Closing Date: 2nd November, 2025

Description:

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

This is independent professional counseling work providing vocational rehabilitation services to eligible disabled individuals to attain employment; and providing technical assistance to vocational rehabilitation counselors.

This is a continuous posting to fill Senior VR Counselor positions in Largo and St. Petersburg.

A work-driven resume is required to be submitted with application. If selected, copies of diploma and transcripts will be requested.

Minimum Qualifications:
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.

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 reasonable 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 field

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Knowledge of the theories and practices in vocational rehabilitation guidance and counseling
Knowledge of interviewing techniques
Knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disability groups
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective communication
Knowledge of employment resources and vocational rehabilitation resources
Knowledge of methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data
Knowledge of organizing, tracking, and monitoring fiscal activities
Knowledge of state and federal fiscal requirements
Ability to compile, organize and analyze medical, vocational and psychological data
Ability to administer tests and analyze results
Ability to provide counseling and guidance in career planning
Ability to develop individual vocational rehabilitation programs and place clients in appropriate vocation Ability to communicate effectively
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

Preference may be given to applicants:

Possessing degree in a counseling field
Qualified applicants with fluent bilingual skills in English/Spanish

Duties and Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for providing independent professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with a diversity of disabilities in order that they may attain employment; providing and coordinating complex services; and providing technical assistance on vocational rehabilitation issues to internal and external customers. The incumbent of this position will access client information, maintain case records, produce correspondence, and perform other automated functions within the scope of the position's responsibilities.

Assesses medical, psychological, and vocational information to determine eligibility for services. Provides technical assistance to internal and external customers. Develops and implements with full participation of the customer with a disability, an Individual Plan for Employment to determine employment outcomes.

Provides professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with a diversity of disabilities who require complex vocational rehabilitation strategies in order that they may attain appropriate employment outcomes. Provides information to assist individuals with disabilities in making informed choices regarding services, service providers and emplyment outcomes.

Authorizes, coordinates and/or negotiates services leading to successful employment outcomes. Negotiates with individuals with disabilities regarding plan development.

Devises job placement opportunities through job placement activities, including job analysis, job development, and labor market information to assist individuals with disabilities to obtain appropriate employment outcomes. Develops employer contacts and serves as liaison with employers. Utilizes the resources of community rehabilitation providers in securing appropriate job placement for eligible individuals with disabilities. Coordinates or collaborates with others in other placement activities. Provides technical assistance to internal and external customers.

Conducts in-depth interviews of individuals with disabilities requiring complex rehabilitation strategies to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and the feasibility for achieving a vocational goal.

Manages resources to ensure financial accountability according to state and federal regulations and policies.

Collaborates with community partners to assure appropriate use of available resources.

Provides technical assistance and specialized training to internal customers. Participates in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation.

Performs other duties as required.

Attendance is an essential function of this position.

Employees must be productive under tight timeframes, balance multiple and competing priorities and maintain goal-directed behavior and performance sometimes under stressful conditions; the employee must interact courteously with others; employee's performance and behavior must demonstrate consideration of the workload concerns of others and must not negatively affect productivity and morale of the unit.