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State of Florida
Ocala, Florida

SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 48004310

Counselor / TherapistNo weekendsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$47,840

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 27m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Requisition No: 887397
  • Agency: Department of Education
  • Working Title: SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 48004310
  • Pay Plan: Career Service
  • Position Number: 48004310
  • Salary: 47,840.00
  • Posting Closing Date: 11/30/2026
  • Total Compensation Estimator ToolFlorida Department of Education
  • Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
  • Bureau of Field Services
  • Location: Orange Park
  • Position Title: Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (CS)
  • Salary Range: $47,840.00 Annually

Salary Is Based on Candidate’S Experience and Qualifications

Office Contact

Deladrika Brown – 904-573-3910 or Deladrika.brown@vr.fldoe.org

Job Description

This position performs advanced-level work under the limited supervision of the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Supervisor in Area 2 Orange Park Unit 08C, 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:

Four years of professional experience in Vocational Rehabilitation, Psychology, Business Administration, Special Education, Human Resources, or other related field.

Establish and maintain education and experience requirements related to the understanding of the needs of individuals with disabilities.

Proficient in using Microsoft Office software, such as Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word

Preferred Qualifications

Preferences will be given to:

Applicants who have direct experience working with individuals with disabilities

Applicants who have both professional and educational experience

Applicants who complete application information and hire requirements listed in the advertisement to completion.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of the theories and practices in vocational rehabilitation guidance and counseling.
  • Knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disability groups.
  • Knowledge of employment resources and vocational rehabilitation resources.
  • Knowledge of program requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 and state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Skilled in interviewing techniques.
  • Skilled in administering tests and analyzing results.
  • 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 the unit.
  • 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.
  • Ability to provide counseling and guidance in career planning.
  • Proficient in using Microsoft Office software, such as Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word
  • Ability to provide excellent customer service.
  • Ability to maintain work area in an organized and clean manner.
  • Ability to understand and apply applicable rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality.
  • Ability to use and analyze information from the management information system.
  • Ability to interpret state and federal vocational rehabilitation regulations and policies.
  • Ability to devise employment strategies for individuals with disabilities.
  • Ability to use automated systems.
  • Ability to demonstrate reliable and consistent attendance.

Educational Subsitituions

F.S. 112.219 - Substitution of work experience for postsecondary educational requirements.

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or University can substitute for 4 years of direct experience.

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 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 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
  • 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 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: (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.

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 Serv

Key Responsibilities

Provide vocational rehabilitation counseling and case management to individuals with disabilities, including youth, from intake and eligibility assessment through employment planning, job placement, and follow-up support. Coordinate and authorize services, collaborate with employers and community partners, maintain accurate case records, and ensure compliance with agency policies and regulations.

Requirements

Requires four years of professional experience in vocational rehabilitation, psychology, business administration, special education, human resources, or a related field; a bachelor's degree may substitute for four years of direct experience. Applicants should be proficient with Microsoft Office, and direct experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Eligibility DeterminationIndividualized Plan for Employment DevelopmentCareer CounselingDisability ServicesStakeholder CollaborationService Authorization ManagementAssessment and Test AnalysisRegulatory Compliance

Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling — Counselor Career Context

In Florida, the Counselor weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$66k (355 salary observations; 1,755 listings), vs ~$73k nationally (10,111 salary observations; 46,259 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2025-12-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

The cost-of-living index for Florida is 103.4 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$48k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $46k in an average-cost state. 58.1% of Florida clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Counselor market look like in Florida?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.4 / 10 · above average in counselingranked against 13,190 Counseling listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$48kCounselor median $67k (middle half $56k–$70k)10 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Florida vs national$66k median in Florida$73k nationally (−9%)355 state / 10,111 national salary observations
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$46k in purchasing powerFlorida index 103.4 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
All counselor listings in Florida604 active13,299 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 46% remote · 40% no call · 62% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentloan repaymentFlorida counselor listings (all specialties): 6% state a sign-on bonus (median $5k) · 12% offer loan repayment604 active listings, Nov 2026
Counselor pay trend (all specialties)−1.3% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (13,190 Counseling listings), BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page. Florida figures use all counselors: too few Florida Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling postings state pay.

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 48004310 at State of Florida a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Counseling — ranked against 13,190 active Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements.

Location & Logistics

Florida has no state income tax, which can significantly increase take-home pay compared to high-tax states. At the posted ~$48k midpoint, that is roughly $2k–$3k a year versus a typical 4–7% state rate.

Top Counselor Jobs

34 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

34 jobs · 27 employers
16
<$75k
7
$75k-95k
4
$95k-115k
5
$115k-135k
2
$141k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

24 jobs
401k / retirement match
100% this job
CME allowance
33%
Sign-on bonus
29%
Loan repayment
21% this job
PSLF eligible
8% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

LifeStance Health · Lake Oswego, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

LifeStance Health · West Linn, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Mental Health Therapist

$131k
#4

Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)

$115k-$120k
+ 32 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 6.4
Better work-life than 60% of Counseling listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 13,190 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • On-site
State of Florida logo

About State of Florida

Government Administration
Tallahassee
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

State Group Insurance
Nine paid holidays plus a Personal Holiday
Student Loan Forgiveness Program
Tuition Fee Waivers
Retirement plan with employer contributions
Annual and Sick Leave
Flexible Spending Accounts
Ongoing training

Living in Ocala

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$257k≈ 5.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$1,584/mo≈ 40% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
19 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
95.2
State income tax
None
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Ocala, FL metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.