Sr Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Requisition No: 887415 

Agency: Department of Education

Working Title: SR VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR - 48004403

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48004403 

Salary:  $3,986.67 per month 

Posting Closing Date: 11/17/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida Department of Education

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Bureau of Field Services

Location: New Port Richey, Florida

Position Title: Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Salary: $47,840.00

 

 

OFFICE CONTACT:

Magdhalini Meshak: 727-484-1431

 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This position performs advanced-level work under the limited supervision of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Supervisor in Area 4 New Port Richey Unit 16B, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Position provides professional vocational rehabilitation counseling services to individuals with disabilities, including potentially eligible VR youth ages 14–21, to support the achievement of competitive integrated employment. Responsibilities include coordinating vocational rehabilitation services, providing technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders, maintaining case records, tracking open authorizations and other case-related activities, monitoring caseload data, and ensuring compliance with agency policies, procedures, and applicable 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:

 

• Conduct intake and application activities for individuals with disabilities by reviewing referrals, completing applications, conducting initial interviews, explaining informed choice, and reviewing medical, psychological, educational, and vocational records to support eligibility determinations.
• Determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and complete all required documentation, assessments, and eligibility decisions within established timeframes.
• Develop an Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) in collaboration with the participant, ensuring the plan identifies an appropriate employment goal and the services necessary to achieve successful employment outcomes.
• Authorize, coordinate, and manage vocational rehabilitation services in accordance with the IPE, including monitoring service delivery, expenditures, authorizations, documentation, coding accuracy, and financial compliance.
• Conduct job development and placement activities, including labor market research, employer outreach, and business engagement to secure and maintain competitive integrated employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Collaborate with community rehabilitation providers, educational institutions, workforce partners, employers, and other stakeholders to support job placement, retention, training, credential attainment, and successful employment outcomes.
• Provide ongoing vocational counseling, case management, progress monitoring, follow-up services, and post-employment support to promote long-term employment success.
• Maintain and complete case documentation by recording eligibility determinations, service authorizations, case activities, participant progress, and employment outcomes within agency information systems.
• Participate in required training, professional development, and continuing education activities to maintain vocational rehabilitation knowledge, professional competencies, and applicable certifications.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Licensure/Registration/Certification/Experience or Education:

 

• Establish and maintain education and experience requirements, to ensure that the personnel have a 21st century understanding of the evolving labor force and the needs of individuals with disabilities.

• Being able to meet the federal requirements for this federally funded position which includes:

Bachelor’s Degree

Attainment of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study reasonably related to vocational rehabilitation, to indicate a level of competency and skill demonstrating basic preparation in a field of study such as:

• vocational rehabilitation counseling

• psychology

• disability studies

• business administration

• human resources

• special education

• supported employment

• customized employment

• economics

• another field that reasonably prepares individuals to work with consumers and employers

 

Years of Experience

For each year of work experience required in the qualifications, an applicant shall have 12 months of full-time work experience to receive credit for an entire year. Bachelor’s degree plus not less than 2 years of paid or unpaid experience consisting of:

• direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center

• direct service for advocacy activities that provide such individual with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities

• direct experience as an employer

• direct experience as a small business owner or operator

• direct experience in self-employment

• experience in human resources

• experience in recruitment

• experience in supervising employees

• experience in training

• experience in other activities that provide experience in competitive integrated employment environments

 

Advanced Degree

Attainment of a Master’s or Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study such as:

• vocational rehabilitation counseling

• law

• psychology

• disability studies

• business administration

• human resources

• special education

• management

• public administration

• another field that reasonably provides confidence in:

• • the employment sector
  • in a disability field
  • or in both business-related and rehabilitation-related fields

 

Years of Experience

For each year of work experience required in the qualifications, an applicant shall have 12 months of full-time work experience to receive credit for an entire year.

 

Advanced degree plus not less than 1 year of paid or unpaid experience consisting of:

• direct work with individuals with disabilities in a setting such as an independent living center

• direct service for advocacy activities that provide such individuals with experience and skills in working with individuals with disabilities

• direct experience as an employer

• direct experience as a small business owner or operator

• direct experience in self-employment

• experience in human resources

• experience in recruitment

• experience in supervising employees

• experience in training

• experience in other activities that provide experience in competitive integrated employment environments

 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preferences will be given to:

• Applicants who meet both professional and educational experience
• Applicants who have direct experience in/with vocational rehabilitation counseling
• Applicants who complete application information and hire requirements listed in the advertisement to completion
• Master’s Degree: Attainment of a master’s or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in field of study such as:
  • Business administration
  • Vocational rehabilitation counseling
  • Law
  • Psychology
  • Disability studies
  • Human resources
  • Special education
  • Management
  • Public administration
  • Another field that reasonably provides confidence in:
    • The employment sector
    • In a disability field
    • Or in both business-related and rehabilitation-related fields

 

Related work experience may not substitute for any licensure, certification, or registration required by an agency and indicated in the advertised job description.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION/DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION MISSION STATEMENT:

 

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that helps people who have physical or mental disabilities get or keep a job. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers. 

 

Our Mission is “to help people with disabilities find and maintain employment and enhance their independence.” Our Vision is “to become the first-place people with disabilities turn when seeking employment and a top resource for employers in need of qualified employees.”

 

To find out more about what we do at Vocational Rehabilitation, please visit http://www.rehabworks.org/

 

WORKING FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS BENEFITS!

• State Group Insurance coverage 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)
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (www.myfrs.com)
• Annual and Sick Leave Benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Ongoing comprehensive training provided
• Career Growth
• Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits
• 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 are always improving our technology, our tools, our customer’s experiences and ourselves

*We care about the success of our clients.

*A rewarding experience for reliable, compassionate and professional employees.

 

LEAVE INFORMATION:

• 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.
• 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 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 purpose and checks under this requirement, statewide criminal and juvenile records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, federal criminal records checks 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 (CS), 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 is not available for this role.

 

APPLICANT 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 of more must be accounted for*
  • Any Education
  • Any Volunteer Experience
  • Your resume and application must match
• Gaps 3 months of 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 your supervisors’ names and phone numbers for reference checks or the contract 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.
• Equal Opportunity
• The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority in advance. 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. Successful applicants will be screen in accordance with Chapter 435, F.S., as applicable.

 

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.

 

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.