[nfbwatlk] Job Opening at school for the Blind

[doug trimble]

State of Washington
School for the Blind
invites applications for the position of:
PROGRAM SPECIALIST 3
        [http://agency.governmentjobs.com/washington/careersLogo-blue.jpg]

SALARY:         $3,740.00 - $4,134.00 Monthly


OPENING DATE: 02/16/16

CLOSING DATE: 03/11/16 12:00 PM


DESCRIPTION:


[https://secure.neogov.com/images/AgencyImages/jobposting/1924/jobpostings/image/WSSB.jpg]

Striving to educate blind and visually impaired children for independence and success!

Agency Profile: The mission of the Washington State School for the Blind is to provide specialized quality educational services to visually impaired/blind youth ages birth-21 within the state of Washington. Our purpose is to serve as a statewide demonstration and resource center and provide direct/indirect services to participants both on campus and in the children's local communities. Each employee plays a critical role for the school and our participants. We value our employees and continuously encourage them to improve the way we provide service to our participants and the community.

Please Note: This is an overtime exempt project position currently funded through June 30, 2017 with extention dependent upon future funding.



DUTIES:


Position Profile:  The Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) is currently recruiting for a Program Specialist 3 (PS3) position which will work in collaboration with the Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) to provide pre-employment transition services to participants with vision impairments. This position will provide work readiness/soft skills training, job exploration, placement, and retention in Southwest Washington. The role of the PS3 is to prepare participants for the workplace, to develop, locate and secure work experiences and job placement. The PS3 keeps current with local labor market trends and employment opportunities in the private and public sectors, and initiates and maintains ongoing personal contacts with a variety of business and industry representatives, and job placement/training agencies to promote the hiring of people with disabilities.

Assigned Duties and Responsibilities:

Through the framework of the Pre-Employment Transition Services as defined by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), provides opportunities for Job Exploration, Work Based Learning, Work Readiness Training, Self-advocacy Instruction, and Post-secondary Exploration.


  *   Contacts employers to develop assessment, job shadow, informational interview sites, work experience placement and/or volunteer placements, and develop job openings for participants.
  *   Evaluates each participant's work history, skills, education, and barriers to employment to successfully match an individual with available job placement.
  *   Assists each participant in effectively using the services and resources listed in their home community to conduct a successful job search, including matching participant qualifications with specific job openings, developing a resume, submitting employment applications, and preparing for interviews.
  *   Conducts job readiness/soft skills training and job search workshops for groups of participants to support them in developing and carrying out their individual job search plans.
  *   Maintains close contact with each participant's  transition team to update progress and obtain intervention in the event an individual is not making progress in his/her job readiness training or job search.
  *   Provides on the job training and coaching as needed in the job setting for particpant's success in the workplace.
  *   Collaborates with WSSB/DSB agency staff in planning and development of special programs.
  *   Provide education and technical assistance to prospective employers on the benefits of employing workers with vision loss or blindness, the ADA and any financial assistance available to the employer.
  *   Assists WSSB/DSB staff, participants and employers in evaluating the accessibility of the employer's workplace and assists in securing needed accommodations.
  *   Participates in ongoing communication with transition team regarding current labor market information, including job trends, hiring practices of key employers, new employers coming into the locale, high-demand occupations, etc.
  *   Provides timely reporting to WSSB/DSB team throughout service provision and at end of job placement and retention reporting periods.




QUALIFICATIONS:


Required Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, counseling, or a field related to vocational rehabilitation (such as one that promotes the physical, psychosocial, or vocational well-being of individuals with disabilities); OR

Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science with at least 18-quarter or 12 semester credit hours from the following courses (direct customer services experience in a vocational rehabilitation program will substitute year-for-year for the bachelor's degree, but not for the 18-quarter or 12-semester credit hours):


  *   Occupational Information
  *   Job Development and Placement
  *   Community Resources
  *   General Psychology
  *   Vocational Consulting
  *   General Business
  *   Accounting
  *   Business Practices
  *   Communications
  *   Marketing
  *   Interpersonal Communications
  *   Human Services

Desired Skills and Abilities:


  *   Knowledge of current methods and techniques of job search, job placement and job retention, including resume development and job interviewing skills.
  *   Ability to evaluate soft skill needs relative to each employer's workplace/culture.
  *   Knowledge of local labor market trends and employment opportunities, principles of marketing and public relations.
  *   Knowledge of, or willingness to learn, barriers to employment related to visual impairment (and other additional disabilities) and how they relate to the workplace, as well as tools and techniques for workplace accommodation.
  *   Experience working with the unique needs of youth and pre-employment readiness training skills such as soft skills, self-advocacy skills and organizational skills.
  *   Ability to effectively market and represent participants and WSSB/DSB.
  *   Ability to provide honest, supportive and constructive feedback on a participant's job search efforts, including feedback on their interviewing skills and overall personal presentation to prospective employers.
  *   Ability to problem-solve.
  *   Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  *   Ability to use office computer technology, software and applications specific to WSSB/DSB to prepare documents, presentations, search for information and maintain databases.
  *   Ability to utilize time management techniques to organize and prioritize work.
  *   Ability to work independently and meet timelines and coordinate a variety of projects simultaneously.
  *   Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with individuals and groups to include people from different backgrounds.




SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:


READ THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS COMPLETELY:

  *   The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the "work experience" section of your application in Careers.wa.gov and the completeness of the application material.
  *   A resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application.
  *   All Information may be verified and documentation may be required.

Prior to any new appointment, a Washington State Patrol and FBI criminal background check will be conducted.

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, please email Anne.Baker at wssb.wa.gov.

The state of Washington is an equal opportunity employer. Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application or that need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 946-3311<https://secure.neogov.com/employers/job_posting/jobposting.cfm?JobID=1356983#>.  TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

As a condition of employment, the candidate accepting this position will be required to comply with the Union Security clause contained in the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the State of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.  This means that, as a condition of employment, the candidate must either join the union and pay dues, or pay the union a representational or other fee within 30 days of the date you are put into pay status.