GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CONSULTANT III - 48007120

Requisition No: 879086 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS CONSULTANT III - 48007120

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48007120 

Salary:  $50,584.68 to $55,643.15 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 08/14/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Education

Division of Blind Services

Bureau of Client Services & Program Support

Location: Turlington Building/Tallahassee (Leon County)

Position Title: Government Operations Consultant III (Career Service)

Salary Range: $50,584.68 to $55,643.15 Annually

CANDIDATES ARE TYPICALLY HIRED AT THE MINIMUM SALARY

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

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:

Alexandra Diggs: 850-245-0542

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This position is located in the Division of Blind Services (DBS), State Office in Tallahassee, Florida. Under the direction of the Program Administrator, and the Chief of Client Services and Program Support, this position is responsible for the complete processing, investigating, assessing, and analyzing of all Social Security Reimbursements for the Division’s monies spent on qualified DBS Visually Impaired Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) participants receiving SSA benefits by researching and identifying eligible clients; independently planning, initiating and implementing administrative activities such as creating and managing databases, inputting data, providing technical assistance training to database users, independently preparing reports and typing routine correspondence. This position performs independent administrative and program work for the Florida Rehabilitation Council for the Blind (FRCB) in fulfilling its obligations as required under Chapter 413.405 Florida Statutes, and Section 105, Part A of Title I of the Rehabilitation Act, and Chapter 361.16-361.17 of its implementing regulations.

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:

• Develop, implement, coordinate, assess, investigate and complete all administration of the SSA reimbursement program and tracks reimbursements, denials, appeals and all correspondence.
• Provide Annual Fiscal Year Cost Formula Calculations application to SSA to be applied to VR Provider Claims requests for Administration Counseling Placement costs.
• Submit reports on the SSA and TTW activity as directed by the Bureau Chief of Client Services.
• Maintain database systems for tracking of information related to Bureau and Division operations for SS reimbursements.
• Review, analyze and interpret federal regulations and laws pertaining to the SSA/VR Claims Reimbursement System and Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act.
• Compile and submit monthly SSA budget reconciliation reports.
• Maintain detailed electronic and a hardcopy record system for the SSA VR Reimbursements Claims processing.
• Conduct an ongoing review and analysis of the SSA Claims Reimbursement System.
• Provide technical assistance to SSA offices, investigating and responding to requests for additional claim information.
• Compile and maintain data used for analyses and reporting of SSA claims submissions and awards.
• Prepare and disseminate statistical reports.
• Complete and administer Ticket to Work requests when requested by SSA for the completion of related SSA Claims for reimbursement entitlements and delegates to local District Offices.
• Serves as the DBS liaison to SSA and their contract program manager as well as to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) Office of Disability Determinations.  
• Coordinate with staff from the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (data collection) on verification of State Wages.
• Verify client benefits for Division of Blind Services staff.
• Arranges FRCB meetings and public hearings coordinating logistics, to include arranging meeting space, hotel lodging, photocopying meeting agendas and information, and providing meeting information in alternative formats.
• Attend FRCB meetings and draft meeting minutes.
• Assists with the preparation of the annual report and meeting minutes from notes or transcription of tapes.
• Serves as backup for subcommittee meetings.
• Submit notice of meetings to the Florida Administrative Weekly.
• E-mail members with meeting notices and reminders.
• Disseminate the access information for teleconferences and facilitate call connections.
• Forward all incoming correspondence to the appropriate Board member.
• Respond to requests from the Board chair and members as necessary.
• Submit notice of meetings to the Florida Administrative Weekly.
• Email members with meeting notices and reminders.
• Disseminate access information for teleconference and facilitate call connections.
• Forward all incoming correspondence to the appropriate Board member.
• Respond to requests from the Board chair and members as necessary.
• Arranges DSO meetings and public hearings coordinating logistics, to include arranging meeting space, hotel lodging, photocopying meeting agendas and information, and providing meeting information in alternative formats.
• Submit notice of meetings to the Florida Administrative Weekly.
• Email members with meeting notices and reminders.
• Disseminate access information for teleconferences and facilitate call connections.
• Forwards all incoming correspondence to the appropriate Board member.
• Respond to requests from the Board chair and members as necessary.
• Performs other duties as requested.
• Travel is required to perform the duties of this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of State and Federal Regulations, job development, marketing skills, rehabilitation technology, and the vocational rehabilitation process and procedures.
• Ability to serve individuals with multiple disabilities, while maintaining professionalism and program knowledge.
• Ability to communicate effectively (in writing and verbally).
• Ability to work independently, capable of setting priorities and assisting in a variety of complex duties. 
• Ability to utilize complex office automation equipment, computer software used for word processing, spreadsheets, and managing databases to provide effective and efficient daily business operations. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal.
• Ability to work and perform under stressful conditions.
• Ability to demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of others.
• Ability to work independently and perform tasks and responsibilities with limited guidance and direction. 
• Ability to gather, analyze and organize information into logical format for presentation in reports, documents, and other written materials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Three (3) to five (5) years of professional and relevant experience in the administration of a Social Security Administration (SSA) reimbursement program or
  experience preparing agendas, coordinating meetings, managing logistics, and providing direct support to a Board or Commission.
• The ability to pass a background investigation required by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to gain access to the mySSA portal per the SSA's Security and Suitability Requirements. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

EDUCATIONAL SUBSTITUTION:

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

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

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 or remote work 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.