SENIOR REHABILITATION SPECIALIST-BLIND - 48007102 (BLIND SERVICES)

Requisition No: 826187 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: SENIOR REHABILITATION SPECIALIST-BLIND - 48007102 (BLIND SERVICES)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48007102 

Salary:  $34,288.60 to $40,351.04 

Posting Closing Date: 06/30/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES
LOCATION:   DAYTONA BEACH (VOLUSIA COUNTY)

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A LEVEL 2 BACKGROUND SCREENING IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.

CANDIDATES ARE TYPICALLY HIRED AT THE MINIMUM SALARY.

ALL EMPLOYMENT GAPS MUST BE EXPLAINED AND INCLUDED WITH WORK HISTORY WHEN APPLYING.

THIS IS A STATE OF FLORIDA CAREER SERVICE (CS) OPPORTUNITY. 

Job Description:

This position functions as a case manager for assigned students attending the Career, Technology, and Training Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CTTC) in Daytona Beach. As a case manager, the incumbent will be responsible for providing adjustments to blindness counseling and vocational rehabilitation counseling services, developing plans for acquiring independent living skills and/or identifying and pursuing an appropriate vocational goal and recommending ancillary services. The incumbent will be expected to model, demonstrate and guide other employees in the use of the principals of flexibility, adaptability and approachability – while adhering to applicable laws, rules, policies and procedures.

Examples of Work:

• The employee must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance expectations - sometimes under stressful conditions.
• The employee must interact courteously with others.
• The employee must promote and demonstrate a positive work environment at all times.
• 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.
• Attendance is an essential function of this position.
• The employee will demonstrate accountability and support towards the goals of the agency leadership and communicate the same to other employees. This includes support to the Director, Deputy Director and DBS leadership on all program related actions and activities, and as otherwise directed.
• Provide adjustments to blindness counseling and vocational rehabilitation counseling services to include guidance and counseling, interpreting medical reports and evaluating data. 
• Assist students in the development of plans for acquiring independent living skills and identifying and/or pursuing an appropriate vocational goal. 
• Conduct and/or participate in weekly seminars on adjustment to blindness.
• Follow through on arrangements for recommended ancillary services; i.e. drug counseling, alcoholism, and psychological counseling, etc. 
• Maintain up-to-date client contact reports. 
• Schedule and conduct ICP, Monthly and Exit Staffing’s. 
• Contact referring counselor to schedule participation in Staffing’s. 
• Produce reports for Staffing of each assigned client.
• Conduct orientation class for each new class of students. 
• Maintain communication with assigned student's referring counselor and family (with proper consent) to provide information regarding training status and encourage participation in the rehabilitation process.  
• Assist in public education and relations to include speaking engagements, participation in community and professional organizations and providing tours to CTTC visitors. 
• Assist in the coordination of medical services; serve as a liaison to other agencies serving the client to include psychological services. 
• Collect, review and disseminate relevant information from outside consultations and respond to emergency mental health needs of students. 
• Provide consultation and assistance related to vocational evaluation, situational assessment and career counseling issues.
• Make recommendations to supervisor and CTTC counseling staff for appropriate career assessment strategies including vocational evaluation, situational assessment and career counseling for inclusion in client’s Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE).
• Train CTTC staff in aspects of career counseling and exploration for the visually impaired.
• Assist associates in the identification and analysis of assessment tools and career information that can be adapted for persons who are blind or visually impaired.
• Upon request, evaluate qualifications of consultants in vocational evaluation techniques for the visually impaired and train consultants in DBS policies and procedures.
• Assess the appropriateness and effectiveness of techniques and career assessment/exploration tools for center staff and consultants.
• Evaluate new and/or updated career exploration and vocational evaluation tools as they become available.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in a social, behavioral or rehabilitative science, education or visual disabilities and two years of professional experience involving direct services to rehabilitation clients.
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course of study in one of the above areas can substitute for one year of the required experience.
• Professional or nonprofessional experience as described above can substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required college education.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the theories and practices in vocational rehabilitation guidance and counseling.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disability groups.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective communication.
• Knowledge of employment resources and vocational rehabilitation resources.
• Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data.
• Knowledge of the principles, methods and techniques of teaching the visually disabled.
• Knowledge of technological devices for visually impaired persons.
• Ability to compile, organize and analyze results.
• Ability to provide counseling and guidance in the area of career planning.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to review medical, social and psychological records of the visually impaired and to make recommendations for further examinations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

To be considered for a position with the Division of Blind Services:

• All fields in the candidate profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.
• All previous periods of employment must be listed and accounted for. Periods of employment should be entered with the most recent/current listed first. 
• Periods of employment should include the supervisor's name and contact information. 
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.  Gaps of employment of 3 months or more must be addressed on the application. 
• Work history, hours worked, and formal education fields must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position. Putting "see resume" does not substitute for completing all sections of the candidate profile.
• Responses to qualifying questions must be verifiable in the candidate profile. Not all applicants will be interviewed. Preference will be given for qualifying veterans, employees in layoff status and qualified candidates based on a review of their overall scores, KSAs, primary and supplemental applications, as well as completion of any required work samples, willingness questionnaires, and behavioral/personality/skills tests, and interview responses, as applicable. References and file reviews from previous employment will be verified to determine suitability.
• Resumes and other documentation can be attached to provide additional information.
• Individuals lacking the ability to competently do the job and those who are unable to positively contribute to a productive team environment, need not apply.
• The successful candidate must be able to pass a Level II Background screening.
• If you are claiming Veteran's Preference, you must attach the correct supporting documentation to be considered (DD214). 
• If you are claiming Right to First Interview, you must attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying to be considered. 

The Florida Division of Blind Services is committed to 

increasing recruitment and hiring of Veterans and Individuals with disabilities and 

improving employment outcomes. 

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.