Job Description

Requisition No: 852066 

Agency: School for the Deaf & Blind

Working Title: CERTIFIED SCHOOL COUNSELOR - 48008536

 Pay Plan: Contract FTE (BenEl)

Position Number: 48008536 

Salary: $54,967.2400 - $58,959.60 

Posting Closing Date: 05/13/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator 

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB)

Certified School Counselor 7% Specialist– Board of Trustees

Position Number 48008536

Department: Deaf Principal

HIRING FOR THE 2025/2026 SCHOOL YEAR

Who are we?

FSDB is a state public school available at no cost to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf or hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind, including boarding and transportation services. FSDB is nationally recognized for its comprehensive educational services, designed for the unique communication and accessibility needs of students. FSDB also provides educational outreach programs for children ages 0-5 and their families. The FSDB experience provides students with the edge to do more, be more, and achieve more.

How you will make an impact:

The Certified School Counselor is responsible for providing counseling services to deaf/hard of hearing students in the Deaf High School in accordance with the guidelines and regulations set forth by the Florida Department of Education. The Certified School Counselor will work collaboratively with students, parents, teachers, specialists, and administrators to address academic, career, and personal/social development needs of students. This position plays a vital role in supporting students' success by providing guidance, counseling, and advocacy.

• Provide direct student contact services and indirect student support services, including, but not limited to: Assisting students in course selection, scheduling, and academic planning to ensure they meet graduation requirements and pursue post-secondary education or career pathways. Collaborate with teachers to support academic success and monitor student progress. Provide guidance and resources to students regarding college and career exploration, including college admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and vocational opportunities. Help students develop career goals and create individualized plans for post-secondary education or employment. Coordinate and communicate student scholarship information to other professionals across campus in collaboration with DHS Assistant Principal and Principal. Conduct one-on-one counseling sessions with students to address academic, career, and personal issues. In collaboration with FSDB mental health staff, facilitate counseling groups and implement school support programs through education and intervention groups such as PBiS, Bullying Prevention, Teen Dating Violence and Abuse, etc. Meet with students in the Deaf High School to assist with developing a plan to achieve educational, career, and personal/social goals. Meet with students to prepare the transition page of the TIEP, attend transition IEP meetings to support students in promoting self-determination, discussing accommodations, sharing student data, and discussing graduation plan. Consult and collaborate with FSDB staff, school-based teams, and other agencies to develop and monitor the transition program for students. Maintain documentation on assigned student caseload related to transition planning. Assist the Principal and/or Assistant Principal and collaborate with team school guidance counselor with class scheduling and academic state and district testing.
• Work in conjunction with other academic support team members to disaggregate data such as grades, test scores, and attendance to develop strategies to support students.
• Complete necessary paperwork related to transition planning, make telephone contacts, compose letters and reports to agencies, parents, and schools as needed. Provide resources to enhance parent involvement in students' academic and personal development. Conduct meetings and in-services as needed. Coordinate services with off-campus consultants when necessary. Collect and analyze data to assess the effectiveness of counseling programs and identify areas for improvement.
• Attend training sessions and implement acquired skills during professional development activities as required by Federal, state, and FSDB mandates. Stay updated on counseling best practices, educational trends, and relevant policies.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of guidance counseling deaf or hard of hearing students;
• Knowledge of the role of mental health in a boarding school for the deaf and the blind;
• Knowledge of curriculum needs in basic areas of social skills, employability skills, career development, occupational opportunities and vocational assessment/training/placement for deaf or hard of hearing students;
• Knowledge of the implications of student social/emotional needs on the educational process;
• Ability to evaluate students of a cognitive, social/emotional and developmental level and make appropriate recommendations addressing student needs socially and academically;
• Knowledge of regulations regarding confidential information;
• Knowledge of various crisis techniques and the ability to deal with a student in crisis;
• Skills in administering achievement tests;
• Ability to teach/counsel students in individual and group settings;
• Ability to maintain records, write reports, and correspond with parents and agencies;
• Ability to utilize interactive conferencing skills with teachers, students, parents, adult service agencies, and school support services;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and provide non-judgmental support to students;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• Ability to facilitate trainings and meetings;
• Knowledge of Bullying/Teen Dating Violence and Abuse Identification/Prevention and Intervention as well as knowledge of Positive Behavior Support;
• Knowledge of Florida state education policies, graduation requirements, and college admission processes.
• Ability to attain sign language proficiency level in accordance with FSDB O.P.P.1.24;
• Ability to pass training and administer skills acquired during CPI and CPR;

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree or higher in related field.
• Current state of Florida educator certification in School Counseling PK-12 or ability to obtain within a reasonable period of time upon hire. If certification is not from Florida, upon appointment, shall obtain state of Florida certification within a reasonable period of time.
• Twelve credit hours of college coursework in Deaf/Hard of Hearing or equivalent.

Additional requirements mandated by state/federal law and position responsibilities.

Preferred:

Three years professional teaching experience with students who are deaf or hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired.

Sign Language Requirements:

Applicants who are selected for hire will be required to attain an Advanced proficiency in sign language within one year of hire.

Please note: FSDB provides education to acquire sign language skills.

Hiring Salary Range: 10-month position: $54,967.2400 - $58,959.60 annually. This range is inclusive of verified experience and education.

Hours:  Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm

Vision:

FSDB will prepare each student for a lifetime of success.

Mission:

The mission of FSDB is to utilize all available talent, energy, and resources to provide free appropriate public education for eligible sensory impaired students of Florida. As a school of academic excellence, the school shall strive to provide students an opportunity to access education services in caring, safe, unique learning environment to prepare them to be literate, employable, and independent lifelong learners. The school shall provide outreach services that include collaboration with district school boards and shall encourage input from students, staff, parents, and the community. As a diverse organization, the school shall foster respect and understanding for each individual. (Section 1002.36, Florida Statutes)

Values:

Integrity & Respect – The FSDB community is a cohesive group that serves with honor, care, kindness and responsibility.

Safety & Security – The FSDB community is committed to the protection and well-being of stakeholders.

Innovation – The FSDB community welcomes change and embraces a continuous improvement mindset to encourage new methods to solve problems and foster creativity and growth.

Trust – The FSDB community is committed to high quality services and accountability through honest, reliable and consistent actions.

Our benefits include:

• Automatic enrollment into the Florida Retirement System.
• Medical insurance coverage is $90 per pay period for family coverage; $25 per pay period for employee only.
• Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage.
• Low-cost supplemental benefit packages that include dental, vision, and much more.
• Professional development opportunities and ability to learn American Sign Language on campus at no cost.
• Tuition waiver program – earn up to 6 credit hours per semester at state universities.

How You Will Grow:

FSDB provides staff members with opportunities to grow professionally, enhancing their ability to support students' growth. School- and state-required training and skills development is offered both online and in-person for academic and non-academic staff members.

Condition of employment

Applicants under consideration for employment at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind will be required to complete background investigation. Fingerprints will be taken and sent to the Florida Department of Law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a background check of your criminal history record(s) at the state and national level. FSDB is a drug-free workplace.

TO APPLY: 

Applications accepted through People First only.

An attached resume is not a substitute for the information required on the application. It is the responsibility of all applicants to keep their application current.

All members of the Florida Retirement System are required to contribute 3% of their salary on a pre-tax basis.

To access additional information please log on to and in Keywords enter 48008536

Take this opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life and become part of a great School.   Apply today!

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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

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