[Massachusetts-NFB] Employment Opportunity: Assistive Technology Specialist (Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

Sat Apr 27 02:58:26 UTC 2024

https://massanf.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=240004AX

Job Description - Assistive Technology Specialist (240004AX)

The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) is recruiting for an Assistive Technology Specialist.  As an Assistive Technology Specialist, you will provide guidance and recommendations to case managers about unique assistive technology (AT) solutions based on comprehensive surveys and evaluations of consumers’ technology and/or low vision needs for individuals who are legally blind.  You will support consumers in reaching their established rehabilitation goals and objectives using assistive technology tools and solutions to increase the achievement of vocational and/or independent living and other goals. As the subject matter expert for agency staff and individuals from other organizations, you will coordinate, deliver, implement, support, and provide training and manage these assistive technology solutions. To be successful in this role, you must have excellent communication skills, a problem solver, and have exceptional customer service and relationship management skills. The Assistive Technology specialist travels three days per week throughout assigned areas in the Southern region of the state to provide services to consumers in their homes, job locations, and other settings as needed.  

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):

·       Conduct analyses of consumers’ environments, including, but not limited to, worksites, schools, and homes, and the consumers’ AT and/or low vision needs.

·       Make recommendations that address consumers’ needs related to equipment deployment, modification or repair, and systems analysis. 

·       Document recommendations and submit analyses and detailed reports in electronic and/or print formats via the agency’s consumer tracking system. 

·       Adapt consumers’ environments with AT devices and software as necessary, including PC adaptations that interface with local and wide-area networks, utilizing various operating systems.

·       Perform adaptive hardware and software installations utilizing a variety of adaptive hardware and software. Including, but not limited to, speech synthesis systems, screen magnification software, braille printers and displays, optical character recognition systems, and other adaptive hardware and           software              products, as well as needed customizations.  

·       Provide guidance and recommendations about unique assistive technology solutions for consumers to MCB case managers. 

·       Coordinate AT services and support across various areas and disciplines at the agency as assigned by the supervisor. 

·       Conduct technology training with consumers, staff, employer supervisory staff, and other individuals as requested and assigned. 

·       Provide support and training to consumers and their employers in utilizing and maintaining adaptive devices and software and in mainstream software applications.

·       Research the most appropriate AT solution(s) for consumers and procure AT devices accordingly. 

·       Troubleshoot hardware and software and communicate with vendors, manufacturers, or other representatives to solve any issues that arise with AT. 

·       Prepare reports on consumer and job surveys, installations, and training. 

·       Coordinate with MCB staff, consumers’ families, and staff at various worksites and other state agencies, schools, and the public to address consumer needs. 

·       Provide updates to and coordinate discussions with MCB case workers and representatives from the consumer’s school and/or worksite when applicable. 

·       Meets with supervisor to discuss progress, goals, and practices. 

·       Sign out equipment electronically, obtain necessary signatures, and track and maintain serial numbers, activation codes, property tags, and other related items. 

·       Provide process-control feedback and suggestions for MCB procedures, methods, and documentation. 

·       Participate in speaking engagements and customized training sessions regarding AT as assigned.

·       Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Required Qualifications:

·       A thorough understanding of the Federal/State Vocational Rehabilitation Program and the principles of rehabilitation for the blind is required.

·       Ability to deal with sensitive, emotional, or potentially controversial interpersonal situations, which may entail working with others to overcome resistance and/or change behavior.

·       Knowledge of consumer service delivery systems.

·       Proficiency with disability-related issues.

·       Experience with marketing planning and management processes.

·       Knowledge of the Commission for the Blind mission, goals, objectives, services, and programs and capable of explaining the agency's vision, mission, and service policy position.

·       Knowledge of the principles and practices of management.

·       Knowledge of team building practices.

·       Proficiency with adult learning theories, including training techniques, curriculum design, and delivery.

·       Ability to develop and implement electronic reporting marketing, consumer services communication activity, and training strategies and processes.

·       Capability to design and implement policy, program development, and evaluation processes.

·       Aptitude to interpret policies and procedures and respond to requests for information.

·       Capacity to respond to policy issues identified by the Director of Programs, Deputy Commissioner, or Commissioner.

·       Proficient with interpreting statistical data correctly and drawing sound conclusions.

·       Proficiency with working and communicating with high-level state officials and other interested parties.

·       Ability to understand, apply, and explain pertinent laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

·       Ability to mediate conflicts, coordinate competing interests, and work under time constraints.

·       Experienced with successfully solving problems, building consensus, and resolving conflicts.

Preferred Qualifications

•   Advanced knowledge of magnification software, braille, and speech output devices.

•   Advanced knowledge of job site evaluation techniques and processes. 

•   Advanced knowledge of vocational rehabilitation processes and techniques. 

•   Knowledge of MCB policies, procedures, specifications, standards, and guidelines of the Assistive Technology Unit.

About the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB):

The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB), established by the Legislature, provides a wide range of social, rehabilitative, and other services to legally blind residents of Massachusetts in accordance with M.G.L. c6, sections 129-149, inclusive. The agency is empowered by statute to cooperate with the United States Department of Education to administer the Vocational Rehabilitation Act.  

MCB services may address several varied needs of individual blind persons, including Vocational Rehabilitation assistance for those seeking to gain or regain employment; Independent Living Social services for those seeking to maintain personal independence in the community; and specialized services to children who are blind, adults who are Deaf-Blind/Multi-handicapped, and elders who are blind. MCB keeps a register of legally blind state residents. Increasingly, blindness is a byproduct of the aging process. The fastest-growing segment of the MCB consumer population is that of persons over the age of 65. Approximately 30,000 legally blind people are registered with the agency, including 3000 blind children.

The Commission for the Blind is committed to increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of Commission programs and services. Under increasingly difficult budget constraints and stakeholder/consumer partnerships, MCB continues to provide its consumers with the highest quality rehabilitation services.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4.

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