Healthy Start Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Requisition No: 874661 

Agency: Department of Health

Working Title: HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR I - 64069865

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 64069865 

Salary:  $34,760.18 - $35,566.18 Annually 

Posting Closing Date: 06/15/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR I

Open Competitive Job Opportunity

Your Specific Responsibilities:

The incumbent is part of a global public health organization and is expected to support the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County in its mission to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts and its vision to be the Healthiest State in the Nation. Furthermore, the incumbent is expected to incorporate the agency values of Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Responsiveness and Excellence in all aspects of their work.

Provides care coordination services to assist pregnant women, interconception women, infants, and children up to the age of three to obtain the health care and social support needed to reduce the risks for poor maternal and child health outcomes.  This position will serve high risk pregnant women and children with health and safety concerns such as: mental illness, substance abuse, domestic violence, medical or developmental problems, and will also serve families under investigation for child abuse. Reviews assigned cases (prenatal/ infant screenings, referrals and transfers).

Completes client Initial Contacts and initiates a level of care at Initial Contact (E, 1, 2, and 3). Completes an Individualized Plan of Care for each client. Completes Initial Assessments as needed and reviews levels of service delivery. Provides Ongoing Care Coordination services including home visiting/tracking. Completes and updates Family Support Plans. Provides resource information and referrals to Healthy Start participants to offset risk factors. Provides wrap around educational services to Health Start participants including: smoking cessation, breastfeeding, parenting, and interconception education and counseling services. Completes contacts/attempts to contact within the timeframes outlined by the Florida Healthy Start Standards and Guidelines for Initial Contact, Initial Assessment, and Ongoing Care Coordination. Sends correspondence to clients and medical providers in accordance with Florida Healthy Start Standards and Guidelines. Completes case closures per Florida Healthy Start Standards and Guidelines.

Completes WellFamily System documentation and coding for services provided to Healthy Start participants. Screens pregnant women and postpartum women for depression using Edinburgh Depression Scale. Screens infants and children up to the age of three for developmental delays using Ages and Stages Questionnaires and provides appropriate referrals for further assessment/services as needed. Provides educational services to clients using curriculum required by the Healthy Start Coalition such as Mothers and Babies curriculum. Checks FLSHOTS as needed for client immunization history.

Interfaces with community partners to improve service delivery for Healthy Start participants. Completes EARS in HMS and Time Sheets in People First. Participates and assists with community activities and health fairs. Attends community meetings/internal committee meetings, DOH-Pasco, CNS and Healthy Start staff meetings as required.

Attends trainings as required to enhance professional development and improve client service delivery. Provides consultative services to community organizations, groups, or individuals regarding the Healthy Start program. Assists with special projects.

Performs other Duties as required.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Case management experience, knowledge of maternal/child health principles and basic parenting practices.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Effective interviewing and evaluation skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships.
• Basic clerical skills - including computer skills
• Knowledge of the impact of an intervention in relation to the special needs of substance abusing families and families with potential for or histories of domestic violence and/or child abuse.
• Ability to assist each participant adjust to their role as a caregiver and to manage stress.
• Ability to recognize a participant's stage of readiness to stop tobacco use and/or other substances and to provide appropriate intervention as required.
• Knowledge of child abuse and neglect indicators and the responsibility to report to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Knowledgeable of principles and techniques of verbal and written communication.

Qualifications:

Minimum: 

• Healthy Start Grant requires - Associate degree with three years of public health/maternal-child health experience, or licensure as a Licensed Practical Nurse with four years of public health/maternal-child health experience, or licensure as a Registered Nurse with three years of public health/maternal-child health experience, or a four-year college degree in social sciences, a health-related field, or social work.
• Valid Florida Driver's License

Florida Department of Health Mission, Vision, and Values:

Mission:

To protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county & community efforts.

Vision:

To be the Healthiest State in the Nation.

Values:

I nnovation: We search for creative solutions and manage resources wisely.

C ollaboration: We use teamwork to achieve common goals & solve problems.

A ccountability: We perform with integrity & respect.

R esponsiveness: We achieve our mission by serving our customers & engaging our partners.

E xcellence: We promote quality outcomes through learning & continuous performance improvement.

Where You Will Work:

7509 State Road 52, Hudson, FL 34667

The 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 including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;

Your take home pay can be significantly influenced by your insurance premiums. Compare your current premium with the State of Florida employee premiums!

• Monthly employee premium for the standard PPO/HMO:
• Single coverage is $50
• Family coverage is $180
• Monthly employee premium for the High Deductible Health Plan PPO/HMO:
• Single coverage is $15
• Family coverage is $64.30

• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• State of Florida Tuition Waiver Program;
• Professional Development Training Opportunities
• And much more!

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

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: http://www.sss.gov

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 successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system. E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.

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

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). 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.

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women. The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise. Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.

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.