COUNSELING AND SOCIAL WORK IV - 64029591

Requisition No: 837894 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: COUNSELING AND SOCIAL WORK IV - 64029591

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64029591 

Salary:  50,000.00-60,000.00 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 10/13/2024 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The Overdose Fatality Review Next of Kin Interviewer and Investigator (Counseling and Social Work IV) at the Florida Department of Health in St. Lucie (DOH-St. Lucie) will play a crucial role in the St. Lucie County Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) team.  The position requires a combination of investigative skills, empathetic communication, and data management skills.  This position involves conducting in-depth interviews with next-of-kin (NOK) of individuals who have died from accidental drug overdoses. The NOK Interviewer will transcribe these interviews into comprehensive narratives for review by the OFR Committee, which works to identify the factors and circumstances leading to fatal overdoses and develop strategies for preventing future cases. The NOK Interviewer will also assist in the coordination and facilitation of OFR Committee meetings, managing data, and supporting families through the grief process.  The position will report to the St. Lucie County Overdose and Opioid Prevention Program Coordinator and will work with the Program team including the Coordinator, the Community Training Specialist, and the OD2A Linkage to Care Coordinator on Program projects.

Responsibilities:

NOK Interviews and Investigations:

• Work closely with the medical examiner’s office and Program Coordinator to identify suitable cases for investigation.
• Collect and analyze information related to the decedent’s life, including medical, behavioral, and mental health records, as well as medical examiner’s reports.
• Identify and connect with potential NOK for interviews following designated policies and procedures.
• Coordinate and conduct interviews with family members, friends, and acquaintances of individuals who have died from drug overdoses.
• Develop and provide resources to interviewees and surviving family members; support families throughout the NOK interview process and connect them with relevant grief, bereavement, and other support resources.

Data Management and Reporting:

• Enter and track case data in an OFR data system, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Develop and maintain comprehensive case files and documentation.
• Transcribe interviews into clear, comprehensive narratives for presentation to the OFR team.
• Prepare detailed reports summarizing findings from interviews and investigations, highlighting key insights and recommendations for the OFR Committee. Present findings and narratives to the OFR Committee during meetings and respond to questions regarding the interviews and investigation process.

Collaboration and Facilitation:

• Collaborate with the OFR project director and team members to select overdose fatalities for review by the OFR Committee.
• Develop and maintain relationships with participating agencies and collaborate with other OFR Committee members and agencies to facilitate data sharing and support for the review process.
• Assist in the preparation, coordination, and facilitation of OFR Committee meetings, including assisting in developing meeting materials such as confidentiality forms and timelines and providing neutral facilitation.
• Orient new team members to the OFR process and expectations.
• Ensure that those with lived experience have a voice in the OFR process.
• Develop and disseminate resources and educational materials about the NOK interview process and overdose prevention to community partners and agencies.
• Utilize an OFR data system to track case data and monitor the implementation of recommendations.

Other Program Responsibilities:

This position will be an active member of the Program team and work collaboratively on projects including but not limited to Linkage to Care, Community Training, coordination of opioid settlement funded community-based projects; keep up to date on overdose and opioid harm reduction, prevention, treatment, and recovery evidence-based practices; generate reports, data metrics, and contribute to coordination and analysis of relevant, available statistics from various local, state, and national computer databases; and participate in evaluation and quality assurance activities including a comprehensive needs assessment and gap analysis of substance use disorder programs and services in St. Lucie County.  The position will also be an active member of the Treasure Coast Opioid Taskforce and its subcommittees and other relevant community coalitions.

Submit timely – within specific required timeframes and with accuracy: timesheets, EARs, travel documentation, invoices, Incident Reports, P-Card documentation (if applicable), cell phone verifications (if applicable), and other required administrative documentation. Respond as required to Everbridge ServFL alerts.  Attend mandatory trainings and meetings.

Other duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, disaster preparedness activities and outreach events.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of substance use disorder and the importance of non-stigmatizing language.

Understanding of the Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) process and its objectives.

Knowledge of grief and bereavement counseling principles and practices.

Awareness of current events and policy matters related to healthcare, behavioral health, and substance use.

Understanding of data privacy and confidentiality requirements.

Skills in crisis intervention, including making assessments, de-escalating situations, and providing critical support.

Strong written and verbal communication skills for clear and effective reporting and presentation of information.

Strong organizational and time-management skills.

Skills in data collection, quality review, and analysis.

Active listening skills and establishing trust with interviewees.

Ability to take detailed notes and prepare well-organized summary reports.

Ability to empathize with interviewees and understand their needs and circumstances and to navigate difficult conversations with a trauma-informed perspective.

Ability to practice cultural competency and sensitivity to diverse perspectives.

Ability to conduct sensitive and impartial interviews, both in-person and over the phone.

Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and cases simultaneously.

Ability to maintain neutrality in facilitating multi-disciplinary meetings and group discussions.

Ability to encourage and develop group participation and engagement and guide a team through group problem-solving and decision-making.

Ability to build and maintain trusting relationships with OFR partners.

Ability to drive.

Qualifications:

Minimum:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, public health, psychology, social sciences, nursing, or a related field.
• Two years working as a social worker, counselor, or in a comparable position.
• Valid driver's license ( if out of state driver's license, must have a Florida driver's license within 30 days of hire)
• On occasion, able to work on evenings and weekends
• Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, social sciences, nursing, addiction counseling, public health, or a related field.
• Experience working with individuals and/or families with substance use, substance use disorders, harm reduction, mental health, and co-occurring disorders.
• Experience with subject interviews, case investigations including medical records reviews, and developing case findings.

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

Port St. Lucie

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 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, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

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 canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbent may be required to work before, during and/or beyond normal work hours or days in the event of an emergency. Emergency duty required of the incumbent includes working in special needs or Red Cross shelters, or performing other emergency duties including, but not limited to, responses to or threats involving any disaster or threat of disaster, man-made or natural.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

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.