GENERAL SERVICES SPECIALIST - 48007016 (BLIND SERVICES)

Requisition No: 868206 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: GENERAL SERVICES SPECIALIST - 48007016 (BLIND SERVICES)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48007016 

Salary:  $57,783.00 to $63,561.30 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 02/13/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Education

Division of Blind Services

Business Enterprise Program

Location: Tampa, FL (Hillsborough County)

Position Title: General Services Specialist (Career Service)

Salary Range: $57,783.00 to $63,561.30 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:

Maureen Fink, Operations & Management Consultant Manager

Phone: 813-796-8633

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This position performs a wide range of assignments under the limited supervision of the direction of the Operations & Management Consultant Manager – SES, Business Enterprise Program (BEP), Division of Blind Services.  This position serves as the primary point of contact for the licensed operators in the Business Enterprise Program (BEP).  The position will be responsible for communicating, training, supporting, and initiating new site development as needed.

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:

• Advises and assists blind clients and consumers of the division in managing food service facilities with employer/employee relations, inventory control, sales strategies, and pricing structures.
• Provides training, as needed on menu planning, food preparation, caring for equipment and business development.
• Ensures that businesses are operated according to Licensed Operator Facility Agreements, and State and Federal Regulations.
• Helps negotiate with building managers and cafeteria site owners. 
• Procures equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Assists with installing, replacing, or repairing equipment and vending machines.
• Provides coordination services for licensed operators.
• Advises and assists blind managers with employer/employee relations, inventory control, sales strategies, and pricing structures.
• Provides training in business development or other areas as deemed necessary.
• Inspect business sites for compliance with sanitation and health codes.
• Writes activity reports and documents on the client manager’s progress.
• Advises licensed operators on inventory resale merchandise as needed.
• Writes purchase and repair orders as needed.  Recommends new opportunities for food service and/or vending routes throughout the State of Florida.
• Participates in the activities of the committee of vendors as required.
• Make surveys of buildings or properties to determine their suitability as locations for vending facilities to be operated by blind Business Enterprise Program (BEP) managers.
• Assists with the completion of necessary contractual arrangements for the establishment and operation of vending facilities with appropriate property management companies.
• Arranges for the design, installation of equipment, supply procurement, and initial stock needed for opening new or remodeled units.
• Prepares reports as required on the status of various Business Enterprise Program (BEP) activities including reports related to the operation of facilities by licensed operator’s and unassigned facilities.
• Ensures activity of in-service training opportunities for facility managers.
• Documents contact and communication with BEP managers, public representatives and private vendors utilizing standardized reports.
• Serves as the contract manager with respect to licensed operator agreements.
• Participates in on-going staff development opportunities and maintains a current Safe Serve Certification.
• Implements effective facility visitations to ensure optimal operation of each facility.  At minimum, visits must include a review of financial, compliance, health, and safety and sanitation matters.
• Keeps the supervisor informed on ongoing facility inspection issues and provides a plan of action to address any violations.
• Responsible for providing a concise summary of all licensed food service facilities inspections semi-annually as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES: 

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of purchasing and maintaining supply inventory, property management, food service and/or real property management.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to formulate policies and procedures.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to analyze and identify operational and/or management problems.
• 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.

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.

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES:

• Performs other duties as requested.
• Travel and driving are required for this position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to, business administration, purchasing, procurement, supply inventory, property management, or food service operations; or
• Four years of professional and relevant experience in a field of study reasonably related to business administration, purchasing, procurement, supply inventory, property management, or food service operations. Preference will be given to those with a bachelor’s degree.   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience in business administration, purchasing, procurement, supply inventory, property management, or food service operations.
• Candidates who hold a Safe Serve Certification.

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! 

*State Group Insurance Coverage options+ (health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental options)

*Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year.

*Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Eligibility required). 

*Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities).

*Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits.

*Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (www.myfrs.com).

*Annual and Sick Leave Benefits.

*Flexible Spending Accounts.

*Ongoing comprehensive training provided.

*Highly skilled, professional environment. 

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

 *We care about the success of our employees. 

*We care about the success of our clients.

*We are always improving our technology, our tools, our customers' experiences and ourselves. 

*We offer rewarding experiences for reliable, compassionate and professional employees. 

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.

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

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.