[Nfbnet-students-list] Virginia Mentor Jobs

[Phelps, Amy]

Seeking: Blind Mentors for 2021 LIFE Program



Are you ready to be an agent of change with blind 
and vision impaired youth of Virginia?

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The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind 
and Vision Impaired (VRCBVI) is seeking blind 
college students or young professionals to be 
peer mentors for our 2021 Learning Independence, 
Feeling Empowered (LIFE) Program.  LIFE is a 
five-week residential summer program for high 
school-aged blind and vision impaired youth who 
want to learn and build confidence in the skills 
of blindness. Students of the LIFE program 
participate in daily classes, which include cane 
travel, Braille, cooking skills, cleaning, access 
technology, computer skills, and job readiness. 
During the last three weeks of the program, the 
students will have the opportunity to participate 
in a three-week work experience.  In addition to 
classes and the work experience, the students 
participate in evening and weekend confidence 
building activities in which the mentors work 
closely with the students. As mentor, you and 
your students will challenge yourselves and the 
misconceptions of blindness by participating in 
events like rock climbing, white water rafting, 
high ropes courses and much more!

If you are enthusiastic about giving back to the 
next generation of blind and vision impaired 
youth and you want to have fun while working, 
then being a mentor in the 2021 LIFE Program is 
the place for you.  Mentors must be available 
June 13 through August 13, 2021. The 2021 LIFE 
Program will take place on the campus of VRCBVI 
in Richmond, Virginia. Please note mentors will 
be hired for the in-person 2021 LIFE program, 
only. If VRCBVI is required to offer a virtual 
program, mentors will be notified immediately.

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Please see below for the Job Description for further details.

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Mentoring candidates will:

·         Possess excellent blindness 
skills specifically the ability to travel 
independently using a long white cane or dog 
guide while communicating with and monitoring a 
group of high school age students

·         Be available from June 13, 2021 to August 13, 2021

·         Be able to work 40 hours a 
week, including evenings and weekends

·         Be able to communicate 
effectively with co-workers and supervisor

·         Possess maturity, patience, 
and the ability to work as part of a team

·         Enjoy teaching and have an enthusiastic sense of adventure

·         Reside in the dorm apartments on the VRCBVI campus

·         Pass a background check

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Rate of pay: $12.98 an hour plus room and board at VRCBVI.

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To learn more or to apply, please contact Amy 
Phelps by email at 
<mailto:amy.phelps at dbvi.virginia.gov>amy.phelps at dbvi.virginia.gov 
or by phone at (804) 371-3052.Â

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To apply please email the following to 
<mailto:amy.phelps at dbvi.virginia.gov>amy.phelps at dbvi.virginia.gov:
    * 1. Â  A copy of your Commonwealth of 
Virginia Application for Employment by going to 
<https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/user/new>https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/user/new 
to login or create an account, then proceed to 
“<https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/postings/9275>Click 
here 
https://virginiajobs.peopleadmin.com/postings/9275 
  to create and save your application but not 
apply to a job.”  After completing your 
application, go to print view where you can email 
the application or send a hard copy
    * Cover Letter

3.    Resume

4.    Three professional references

5.    500 word essay explaining why you would 
be the best candidate for the position and the 
role mentoring has played in your success

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All applications must be complete and received by March 15, 2021.

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PEER MENTOR JOB DESCRIPTION

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KSAs and/or Competencies required to successfully perform the work:

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Knowledge of and demonstrated 
proficiency in blindness skills used in academic, 
social and employment settings.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Knowledge of basic acceptable behavior as it relates to youths.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Ability to secure the confidence, 
respect, and cooperation of youths and exercise 
tact, initiative, and good judgment in dealing with them.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Ability to perceive, observe, and address problems as they arise.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Ability to participate in and 
provide guidance to students in planned confidence-building activities.Â

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Displays a high level of 
initiative, effort, attention to detail and 
commitment by completing assignments efficiently with minimal supervision.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Demonstrated proficiency with 
Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Word, 
Internet Explorer, Excel, and PowerPoint.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills.

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Education, Experience, Licensure, Certification 
required for entry into position:

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Prefer applicant with a college 
degree; currently enrolled in college and in good 
standing or equivalent combination of training and experience.

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Core Responsibilities:

85% Mentoring/Instruction:

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Applies knowledge of program rules 
and practices and blindness skills while 
providing instruction to students and modeling 
blindness skills and problem solving skills as 
related to independent living and academic success.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Fosters independence by providing 
supportive encouragement (mentoring) and 
instruction in self-advocacy to youths in a 
one-on-one or small group situation and gives 
instruction, advice, and assistance.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Plans and leads evening and weekend 
confidence-building activities; exercises 
situational judgment and discretion while 
providing supervision during group trips and social functions.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Confers with supervisor, case 
manager, or instructional staff regarding special 
problems; attends staff meetings.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Plans, implements, and leads group 
activities such as Conversations About Blindness 
classes to teach advocacy skills and problem solving.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Collects, records, and reports 
student data; maintains logbooks via computer and 
prepares incident reports and/or related institutional forms.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Participates in and provides 
instruction during selected aspects of the LIFE 
Programs, including confidence-building 
activities, ACE Academy, Mock Interviews, 
Conversations About Blindness, and other aspects of program as assigned.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Provides guidance and direction to 
blind transition age students.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Provide initial on-the-job guidance 
for students in their community-based work experience.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Substitute teaching as needed.

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10% Evaluation:Â

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Informally evaluates students on 
their preparedness for living independently, 
employment readiness, and academic success 
through observations during class time and during evening activities.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Communicates findings and 
recommendations both orally and in written 
format, as they relate to students’ goals.

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5% Communication:Â

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Reports to supervisor and center 
counselor observations regarding students 
existing skills, present needs, and any 
instructional recommendations and strategies.

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Provides accurate written 
documentation such as journal entries, final reports, incident reports, etc.Â

-Â Â Â Â Â Â  Participates in all assigned 
student staffing’s to discuss observations and 
recommendations for promoting independence, 
academic skills and employment-readiness activities.

On Tue, Mar 2, 2021 at 10:22 PM David Andrews 
<<mailto:dandrews920 at comcast.net>dandrews920 at comcast.net> wrote:
Can you send me your message again, the attachment was corrupted.  It
is generally to include the text of the announcement in the body of the e-mail.

Dave



-- 

Thanks,Â

AmyÂ


Amy C. Phelps, CRC, NOMC

Assistant Director for Instruction
(804) 371-3052
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