PLACEMENT & TRANSITION SPECIALIST

State of Florida; Punta Gorda (FL); On-site; USD 51,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation & leave

Health and life insurance

Dental, Vision & Life insurance

Tuition-free college courses

FL Retirement System plans

Job summary

The Florida Department of Corrections, located at Charlotte Correctional Institution, Education department, is seeking a Placement & Transition Specialist. The role focuses on orientation, testing, and transition planning to support inmate education and reintegration.

You will maintain records, deliver counseling, and collaborate on individualized plans while ensuring compliance and quality education services for inmates. This is a non-telework, on-site position.

Qualifications

• One year of teaching experience.
• Master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• State of Florida Educator's Certificate eligibility; non-certified applicants must obtain a temporary certificate within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Lead engaging education orientation programs for new arrivals and oversee GED testing.
• Maintain up-to-date educational records, test scores, and progress reports in computerized systems.
• Collaborate in developing personalized education and transition plans for inmate success.
• Conduct interviews and counseling sessions addressing educational, transitional, and personal needs.
• Celebrate inmate achievements and foster a positive learning environment.

Education

Master's degree

State of Florida Educator's Certificate eligibility

Temporary State of Florida Educator’s Certificate (within 12 months)

Job description

Requisition No: 882573 Agency: Department of Corrections Working Title: PLACEMENT & TRANSITION SPECIALIST Pay Plan: Career Service Position Number: 70047628 Salary: $56,135.30 Annually Posting Closing Date: 09/04/2026 Total Compensation Estimator Tool FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS We Never Walk Alone ADVERTISING TITLE: Placement & Transition Specialist

This open competitive advertisement is for a Career Service position located at Charlotte Correctional Institution in the Education department. The mission of the Bureau of Education at the Florida Department of Corrections is to provide comprehensive educational programs and services to inmates. Their goal is to enhance inmates' academic, vocational, and life skills, thereby promoting personal development and successful reintegration into society. By offering quality education and training, they aim to reduce recidivism and support inmates in becoming productive, law-abiding citizens. This position is not a telework position and is required to report to the FDC office in the area it serves.

Job Duties

• Leading engaging education orientation programs for new arrivals, administering, and scoring achievement and placement tests, and overseeing the secure administration of GED testing.
• Maintaining up-to-date educational records, test scores, and progress reports for inmates, ensuring accuracy and compliance with computerized systems.
• Collaborating in the development of personalized education and transition plans to support inmate success.
• Conducting impactful interviews and counseling sessions with inmates to address their educational, transitional, and personal needs.
• Celebrating and recognizing inmate achievements, fostering a positive and motivating learning environment.

Be a part of our mission to provide quality education and support the rehabilitation of inmates.

Benefits

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Comprehensive health insurance and life insurance with accidental death and dismemberment benefits.
• Supplemental Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and Hospitalization insurance.
• Tuition-Free college courses.
• Retirement Plans with the Florida Retirement System:
  • Pension Plan (Traditional Retirement Pension Plan)
  • Investment Plan (401(K)-Type Retirement Plan)
  • Deferred Retirement Option Program (Drop)
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Recently Retired? Beginning July 1, 2024, there is no longer a reemployment limitation; beginning with the 7th calendar month from the member's distribution date, there are no restrictions on working for an FRS employer. You will not be required to repay any prior distributions, and you may continue receiving distributions from the Investment Plan or Pension Plan without interruption.

Requirements

Please note, when submitting a college/university degree, if selected for this position official transcripts will be required.

• Must possess one (1) year of teaching experience.
• A master's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Possess or be eligible to apply for a State of Florida Educator's Certificate.
• SPECIAL NOTE: Non-certified applicants must obtain a temporary State of Florida Educator’s Certificate within 12 months of hire. State of Florida Educator’s Professional Certificate must be obtained prior to the expiration of Temporary Certificate.

Support of knowledge, skills, and abilities should be demonstrated on the application, in the education, in the work experience, in the work sample, in the interview and/or during reference checks.

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT

The Florida Department of Corrections requires all job applicants and volunteers to pass a Level 2 background check as per Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. This check must be completed before they can start working or volunteering.

EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) only hires U.S. citizens and those authorized to work in the U.S. FDC uses E-Verify to confirm an employee’s eligibility to work after completing the I-9 form.

For online application issues, call the People First Service Center at 1-877-562-7287. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.

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. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.