HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR III - 60022115

Requisition No: 859720 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR III - 60022115

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60022115 

Salary:  AGENCY TO UPDATE 

Posting Closing Date: 09/05/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

CLASS TITLE: HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR III

Job Title: HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR III - 60022115

ALLOCATION FACTOR(S)

This is work providing case management, guidance, and counseling to the elderly; guidance and counseling to the more acute mentally deficient, emotionally disturbed, and/or indigent clients and their families; counseling in the drug abuse program in a correctional institution or a county health department; or providing counseling and support services to victims of crimes.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

(Note: The examples of work as listed in this class specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position. Examples of work performed are not to be used for allocation purposes.)

• Provides or arranges for services, as necessary, to maintain the client in the least restrictive residential setting.
• Serves as team leader in jointly staffed cases.
• Completes detailed client assessments and service plans on each client and provides or arranges for all services identified in the service plan.
• Visits clients regularly, documenting observations and revisiting client assessments and service plans, as necessary, and monitoring the provision of services.
• Counsels with clients, care givers, and/or significant others in terms of available services, adjustment problems, and/or major changes/transitions in life situations.
• Provides counseling and guidance services to the more difficult cases.
• Counsels families and guardians of residents and patients in adjustment problems and pre-release activities.
• Participates in team diagnostic and technical staff conferences.
• Implements, coordinates, and conducts a drug abuse counseling program at a correctional institution.
• Serves as a member of the institution classification team of inmates participating in the drug abuse program.
• Provides court related victim/witness services such as accompanying the victims to trial.
• Explains the criminal justice process to victims.
• Reviews incident/offense reports on a daily basis and assesses the needs and makes recommendations for community resources.
• Serves as a liaison between the victim and Florida Highway Patrol, courts, social service organizations, the State Attorney's Office, the Florida Network of Victim/Witness Services and the National Organization of Victim Assistance.
• Provides liaison with the institutional medical staff for referral of inmates in the drug abuse program for appropriate medical treatment.
• Writes social history reports and assessments on new mental health program clients.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

(Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) 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 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.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system and the court process.
• Knowledge of Victims' Assistance Programs.
• Knowledge of Florida Statutes of victims' rights.
• 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

• An associate’s degree or minimum of 60 semester hours and two years of professional experience in  education, mental health, counseling, guidance, social work, health or rehabilitative programs; or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;
• Professional experience as described above can substitue on a year-for-year basis for the required college education;

• A valid Driver License; and
• Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected applicants are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and documentation of the appropriate insurance coverage.

BENEFITS

• Annual and Sick Leave Package
• Ten Paid Holidays
• Health, Dental, Disability, Life Insurance and Optional Supplemental Insurance
• Educational Benefits (tuition waiver)
• Contributory Retirement Plan
• Deferred Compensation plans offered
• Bi-annual vehicle insurance stipend

SPECIAL NOTE:

• State of Florida Employment Applications should be up-to-date and complete in order to receive full consideration. Some Agency positions may require successful completion of pre-interview assessment or a work sample prior to interview. 
• Ability to speak/read/write Spanish/Creole/French or other foreign language may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency need at time of interview.

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.  No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.  Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

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.