Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Senior / Traveling

Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior Itinerant

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind is "working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces." DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation program assists individuals with visual disabilities achieve gainful employment and economic vitality through integration into the nation's workforce, while assisting businesses with accessibility training, consultation, recruitment, and retention of qualified employees. Together, these services lead to the greater employment of qualified Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision individuals and more accessible and diverse businesses.

The Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior Itinerant analyzes and assesses the adaptive skills of customers with Blindness, Deaf-Blindness, and Low Vision for their activities of daily living and employment readiness. As the Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation & Mobility subject matter expert, the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior Itinerant applies superior emerging and evolving technologies and training methods to current and future customers and employers. They recommend and help develop the curriculum and implement training methodologies to customers and employers seeking to accommodate their staff in accordance with Section 508 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This Itinerant position is unique in that it will provide intermittent training and support to customers across the state as case load and needs increase and support is necessary. This position also recruits, evaluates and manages vendors who provide specialized adaptive rehabilitation training and teaching to customers. It develops program standards related to Low Vision Evaluations, develops and monitors their budget for Low Vision kit and Adaptive Tools. It also provides adaptive education to businesses, customers, community partners, and employers.

Applicants can choose to work from one of many offices located in Washington State: Seattle, Tacoma, Lacey/Olympia, Vancouver, Spokane and Yakima.

Some of What You Will Enjoy Doing:

• Conducts comprehensive, in-depth assessments of all customers who are referred for vocational rehabilitation services.
• Assesses and measures customer's adjustment to vision loss, readiness for training. If issues arise, works with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and/or local VRS to address any issues or conflicts. Recommends and implements solutions, therapies, techniques, and tools to address low vision needs.
• Analyzes anticipated needs for aids and appliances and skills and techniques, and determines the most effective and cost-efficient way to provide training (internally and/or externally) through discussion with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), local VRS, internal team, and customer
• Facilitates the practice of "informed choice"
• Makes formal recommendations in the electronic case management system

Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior:

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology
• A current Orientation and Mobility (COMS) certification, and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required

OR

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology; AND
• Three (3) years of paid professional experience providing services that teach adaptive skills of blindness to the blind, low vision, or deaf blind individuals, including one year of supervisory or lead experience
• A current Orientation and Mobility (COMS) certification, and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required

How to Apply:

Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click "Apply" at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.

• A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
• A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.). Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify the information provided. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for details, or your application may be disqualified.

Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Services for the Blind, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.