Program Counselor Blind Services

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM COUNSELOR -  (BLIND SERVICES)

Join to apply for the EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM COUNSELOR -  (BLIND SERVICES) role at State of Florida
.

Requisition No: 861043

Agency:
Department of Education

Working Title:

EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM COUNSELOR -  (BLIND SERVICES)

Pay Plan:
Career Service

Position Number:

Salary: $47,277.00 to $52,004.70 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 01/11/2026

Location:

District 2/Tallahassee (Leon County)

APPLICATION INFORMATION & HIRING REQUIREMENTS:

• 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.

• 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.

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.

Kelly G. Simmons, Assistant District Administrator

Phone:

This position is in the Division of Blind Services, District 2 Tallahassee Office. The Employment Program Counselor works with DBS clients and local businesses and other federal, state, public and non‑profit employers, providing unique, specialized services to blind adults and children through the vision rehabilitation process, including advocacy, referral and resource development, counseling and guidance, and all other aspects of Independent Living, Children’s, and Vocational Rehabilitation Services.

• Maintain and practice a current understanding of FDOE and DBS policies and guidelines regarding information security.
• Provide unique, specialized services to blind adults and children throughout the vision rehabilitation process including advocacy, referral and resource development, counseling and guidance, and all other aspects of Independent Living, Children’s, and Vocational Rehabilitation services.
• Conduct outreach activities to increase on‑job training, apprenticeships, work‑based learning, volunteering, and employment opportunities.
• Participate in job development, placement and follow‑up activities of clients and utilize specific assessment tools as directed by policies and procedures.
• Provide and document required client contacts, initial interview assessments, plan development, closure reports, implement and coordinate services in accordance with time frames, policies and procedures specified in the case service manual.
• Model and demonstrate the principals of…