[Job-Listings] Job Posting - Senior Services Specialist for the Blind 1/Employment Supports Specialist Iowa

Tue Jul 26 21:48:41 UTC 2022

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Iowa Department for the Blind Logo

 <https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/3553111/senior-services-specialist-for-the-blind-1-employment-supports-specialist?department%5B0%5D=131+Iowa+Department+for+the+Blind&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> Senior Services Specialist for the Blind 1/Employment Supports Specialist

Salary: $51,292.80 - $78,124.80 Annually
Location: Des Moines
Job Type:  Full-time
Agency:  131 Iowa Department for the Blind
Job Number: 22-03677
Closing:  August 4, 2022 at 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag: #LI-DNP  
Point of Contact:   <mailto:Keri.osterhaus at blind.state.ia.us> Keri Osterhaus
 <https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/3553111/senior-services-specialist-for-the-blind-1-employment-supports-specialist?department%5B0%5D=131+Iowa+Department+for+the+Blind&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> To Apply:  All candidates are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter and resume. For more information, contact VR Program Administrator, Keri Osterhaus at  <mailto:Keri.osterhaus at blind.state.ia.us> Keri.osterhaus at blind.state.ia.us

Job Description:

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Department for the Blind.  Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and Selective Requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.  

The Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking applicants for the position of Senior Services Specialist for the Blind 1/ Employment Supports Specialist. As a member of the Vocational Rehabilitation team, this position will be based in Des Moines, Iowa and may travel multiple days per week to serve clients statewide. This position will provide services to clients with the most significant disabilities, in addition to providing training and outreach to community partners to ensure quality services are provided to IDB clients. Ideal candidates will possess strong relationship, communication, organization and time management skills in addition to having solid documentation skills.

Duties and responsibilities to include the following areas:

*	Client Services 

*	Engage clients and establishes trusting, collaborative relationships directed toward the goal of competitive and integrated employment in community job settings.
*	Collaborate with vocational rehabilitation counselors to identify the supports individual clients need to engage in successful and meaningful employment.
*	Use a Customized Employment process (Discovery, Job Search Planning, Job Development and Negotiation, and Post-Employment Support) to direct, assist and support a client in obtaining and maintaining successful employment.
*	Conduct Customized Employment plan development meetings with clients and their support teams to map out a plan for seeking and negotiating a customized employment position for the client.
*	Assist client to effectively identify and explain their qualifications, interests, strengths, and accommodation needs to their employer, co-workers, and services providers to facilitate job success.
*	Identify and discuss employment barriers with applicants and counsel clients about possible solutions to employment barriers and available supportive services.
*	Identify needed training in non-visual techniques and rehabilitation technology that will allow client to be more independent and successful in employment settings.

*	Capacity Building 

*	Conduct employer contacts weekly to learn about the needs of businesses, describe supports offered by the program and describe client strengths that are relevant to the position.
*	Provide education and support to employers as agreed upon by clients, which may include negotiating job accommodations and follow-along contact with the employer.
*	Work closely with employers to coach clients and provide appropriate interventions. Negotiate with employers to develop training positions including salary and training elements. Prepare and monitor on the job activities.
*	Provide training related to customized employment strategies, supported employment services, rehabilitation technology services, and short-term services to IDB staff and community partners and providers.
*	Provide ongoing support and technical assistance to community rehabilitation providers to ensure quality services are being provided to IDB clients.
*	Monitor customized employment services, supported employment services and short-term services being provided to IDB clients, including reviewing and analyzing reports.

*	Caseload Management and Coordination: 

*	Participate in face-to-face meetings with vocational rehabilitation counselors at least once a month to coordinate services for clients who are blind.
*	Schedule time to spend 55% or more of scheduled work hours in the community. For example, meets clients at community locations such as home, workplace, coffee shop, meeting with potential employers, library, One-Stop, VR office, family home, etc. or takes clients to apply for jobs, investigate local GED or colleges, etc.
*	Document placement activities (e.g., develop and maintain case notes regarding job placement activities and services, citing employer contacts, job leads provided, and job development activities) and provide written reports of job placement results activities for the client VR case record.
*	Provide consistent vocational assessments to assist clients to be successful in a job/jobs.
*	Research and develop community contacts that help with appropriate job placements.
*	Complete data/reporting pertaining to program measurements and submit reports to the VR program administrator.

 Essential Functions:

*	Coordinate services for VR clients with VR counselors, clients, community rehabilitation providers, employers, and other team members regarding vocational objectives and support needs.
*	Communicate in written, oral, and presentation formats with educators, community rehabilitation providers, internal partners and employers about equipment modifications, accommodations, and alternative techniques that help persons who are blind succeed.
*	Interpret and analyze assessment data (inventories, client skills and interests, barriers to employment, accommodation and training needs and supports) to develop goals and activities to assist clients to obtain gainful employment.
*	Develop and implement approaches to help individuals who are blind explore career alternatives, find and interview for available jobs, and keep and/or advance in current jobs.
*	Conduct work-site assessments and job analysis at clients' workplaces or potential workplaces across the state of Iowa in order to identify potential barriers and resources.
*	Travel up to 5 days a week within the state in order to meet with clients, educators and other professionals and stakeholders to perform the work of the position.
*	Complete data/reporting pertaining to program measurements.

It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment.

Selectives:

752 Vocational Rehabilitation 
6 months’ experience, 12 semester hours, or a combination of both that specifically relates to employment and training services for individuals with disabilities. That knowledge base will include an awareness of the unique needs of this population, laws relating to discrimination or reasonable accommodations, assistive technology, and an understanding of employment and training systems and services, especially as provided in Iowa.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in human service-oriented sciences, education, marketing or business and experience equal to three years of full time professional work;

OR

the equivalent of three years of full-time experience as a rehabilitation counselor or teacher shall be considered as qualifying provided the employee has successfully completed training to meet the certification criteria established by the agency;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time professional work experience for each year of the required education to a maximum substitution of four years.  

For additional information, please click on this  <https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/class_and_pay/JobClassDescriptions/SeniorServicesSpecialistfortheBlind1-41151.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> link to view the job description.  <https://get.adobe.com/reader/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery> (Download PDF reader)

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Phone: 515-281-1333
E-mail:  <mailto:information at blind.state.ia.us> information at blind.state.ia.us

Iowa Department for the Blind
524 Fourth Street
Des Moines, IA 50309-2364

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