HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM CONSULTANT I - 48007026

Requisition No: 879276 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAM CONSULTANT I - 48007026

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48007026 

Salary:  $42,200.00 to $46,420.00 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 07/27/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Education

Division of Blind Services

Bureau of Client Services and Program Support

Location: District 12/Miami, FL (Miami-Dade County)

Position Title: Human Services Program Consultant I (CS)

Salary Range: $42,200.00 to $46,420.00 Annually

CANDIDATES ARE TYPICALLY HIRED AT THE MINIMUM SALARY

This advertisement may be used to fill multiple vacancies up to six months.

**THIS IS AN ANTICIPATED VACANCY**

APPLICATION INFORMATION & HIRING REQUIREMENTS:

Application Information:

• Your Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
• Work History (in easy to review chronological order) Consists of:
  • Any position held by a State of Florida Agency
  • Any position held by a Florida University
  • All periods of employment from high school graduation
  • All periods of current or prior unemployment
  • Gaps 3 months or more must be accounted for*
  • Any Education
  • Any Volunteer Experience
  • Your resume and application must match
• *Gaps 3 months or more must be addressed – you will need to account for and explain any gaps in employment including unemployment. You can either list these in your application under Period of Employment or attach a word document listing your gaps.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history. Your candidate profile will be converted to your official application.
• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contact information for your Human Resources office to verify current or former employment.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.  

Hiring Information and Requirements:

• The Bureau of Personnel Management reviews every application for prior State of Florida and Florida University work history in the People First system.
• If claiming Veteran’s Preference, the candidate MUST attach supporting documentation such as the DD214 and your VA Letter that reflects level of disability if applicable. Applicable to career service positions only.
• If claiming Right to First Interview, the candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. Applicable to career service positions only.

If you are missing any of the items above, your packet may be held up at the final review step.

NOTE: Responses to qualifying questions must be clearly supported by the state application and any omission, falsification, or misrepresentation in the answering of the qualifying questions will be cause for immediate elimination from the selection process.

OFFICE CONTACT:

Pamela Vinson, District Administrator: (786) 998-3181

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This position is in the Division of Blind Services, District 12 Office in Miami. This position serves as an Employment Placement Specialist which is responsible for providing direct job development and placement services for blind and visually impaired consumers of the Division of Blind Services. The incumbent in this position develops and provides job opportunities for eligible individuals by deploying marketing and job development techniques. The incumbent makes contact and meets with employers for the purpose of identifying prospective job opportunities. The incumbent will provide job coaching and other support services to obtain competitive employment.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

(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.)

The Florida Department of Education (FDOE) has an open position that is responsible for executing the following functions:

• Provide and document required employer and client contacts while implementing and coordinating services in accordance with timeframes, policies, and procedures specified in the case service manual.
• Work cooperatively with the employment team which is comprised of DBS staff, community providers, CareerSource locations, and other core and required workforce partners to develop referrals and coordinate services.
• Provide community education, outreach, guidance, and training about blindness and document those activities in an activity log.
• Coordinate with the other Human Services Program Consultants to secure Orientation & Mobility training to, from, and at the jobsite.
• Serve as a liaison between employer and Rehabilitation Engineer.
• Coordinate and work with other workforce partners for the expansion of job placement and work-based learning opportunities for Blind and visually impaired consumers.
• Participate in the development and revisions of a comprehensive state plan to improve/increase outreach to under-served populations and employers regarding the services provided by DBS that support employment and training for people with disabilities.
• Model and demonstrate the principles of flexibility, adaptability, and approachability - while adhering to applicable laws, rules, policies, and procedures.
• Exhibit effective communication, collaboration, and cooperation.
• Meet regularly with job-ready clients to share job leads and other strategies related to Job Placement, as needed.
• Seek and promote competitive integrated employment in the community as the first and preferred option for blind and visually impaired individuals under the Employment First Initiative.
• Ensure that services are expedited to applicants and clients with actual job offers and those who are at risk of losing employment.
• Understand and translate knowledge of transferable work skills to assist clients in obtaining successful employment outcomes.  
• Maintain and utilize a curriculum to provide training/education and technical assistance to employers who hire individuals with visual impairments.
• Conduct outreach activities to increase on-the-job training, apprenticeships, work-based learning, and employment opportunities and assist client access to and participation in such activities.
• Coordinate necessary services such as Work Experience, On the Job Training, Assistive Technology Assessments, and setup.  
• Conduct job prospecting and development techniques to capitalize employment leads.
• Promote awareness of assistive technology and other disability accommodations. Assist employers, trainers, job coaches, and other facilities or sites when requested with making adaptations and or modifications for clients on the jobsite.
• Assist clients with completing resumes, employment applications, cover letters, thank you notes to employer, etc.
• Transport clients to job fairs, job interviews, and jobsites (first few days of employment, until transportation is in place) as needed.
• Function as an educator/mentor/job coach and encourage clients to develop self-advocacy skills. 
• Utilize understanding of the Ticket to Work program to assist “ticket holders” in their efforts to find or retain employment for self-sufficiency.
• Conduct follow-up calls with clients and employers within 90 days of employment start date, as well as at the 180-day and employment anniversary to determine further services and possible job opportunities for other clients.
• Work with counselor and district leadership to ensure additional services are coordinated.
• Monitor and report information to leadership about the provision and need of further services to ensure clients have the functional and independent living skills necessary to achieve their vocational goal.
• Provide feedback to the Human Services Program Consultants and the Assistant District Administrator regarding clients' performance and needs. 
• Assist in meeting district level performance goals with a focus on business improvement and development for successful employment outcomes.
• Evaluate employer needs and the necessary accommodations to ensure/facilitate a successful employment outcome.
• Develop, maintain, and improve techniques for caseload management, utilizing the electronic client information system (AWARE) to input and gather accurate data and produce reports.
• Understand various eye conditions and their impact on functional vision and convey this information in employment settings.
• Understand the rehabilitation process and abilities, strengths, and capabilities of people who are blind or visually impaired.
• Maintain knowledge of various job markets and increase client utilization of online job systems such as EmployFlorida, O*NET, Talent Acquisition Portal (TAP), The Career Index Plus (TCI+) and other resources to find open positions commensurate with their skills.
• Participate in statewide program training.
• Performs other duties as requested.
• Some travel is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of state and federal regulations, job development and marketing along with skills in sales.
• Familiarity with Vocational Rehabilitation processes and procedures.
• Proficient in word processing and data entry.
• Knowledge of theories and practices of rehabilitation employment placement methods.
• Ability to identify and resolve employment barriers that exist in Florida's industry to the blind and visually impaired.
• Ability to provide customer advocacy and mediation when necessary.
• Ability to participate in public speaking engagements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three (3) to five (5) years of professional and relevant experience in a public vocational rehabilitation program.
• Ability to maintain a clear driving history.
• Ability to maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation.
• An ability to establish and maintain education and experience requirements to ensure an understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

EDUCATIONAL SUBSITITUIONS:

SB 1310: Substitution of Work Experience for Postsecondary Education Requirements.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation.

Related work experience may not substitute for any licensure, certification, or registration required by an agency and indicated in the advertised job description. 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

The ideal incumbent must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities, and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions. The incumbent must interact courteously with others. The performance and behavior of all employees 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.

DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES MISSION STATEMENT: 

The Division of Blind Services ensure blind and visually impaired Floridians have the tools, support and opportunities to achieve success. In partnership with others, we create a barrier-free environment in the lives of Floridians with visual disabilities. The Florida Division of Blind Services helps blind and visually impaired individuals achieve their goals and live their lives with as much independence and self-direction as possible. The Division serves thousands of Floridians through its plethora of programs and services. District and Satellite Offices located throughout the state, as well as the Career, Technology and Training Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CTTC), and the Braille and Talking Books Library. The Division of Blind Servies has become a national model in education, employment and other services that foster independence for blind and visually impaired Floridians.

FLDOE: Division of Blind Services

Working for the State of Florida has Benefits! 

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Leave Information: (CS)

• Annual Leave - All full-time Career Service employees filling established positions earn annual leave in varying increments dependent upon years of creditable service. Employees with up to 5 years of creditable service earn 8.667 hours per month, with 5 to 10 years earn 10.833 hours per month and those with over 10 years of service earn 13 hours per month. Employees in Senior Management Service and Selected Exempt Service positions are credited with 176 hours of annual leave upon appointment. In subsequent years, the annual allotment is credited on the anniversary date of the initial appointment.
• Sick Leave - Career Service employees earn 8.667 hours of sick leave credits per month.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT:

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Education that applicants for employment/volunteer undergo Level 2 background screening in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes, as a condition of employment or being permitted to serve as a volunteer. You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct the required verifications. No applicant for a designated position will be employed, contracted 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, finger printing for all purposes and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records check through the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local criminal records checks through local law enforcement.

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM (SSS) AND REQUIREMENT:

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion in the Other Personal Services (OPS) or Career Service, or appointment in the Selected Exempt Service (SES) or Senior Management Service (SMS) unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. 

For more information, please visit the Selective Service website.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Please note that this position requires an on-site schedule of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is not available for this role.

If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

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.