

Additional Information

Our campus and facilities are tobacco-free.

 WORK SCHEDULE

8:00AM – 4:30PM Eastern Standard Time Monday through Friday

This position is located at a 24-hour facility. 

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.