The therapist provides functional skills and job coaching groups, conducts rehabilitation assessments, and implements 1:1 skill training for adults with severe mental illness. Additionally, the role involves coordinating community outings and transporting patients via a 15-passenger van.
Requirements summary
A bachelor's degree in an allied health or behavioral science field is preferred, though five years of professional therapeutic experience can substitute. A valid Class E Driver's License is required for the position.
06/12/2026 Total Compensation Estimator ToolThe Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the state of Florida’s social services agency. The agency oversees services for child safety, fostering, adoption, domestic violence, adult protective services, refugees, homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, childcare providers, human trafficking and public assistance. The agency’s mission is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. Within DCF, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health (SAMH) Program office is recognized as the single state authority for substance abuse and mental health services. The Office of SAMH is statutorily responsible for the planning, evaluation, and implementation of a comprehensive statewide system of care for the prevention, treatment, and recovery of children and adults with serious mental illnesses or substance use disorders. Northeast Florida State Hospital (NEFSH) is a 613-bed, licensed mental health treatment facility that provides person-centered services to adults suffering from severe and persistent mental illness. The hospital, located in Macclenny, was established in 1959 and is the largest state operated civil treatment facility. NORTHEAST FLORIDA STATE HOSPITAL IS A TOBACCO FREE FACILITY. TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION RESPONSES TO THE QUALIFYING QUESTIONS ARE REQUIRED AND MUST BE VERIFIABLE BASED ON YOUR SUBMITTED APPLICATION. This is a highly responsible and professional position serving as a Rehabilitation Therapist - OPS within the Recovery Unit. The ideal candidate will be a collaborative team player who works seamlessly across all sections within the program office. This role requires the use of independent judgment, a proactive approach to responsibilities, and exceptional attention to detail. If you are driven, organized, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we encourage you to apply. Specific Duties and Responsibilities include:
To increase delivery of direct treatment services by professional staff, the incumbent will provide 20 hours per week of functional skills and/or job coaching groups by planning, coordinating, and conducting same to include simulation exercises and classroom activities.
Benefits
Competitive Employee Benefits Package
Incumbent will also conduct reinforcer activities with the people we serve, based on their progress toward functional skills acquisition.
To improve adaptive functioning of the individuals we serve, the incumbent actively participates in the treatment process by completing Rehabilitation Assessments, monitors performance, provides written observation, outcomes, and recommendations for future treatment.
Provides information to individuals' Service Teams.
To improve adaptive functioning of the individuals we serve, the incumbent will develop task analysis and conduct skill training and 1:1 services in a learning environment.
To ensure optimum customer satisfaction, the incumbent participates/conducts community field trips, Invivo activities special hospital-wide activities and operates drop-in areas as scheduled.
Will Operate a 15-passenger van to transport persons served in community outings.
To implement an outcome-oriented management system, the incumbent attends meetings, seminars, and training sessions as required.
Participates in on-going in-service education for professional development.
Assists in the escorting and monitoring of the people we serve.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: required for the position:
Knowledge of the principles and practices of one of the allied health field disciplines or one of the rehabilitative sciences.
Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
Ability to interview clients to identify needs.
Ability to plan and conduct rehabilitation therapy programs.
Ability to prepare reports.
Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
Ability to write evaluation and progress reports.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Minimum Qualifications
A bachelor's degree is preferred from an accredited college or university with a major in an allied health field, one of the behavioral or rehabilitative sciences, music therapy, music education, or music, physical education with course work in adaptive physical education, vocational education, sociology, trades and arts education, industrial arts education, leisure studies with course work in therapeutic recreation, or horticulture therapy. Five years of professional experience in a therapeutic setting providing educational, therapeutic services, or career guidance can substitute for the preferred college education. In accordance with Florida Statute 322, possession of a Classified Driver's License (Class E Driver’s license).
Candidate Profile (application) Requirements
Candidate Profile (application) must be complete in its entirety.
Work History - entered with the most recent/current listed first
Any and all State of Florida jobs Any and all Florida University jobs All periods of employment Periods of unemployment Gaps 3 months or more
Education Volunteer Experience
Include supervisor names and phone numbers including current place of employment. *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.
Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
If claiming Right to First Interview, candidate MUST attach a copy of your official layoff letter when applying.
This only applies to employees laid off from Career Service positions.
If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287. Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits. For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
DCF EMPLOYMENT DISCLOSURES US CITIZEN REQUIREMENT Only US citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers will be hired.
SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM REGISTRATION All selected male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS).
Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire.
For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov. RETIREE NOTICE If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.
Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.
BACKGROUND SCREENING It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S.
No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency.
Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.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.
