Job Description

Requisition No: 863298 

Agency: Military Affairs

Working Title: Counselor

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 62000393 

Salary: $43,632.68 

Posting Closing Date: 11/07/2025 

Total Compensation Estimator 

Department of Military Affairs

*** OPEN COMPETITIVE***

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 11:59 p.m. on closing date

VACANCY # 62000393

LOCATION: STARKE, FL

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS (DMA)

The mission of the Florida Department of Military Affairs is to provide management oversight of the Florida National Guard and provide units and personnel ready to support national security objectives; to protect the public safety of citizens and to contribute to the national, state and community programs that add value to the United States of America and to the State of Florida.

FLORIDA YOUTH CHALLENGE ACADEMY

The Florida Youth Challenge Academy’s mission is to provide a highly disciplined and motivational environment, free from outside distractions, which fosters academics, leadership, development, personal growth, self-esteem and physical fitness for qualifying high school dropouts. The Academy consists of an operational staff and cadre with in-depth military experience, certified instructors from the Clay County School District system, a registered nurse, counselors and recruitment and placement personnel.

OUR BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Dental, vision and supplemental insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Vacation and sick leave
• Paid holidays
• Opportunities for career advancement
• Tuition waiver for public college courses
• Training opportunities
• For benefit information available to State of Florida employees, go to

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. New employees of the Department of Military Affairs will be required to pass a pre-employment drug screening.
2. New employees of the Department of Military Affairs are required to participate in a direct deposit/electronic transfer program. 
3. The Department of Military Affairs is paid on a monthly basis.
4. This position is a Cooperative Agreement position.
5. As a CANDIDATE, you may be required to provide documentation (i.e. High School Diploma or Equivalency, College Transcripts, ETC.) to verify meeting these Minimum Qualifications.
6. Must be able to pass a Department of Juvenile Justice Background screening/test.
7. Must have and maintain a valid State of Florida Driver’s License.
8. Must possess or be able to obtain First Aid/CPR certification within six months of employment.

*NOTE*

To be considered for this position, application must be fully completed, your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process and clearly stated within the employment history.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A high school diploma or equivalent; AND
• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in Counseling, Social Work, Human Services, Case Management, or related field.
• Education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Must have a valid State of Florida driver’s license.
• Must possess or be able to obtain First Aid/CPR certification within 2 months of employment.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide personal counseling to cadets in processing personal issues; so, they may meet their goals, including retention counseling, administration, and analysis of psychological indicators, as well as referrals to outside services.

• Provide vocational counseling to cadets in assessing possibilities for cadet placement as well as follow through until cadet placement at graduation.
• Consult with parents and act as a resource person on the growth and development of cadets.
• Teach curriculum in life and job skills to enhance the cadet’s opportunity to be successful at a job, in continued education or military, to include basic life skills for living and working.
• Review applications and participate in the interview process of prospective cadets to assist team members with determining whether or not the program is adequate for the child.
• Assist with program orientation and interviews pertaining to education, when required.
• Record and maintain confidential documents for cadet’s files according to FLYCA procedures.
• Provide placement services to students by assisting them in making appropriate choices of schools, courses of study and transition preparation from FLYCA to secondary education, vocational schools, or employment.
• Provide liaison services between community service office representatives.
• Conduct community outreach and extracurricular activities.
• Provide guidance and support to cadets in dual-enrollment program.
• Provide liaison services between community service office representatives and FLYCA.
• Conduct community outreach and extracurricular activities; as desired, such as participation in anger management classes and other committees offered at FLYCA.
• Provide guidance and support to cadets in dual-enrollment program.
• Provide direct liaison with St. John’s River State College and adjunct instructor on a continuous basis to maintain a seamless flow of classes during cadet’s residential phase.
• Assist cadets who qualify for admissions and counsel cadets concerning any potential entrance exams.
• Coordinate class load for dual-enrollment and schedule dates for classes.
• Responsible for inventory of textbooks and any photocopied materials requested by the instructor.
• Provide assistance to cadets in researching, qualifying, applying for scholarships and provide support and guidance to cadets interested in education after graduation.
• Develop, prepare and participate in “Parent Challenge Workshops” to aid cadet’s families in the development of skills and understanding how to better assist their cadet post-placement.
• Develop relationships with organizations outside of the FLYCA to aid in the recruitment of future applicants.
• Attends additional training and/or workshops as related to counseling.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:  

• Knowledge of the theories and practices in counseling.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication.
• Knowledge of the methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data.
• Knowledge of medical and psychological aspects of disability groups.
• Skills in developing plans for programs or projects.
• Skills in the use of conflict resolution techniques.
• Skills in the use of interpersonal communication techniques.
• Skills in using interviewing procedures.
• Skills in encouraging group participation.
• Skills in directing and coordinating activities of cadets.
• Skills in conducting patient assessments.
• Skills in evaluating patient responses to therapy.
• Skills to follow patient observation procedures.
• Ability to establish relationships and accept individual differences.
• Ability to provide counseling to individuals and in groups.
• Ability to interview clients in order to determine eligibility for education and vocational services.
• Ability to compile, organize and analyze psychological data.
• Ability to provide counseling and guidance in the area of career planning.
• Ability to develop individual educational and vocational programs.
• Ability to assess test results.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to use and analyze information from the management information system.
• Ability to understand and use State and Federal educational and vocational regulations and policies.
• Ability to use automated systems.

SPECIAL REMINDERS:

The State of Florida and The Department of Military Affairs participate in the E-Verify program. Federal law requires that all employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of any person hired to work in the United States.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website:

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

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 canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

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.

The Department of Military Affairs values and supports employment of individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

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

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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