Vision Rehabilitation Specialist

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Blind Services

Job Classification Title

Vision Rehabilitation Specialist (NS)

Position Number

60043165

Grade

NC09

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

The position provides instruction in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) for adults and teens who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. Many consumers have lost vision and attend the DSB Career and Training Center to learn skills that will enable them to become independent at home, in their community, and at work, thereby improving their quality of life. The O&M teacher provides direct instruction on independent travel skills at home and in the community to help individuals obtain gainful employment and enhance their quality of life. Specific teaching assignments will be individualized and will change based on the needs of each consumer. Teachers work in teams to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary training experience for all students at the DSB Career and Training Center, both virtually and in person.

Job Description: The O&M instructor should be able to teach:

• Guide techniques, indoor techniques, and cane techniques
• Orientation concepts: route travel, block travel, street crossing, and transportation
• Transportation planning: taxi, city bus, paratransit, train, buses, Lyft, and Uber
• Travel techniques for individuals with low vision
• Technology for travel
• An overview of current navigation apps
• Provide focused instruction aligned with the consumer's Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
• Teach students how to travel independently at home and in the community
• Differentiate instructional strategies and content to effectively teach individuals who have lost vision from a wide variety of backgrounds and with varying learning styles and readiness levels
• Complete assessments and develop lesson plans using lectures, tactile, auditory, and visual demonstrations, field trips, and virtual learning experiences for students enrolled in orientation and mobility classes
• Compose verbal and timely written reports; create and/or administer effective assessments; and document student progress and goal setting in the case management system
• Stay abreast of current trends, new products, and mobility apps for individuals who are visually impaired
• Work collaboratively with Center teachers and staff to assist consumers in achieving their academic or professional goals
• Participate as a member of the staff team, including assisting during mealtimes, attending planning and progress meetings, and participating in in-service trainings
• Develop competencies across subject areas to assist with coverage during staff absences and co-teach with other faculty to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary learning experience for students remotely and in person
• Work with students and consumers who use service animals

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $41,206.00 - $72,113.00

Recruitment Range: $41,206.00 - $67,187.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred:

• Experience in teaching orientation and mobility (O&M) for visually impaired students to reach their goals of independence, education, or employment.
• Experience in effective instructional strategies teaching specialized skills for teens and adults who are visually impaired, blind, and may have other secondary disabilities.
• At least one year of experience working with individuals with visual impairments.

Position is funded in part through federal funds.

Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.

About the NC Division of Services for the Blind (DSB):

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf- blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.

Compensation and Benefits:

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits.

Supplemental Contact Information:

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: .

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.

• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.

• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.

• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.

• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.

• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at .

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans' and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.

• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of their DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at .... Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in visual impairment field from an appropriately accredited institution and certification by the Academy for Certification of Education and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) as:

(1) Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT), or

(2) Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, or

(3) Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), or

(4) Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist as needed for the area of assignment;

OR

Bachelor's degree in a related field such as rehabilitation counseling or social work and three years of direct service experience with individuals who are blind or visually impaired and certification as indicated above as needed for the area of assignment.

Applicants who do not possess certification are required to obtain certification within two years from the date of employment. Management has the option of choosing certification requirements based on the area of assignment in order to meet the needs of the clients and the program. Recruitment announcements should reflect only one of the certification requirements.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Charlene Michele Moore

Email:

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