Vision Rehabilitation Specialist Senior (In-Training)

Company:  State of Washington
Location: Pasco
Closing Date: 25/10/2024
Hours: Full Time
Type: Permanent
Job Requirements / Description
Salary: $3,728.00 - $6,876.00 Monthly
Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2024-DSB-020
Department: Dept. of Services for the Blind
Opening Date: 09/03/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step
Description
**Contact Information: Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Aggie Swanson at (360) 407-7918 or email
NOTE: This recruitment will be used to fill two (2) vacancies in two (2) different locations: Yakima County and Clark County. This position can be located within a three-hour commute and alternative duty station. The ability to travel is required for this role. Additionally, the Hiring Team may make a hiring decision at any time. It is in your best interest to apply at your earliest convenience. The DSB supports a hybrid remote work and flexible schedule opportunities.
DSB Relocation Allotment: DSB offers, upon approval, a relocation bonus and allotment for those staff relocating and needing to make the move to, or across the beautiful state of Washington to join our team.
Who we are: The goal of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is to assist in the stable employment and increased independence of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision customers. DSB provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who have a visual disability to pursue employment, education, and independent living. Our mission is "Working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and work places."
What you will be doing: As a Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior, your role will involve analyzing and evaluating the adaptive skills of individuals with Blindness, Deaf-Blindness, and Low Vision to enhance their daily living activities and employment readiness. You will serve as a subject matter expert in Rehabilitation Teaching, Orientation & Mobility, employing cutting-edge technologies and training methods to support both current and future customers and employers. Your responsibilities will include recommending and contributing to curriculum development, implementing training methodologies, and ensuring compliance with Section 508 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Additionally, you will play a pivotal role in recruiting, assessing, and managing vendors offering specialized adaptive rehabilitation training. This position will also require you oversee organization and inventory for Low Vision and Adaptive Tools, and provide adaptive education to various stakeholders, including businesses, customers, community partners, and employers.
Duties
Some of what you'll enjoy doing includes:
  • Conduct comprehensive assessments of customers' vocational rehabilitation needs, including disability, family support, education/work history, and adaptive skills.
  • Collaborate with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) to address issues and recommend solutions, therapies, and tools for low vision needs.
  • Provide information and referrals to community resources and facilitate informed choice in service selection.
  • Develop individualized training plans, coordinate assessment results with the team, and communicate training objectives and expectations to customers.
  • Arrange training, monitor progress, and adjust plans as needed, testing and measuring customer competencies.
  • Serve as a regional and statewide resource, educating community partners and employers on adaptive tools and techniques.
  • Offer consultation, presentations, and technical assistance to community service providers for the application and use of adaptive tools and training.
  • Once fully trained by DSB this position may lead onboarding, training, and development of lower-level vision rehabilitation staff, ensuring competency across skill sets.
  • Manage ongoing training requests and employee retention training, coordinating with Regional Area Managers.
  • Lead statewide process review and improvement efforts, while independently performing comprehensive low vision evaluations and coordinating recommendations to vocational rehabilitation customers and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors.
  • Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
This position may be filled at the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry, Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey, or Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior level, depending on qualifications. Advancement to the next level will be based upon the successful completion of an established In-Training Plan. Low Vision Evaluation and professional development of these skills are provided by DSB as the successful candidate progresses in their position.
What is an in-training plan? The in-training is intended to provide an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal "in-training" plan. Upon successful completion of an in-training program, the incumbent will move up to the next job classification that is listed on the in-training plan if applicable.
Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry
To qualify for this specific Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry level position, a candidate must possess the following:
  • A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology;
  • NOTE: Two (2) years of experience in social services or providing services to individuals who are blind, low vision or deaf blind will substitute for two (2) years of the required education.
  • For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.
Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey
To qualify for this specific Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey level position, a candidate must possess one (1) of the following qualification combination options:
(OPTION 1):
  • A Master's Degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.
(OPTION 2):
  • A 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
  • Two (2) years of paid professional experience providing services that teach adaptive skill of blindness to the blind, low vision, or deaf blind individuals.
  • For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.
Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior
To qualify for this specific Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior level position, a candidate must possess one (1) of the following qualification combination options:
(OPTION 1):
  • A 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.
  • For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.
(OPTION 2):
  • A 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.
  • For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.
The salary ranges for each level of the position is as follows:
  • Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry: ($3,728 - $4,987 per month)
  • Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey: ($4,299 - $5,783 per month)
  • Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior: ($5,117 - $6,876 per month)
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
  • Effective in conducting superior work with a high degree of independence and autonomy.
  • Demonstrates superior documentation and qualify of work.
Supplemental Information
Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:
  • 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)
NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. 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 application. Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.
Conditions of employment:
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. 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.
Union Inclusion: This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
Opportunity for All: The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 12-31-2022
01
Are you currently employed with Department of Services for the Blind (DSB)?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Are you willing to undergo a background check as a condition of employment?
  • Yes
  • No

03
Do you have experience working with the Blind, Deaf-Blind, and Low Vision adult population?
  • Yes
  • No

04
To which position(s) are you applying for?
  • Yakima County only
  • Clark County only
  • Both Yakima and Clark Counties
  • None of these apply.

05
What is your level of education?
  • Some or no college.
  • 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits) in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.
  • 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits) in an unrelated field.
  • Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.
  • Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits) in an unrelated field.
  • 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits) in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.
  • 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits) in an unrelated field.
  • Bachelor's degree in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.
  • Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
  • Masters degree or higher in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.
  • Masters degree or higher in an unrelated field.
  • None of these apply.

06
Which of the following best describes your work experience providing orientation and mobility skills to the Blind, Deaf-Blind, or Low Vision population?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 or more years
  • 2 or more years
  • 3 or more years
  • 4 or more years
  • 5 or more years
  • 6 or more years
  • 7 or more years
  • I do not have this experience.

07
How many years of paid professional experience do you have with providing services that teach adaptive skills of blindness to the blind, low vision, or deaf blind individuals?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 or more years
  • 2 or more years
  • 3 or more years
  • 4 or more years
  • 5 or more years
  • 6 or more years
  • 7 or more years
  • I do not have this experience.

08
How many years of supervisory experience do you have within your paid professional experience providing services that teach adaptive skills of blindness to the blind, low vision, or deaf blind individuals?
  • Less than 1 year
  • 1 or more years
  • 2 or more years
  • 3 or more years
  • 4 or more years
  • 5 or more years
  • 6 or more years
  • 7 or more years
  • I do not have this experience.

09
Have you completed a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours of coursework in an accredited Orientation and Mobility program?
  • Yes
  • No

10
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please list the number of credit hours completed in an accredited Orientation and Mobility program. If you answered no, indicate "N/A" in the space below.
11
Do you have a current Orientation and Mobility certification?
  • Yes
  • No

12
If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please list the current Orientation and Mobility certification(s) you have. If you answered no, indicate "N/A" in the space below.
13
Please describe any extra certifications or endorsements that would benefit this job listing. If this does not apply, indicate "N/A".
14
Please verify that you have included the following information in addition to your online application: 1) A complete resume; AND 2) A letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications listed for this position.
  • Yes
  • No

15
How did you hear about this job posting?
  • Careers.wa.gov
  • Friend
  • College Job Board
  • LinkedIn
  • Indeed
  • Other

16
If you selected College Job Board or Other, please let us know the name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position. If you selected a specific job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a".
Required Question
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