Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist-Visual Skills/Living Skills

Summary This Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist‑Visual Skills/Living Skills position is located at the Gulf Coast Blind Rehabilitation Center (GCBRC) and provides supervision and subject matter expertise for the provision of blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members. Qualifications Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non‑citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: The individual must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in blind or vision rehabilitation or a closely related program. Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree not in these majors but supplemented by at least 30 semester hours of directly related upper‑level undergraduate courses and one full year of directly related graduate level coursework. Foreign Graduates: Must have proof of a minimum bachelor’s degree or equivalent with specialization in blind rehabilitation. Certification: Required at the GS‑11 grade level and above. Must possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted certification granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) or an equivalent credential. BRS who provide the following services must obtain ACVREP certification as follows: Orientation and mobility training – Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) Communication and daily living therapy – Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) Low vision therapy – Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) Assistive Technology – Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS) Grade Determinations: Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist GS‑12. Experience: Minimum one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS‑11 grade level. Certification: Must meet the certification requirements listed above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Must demonstrate the following KSAs: a) Plan, direct, mentor, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or Blind Rehabilitation Specialists at lower grade levels. b) Act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as a consultant, supervisor, and/or mentor in evaluating and treating Veterans in specialty or program areas. c) Coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. d) Disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with Veterans, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. f) Identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. g) Apply decision‑making principles to adjust programs on a day‑to‑day basis, develop short‑term and long‑range goals, and plan for future utilization of resources. h) Plan, develop, and administer complex treatment programs. Preferred Experience: Experience as a Certified Low Vision Therapist and a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. Mentoring interns, solid customer service skills, and supervisory experience are also preferred. Physical Requirements: Typical for the occupation. May include standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May require wearing personal protective equipment and annual TB screening. Work Environment: Office/clinic setting with normal safety precautions. Able to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. Exposure to heat and cold. Duties Oversee the work of Blind Rehabilitation Specialists (GS‑9 to GS‑11) by applying knowledge of blind and vision rehabilitation to assessment, treatment, and follow‑up. Demonstrate knowledge in low vision, orientation and mobility, living skills, manual skills, and computer access training, and incorporate these into individualized treatment programs. Assist other section supervisors in scheduling Veterans’ treatment programs; manage weekly and daily staff teaching schedules and Veteran assignments. Schedules regular treatment team and departmental meetings. Works with an interdisciplinary team to develop comprehensive treatment plans for residents seeking rehabilitation services. Participate in family training programs to promote personal development of patients after returning home. Develop in‑service education for blind individuals and families to increase understanding of blindness and the rehabilitation process. Assign departmental duties, set priorities, and schedule for completion. Resolve instructor problems or complaints; advise, counsel, and instruct employees on work and administrative matters. Ensure staff submit required progress notes, reports, and summaries in a timely fashion; conduct audits for completeness and accuracy. Oversee internship training of university trainees assigned to the team and orient them to GCBRC. Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 07:30 am–4:00 pm (subject to change based on service needs). Recruitment Incentive (Sign‑on Bonus): Not authorized. Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized. Pay: Competitive salary and regular increases. Paid Time Off: 37‑50 days of annual paid time per year (13‑26 days annual leave, 13 days sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays). Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior work or military service experience. Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment – up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster care placement. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment – eligible full‑time employees with total family income below $144,000 may receive subsidy up to 25% of eligible childcare costs, capped at $416.66 per month. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5‑year vesting) and federal 401(k) with up to 5% employer contribution. Insurance: Federal health, vision, dental, term life, long‑term care. Many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement. Telework: Available per supervisor discretion. Virtual: Not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 520‑01301‑F. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized. #J-18808-Ljbffr