SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR-F/C

Requisition No: 861193 

Agency: Department of Corrections

Working Title: SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR-F/C

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 70044251 

Salary:  $42,230.24 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 09/27/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

We Never Walk Alone

ADVERTISING/WORKING TITLE: SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR-F/C

This open competitive advertisement is for a Career Service position located at Lowell Correctional Institution in the Substance Abuse department.

The mission of a Social Services Counselor is to provide comprehensive guidance and counseling services to inmates, focusing on the treatment and rehabilitation of those struggling with substance abuse. We are dedicated to developing specialized programs facilitating substance abuse treatment, appropriate placements, and ensuring accurate documentation to support recovery and the successful re-entry of inmates into society. Through individual and group counseling, motivational groups, and coordination with community resources, we strive to foster positive change and promote recovery.

This position is not a telework position and is required to report to the FDC office in the area it serves.

JOB DUTIES:

• Facilitate programs for treating substance abuse among inmates.
• Work with staff to identify and place inmates in the right substance abuse programs.
• Work with inmates in treatment to help with recovery-focused re-entry plannings.
• Keep accurate records of each inmate's treatment.
• Provide group and individual counseling and motivational groups to support inmates' recovery and rehabilitation.

BENEFITS:

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
• Supplemental Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and Hospitalization insurance.
• Tuition-Free college courses.
• Retirement Plans with the Florida Retirement System:

• • Pension Plan (Traditional Retirement Pension Plan)
  • Investment Plan (401(K)-Type Retirement Plan)
  • Deferred Retirement Option Program (Drop)
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Recently Retired? Beginning July 1, 2024, there is no longer a reemployment limitation; beginning with the 7th calendar month from the member's distribution date, there are no restrictions on working for an FRS employer. You will not be required to repay any prior distributions, and you may continue receiving distributions from the Investment Plan or Pension Plan without interruption.

REQUIREMENTS:

Please note, when submitting a college/university degree, if selected for this position official transcripts will be required.

• Must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college with a major in counseling, social work, psychology, nursing, rehabilitation, special education, health education, or a related health services field.

Support of knowledge, skills, and abilities should be demonstrated on the application, in the education, in the work experience, in the work sample, in the interview and/or during reference checks.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

The Florida Department of Corrections requires all job applicants and volunteers to pass a Level 2 background check as per Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. This check must be completed before they can start working or volunteering.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) only hires U.S. citizens and those authorized to work in the U.S. FDC uses E-Verify to confirm an employee’s eligibility to work after completing the I-9 form.

For online application issues, call the People First Service Center at 1-877-562-7287. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

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.