STAFF ASSISTANT - 48007140 (BLIND SERVICES)

Requisition No: 847122 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: STAFF ASSISTANT - 48007140 (BLIND SERVICES)

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48007140 

Salary:  $33,760.00 to $37,136.00 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 03/19/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DIVISION OF BLIND SERVICES 

BUREAU OF CLIENT SERVICES & PROGRAM SUPPORT 

LOCATION: DISTRICT 7/ TAMPA (HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY) 

JOB TITLE: STAFF ASSISTANT - CAREER SERVICE
SALARY RANGE: $33,760.00 to $37,136.00 Annually

Our Mission:

The Division of Blind Services ensures 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.  With District and Satellite Offices located throughout the state, as well as the Career, Technology and Training Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, and the Braille and Talking Books Library, the Division of Blind Services has become a national model in education, employment and other services that foster independence for blind and visually impaired Floridians.  

Florida Division of Blind Services Main Page

Office Contact:
Nancy Brown, District Administrator

(813) 871-7190

Job Description:

This position serves as the Human Resource (HR) Liaison for the DBS District 7 Office, located in Tampa, Florida.  This is work providing high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing reports, handling information requests, assisting with program management, assisting with constituents, and performing administrative and clerical functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. As an HR Liaison, the incumbent in this position prepares personnel recommendation packets, routes personnel packets, assists with hiring and recruitment activities and works closely with State Office Human Resource staff.  This position is responsible for handling travel authorizations, reimbursements, p-card transactions, securing travel accommodations and preparing travel itineraries.  The position is also responsible for fleet management; this includes oversight of the state vehicle(s).  Vehicle duties include maintenance, fueling, ensuring cleanliness, preparing mileage reports, etc.

Examples of Work:

• Coordinates and directs office services, such as records and budget preparation, contact management and personnel, and related duties to assist the District Administrator and Assistant District Administrator as needed.
• Assists in the preparation of budgets, budget amendments, and budget requests.
• Prepares and maintains records and reports, such as recommendations for solutions to administrative problems, reports, financial reports, applications, and administrative orders.
• Files, maintains, arranges for storage, retrieves, or reproduces documents, records, and reports.
• Analyzes operating practices and procedures to create new or to revise existing methods.
• Reviews and prepares agenda materials.
• Maintains various databases.
• Interprets administrative and operating policies and procedures.
• Studies management methods to improve workflow, simplify reporting procedures, or implement cost reductions.
• Plans meetings and/or conferences.
• Reads and responds to correspondence.
• Represents executive at meetings and on the phone.
• Assists with the preparation of publications and other materials.
• Assists with Human Resource duties.
• Prepares travel authorizations, reimbursements, secures accommodations, prepares travel arrangements, etc.
• Serves as the District Office fleet point of contact.  This includes preparing fleet/vehicle reports, providing maintenance to the vehicle, cleaning the vehicle, fueling the vehicle, etc.
• Stays abreast of administrative rules and policies to interpret established policy and apply appropriately to office functionality.
• Provides assistance as needed to staff, consumers and the general public while providing optimum customer service.
• Independently prepares correspondence, prepares and/or audits travel claims, maintains all administrative records, and other documents as directed.
• Processes personnel forms in accordance with State, DOE and Division rules and policies including recommendations, employee benefits, employee attendance and leave, disciplinary actions and separations.
• Processes Administrative Purchase Orders and MITs in accordance with State, DOE and Division purchasing guidelines. 
• Ensures necessary office supplies are ordered timely and maintained to ensure staff have the items necessary to complete their assigned responsibilities.
• Enters data into the AWARE system which includes the processing of authorizations and invoices for client services. 
• Serves as the office inventory custodian or delegate and perform the required annual property inventory.
• Maintains office automation equipment as needed and assist staff with IT issues as needed.
• Records and tracks data of State Vehicle(s) usage by state employees.  Reports vehicle data weekly and monthly, and schedule regular vehicle maintenance and repairs.
• Other duties as requested.
   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of office procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective communication.
• Knowledge of the methods of data collection. Knowledge of basic arithmetic.
• Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to deal with the public in a tactful and courteous manner.
• Ability to perform basic arithmetical calculations.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Three years of secretarial or clerical work experience.
• College education from an accredited institution can substitute at the rate of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours for each year of the required work experience.
• Vocational/technical training in the area of secretarial science or office/business studies can substitute at the rate of 720 classroom hours for each year of the required work experience.
• A high school diploma or its equivalent can substitute for one year of the required work experience.

To be considered for a position with the Division of Blind Services:

NOTE: All fields in the candidate profile (application) must be completed in its entirety. Your packet may be held up at the final review step if you are missing any of the below items.
•    All previous periods of employment must be listed and accounted for. Periods of employment should be entered with the most recent/current listed first.  

The following must be included:
•    Any and all State of Florida jobs. 

•    Any and all Florida Community College or University jobs.
•    All periods of employment from high school graduation forward.
•    Periods of unemployment (gaps). *All gaps 3 months (90 days) or more must be accounted for.  

•    Education (high school, GED, Community College, University).
•    Volunteer Experience. 
•    A current resume must be included with this application, and the information contained in the resume must match the information contained in the state application.
•    Periods of employment should include the supervisor's name and contact information. Your current place of employment should be included. If you are currently unemployed, please make sure that information is included.
•    Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.  Gaps of employment of 3 months or more must be addressed on the application. 
•    Work history, hours worked, and formal education fields must be filled out to determine qualifications for this position. 
•    It is unacceptable to use the statement “see resume” in place of entering work history.  Your candidate profile will convert to your official application. 
•    Responses to qualifying questions must be verifiable in the candidate profile. Not all applicants will be interviewed. Preference will be given for qualifying veterans, employees in layoff status and qualified candidates based on a review of their overall scores, KSAs, primary and supplemental applications, as well as completion of any required work samples, willingness questionnaires, and behavioral/personality/skills tests, and interview responses, as applicable. References and file reviews from previous employment will be verified to determine suitability.
•    Other documentation can be attached to provide additional information.
•    Individuals lacking the ability to competently do the job and those who are unable to positively contribute to a productive team environment, need not apply.
•    The successful candidate must be able to pass a Level II Background screening.
•    If you are claiming Veteran's Preference, you must attach the correct supporting documentation to be considered (DD214). 
•    If you are claiming Right to First Interview, you must attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying to be considered. This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions. 
•    All documentation is due by the close of the job requisition/advertisement. 

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

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 (Eligibility Required)
»    Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida Community Colleges/Universities) 

»    Career Growth
»    Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits
»    Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (www.myfrs.com)  

»    Annual and Sick Leave Benefits
»    Flexible Spending Accounts
»    Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 

»    Ongoing comprehensive training provided
»    Highly skilled, professional environment

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. No applicant for a designated position will be employed or permitted to volunteer until the level 2 screening results are received, reviewed, and approved by the Department. The Level 2 background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and federal criminal records checks through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and may include local criminal records checks through local law enforcement agencies.   

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: 
You will be required to provide your Social Security Number to conduct required verifications. For more information, please visit the Social Security website. 

Selective Service System (SSS):
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.

 
The Florida Division of Blind Services is committed

to increasing recruitment and hiring of Veterans and individuals with disabilities and
improving employment outcomes.

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.