[NABS-L] summer positions at the Iowa Department for the Blind

[Shawn Mayo]

If you want to  pass along  your belief in blindness and teach nonvisual
skills to blind teenagers while having fun and getting paid, please apply to
work at the Iowa Department for the Blind this summer! The info is below and
applications are due Monday, January 15, 2018.

 

Iowa Department for the Blind 

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

 

Summer Youth Counselor 

POSTING DATE: December 21, 2017

Closing Date: January 15, 2018

Location: Des Moines, Iowa

PART TIME/FULL TIME STATUS: up to 12 Temporary/Full-Time Positions

 

SALARY: $16.20/hr. Expected total salary to be approximately $7,500. 

 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

 

Temporary Summer Youth Counselors will support the mission, vision and
values of the Iowa Department for the Blind. Counselors will mentor youth
ages 14-21 during IDB's two month residential summer program. Roles will be
assigned based on staff skills and interests, but will include assisting to
teach alternative techniques of blindness through classes such as braille,
cane travel, assistive technology, home and personal management and
woodshop, or teaching alternative techniques of blindness through assisting
students in their apartments and during evening and weekend activities. 

 

Examples of duties:

 

Support student learning through braille, technology, home management, shop
and cane travel instruction.

Reinforce blindness skills learned in Orientation Center classes through
assisting students with daily living tasks, meal planning and preparation,
laundry, homework, and cleaning and organizing apartments.

Assist students in participating in activities in the community such as
eating at restaurants, shopping, bowling and rock climbing. Reinforce proper
cane technique and other nonvisual skills during these activities.

Serve as a role model to students in the use of nonvisual techniques and
problem-solving skills.

Ensure safety of students by monitoring student behavior and the student
living areas.

Communicate with other summer program staff regarding student needs and
progress. Document student progress including written student reports at the
end of the summer. 

Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Essential functions of this position:

 

Demonstrate and promote a positive philosophy of blindness

Monitor student behavior and living areas

Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in the English language.

Demonstrate proper use of the long White cane

Read and write braille

Actively participate in all summer program activities

 

Work Schedule: May 31 - August 16, 2018, plus the potential for a few paid
conference calls or webinars prior to May 31. Summer youth counselors will
work approximately forty hours per week, with the potential for some
overtime. Schedules will vary based on assigned duties.

 

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

 

 
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:                                            

High school diploma or equivalent

 

TO APPLY:

Note: This is a courtesy posting for a non merit position. 

 

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral
requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human
Resources Enterprise. Applications to DAS-HRE only, will not be considered.

 

Interested applicants must send a cover letter and resume to:

Helen Stevens

Education and Training Director

Iowa Department for the Blind

524 Fourth Street

Des Moines, IA 50309

 <mailto:helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us> helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us