SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR-F/C

Florida; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Holidays

Comprehensive health insurance

Life insurance with AD&D

Dental, Vision, Life, Disability

Tuition-free college courses

Florida Retirement System options

Job summary

Florida Department of Corrections seeks a Social Services Counselor to support inmates’ mental health and behavior improvement through education and counseling. You will collaborate with prison staff to help inmates adjust and reduce substance abuse, delivering cognitive behavioral programs and individual sessions.

The role is on-site at Florida State Prison within the Substance Abuse Department, requiring in-person work and active engagement with a multi-disciplinary team to develop

Qualifications

• Must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any of the social sciences.
• Two (2) years of professional experience in the social services field.
• Must pass a Level 2 background screening.
• U.S. citizens or those authorized to work in the U.S. are eligible to apply.

Responsibilities

• Deliver cognitive behavioral programs and psychosocial education to inmates to improve behavior and reduce substance abuse.
• Lead group or one-to-one sessions and provide behavioral health support in different settings.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to set goals, track progress, and participate in staff meetings.
• Engage inmates in disciplinary confinement to maintain engagement with behavioral goals.
• Assist with assessments, reports, and staff development tasks.

Skills

Behavioral health counseling

Group facilitation

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in social sciences

Job description

Requisition No: 884521

Agency: Department of Corrections

Working Title: SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR-F/C

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 70044250

Salary: $44,290.22 Annually

Posting Closing Date: 10/29/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

FLORIDA DEPARTM ENT OF CORRECTIONS

We Never Walk Alone

ADVERTISING TITLE: SOCIAL SERVICES COUNSELOR

This open competitive advertisement is for a Career Service position located at Florida State Prison in the Substance Abuse Department.

The Social Services Counselor supports inmates' mental health and behavior improvement through education, counseling, and collaboration with prison staff to help them successfully adjust and reduce substance abuse.

This position is not a telework position and is required to report to the FDC office in the area it serves.

JOB DUTIES:

• Deliver cognitive behavioral programs and psychosocial education to help inmates in or recently out of restrictive housing improve their behavior and avoid substance abuse.
• Lead group or one‑on‑one sessions and provide behavioral health support in different settings to help inmates adjust and succeed.
• Work closely with multi‑disciplinary teams to create personalized behavior goals, track progress, and support inmates during team meetings.
• Stay connected with inmates in disciplinary confinement to keep them engaged and aware of their behavior.
• Collaborate with other prison departments, assist with program tasks like assessments and reports, and participate in staff meetings and professional development.

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 a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any of the social sciences and two (2) years of professional experience in the social services field.

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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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.

The Florida Department of Corrections does not currently support H-1B Visa Sponsorship.

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.