[rehab] San Francisco LightHouse for the Blind is Hiring an Employment Facilitator for our Employment Immersion Program

[LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired via Nfbc-info]

POSITION: Employment Facilitator

JOB PURPOSE:
The LightHouse Employment Immersion initiative is 
not a generic program like those available 
elsewhere to sighted jobseekers.  Our program 
puts special emphasis on connecting blind 
jobseekers with the actual experiences of blind 
employees.  This position will introduce blind 
jobseekers to blind mentors, coordinate peer 
discussion, identify and schedule outside 
blind-positive speakers and generally produce an 
immersive experience rich in blind-positive 
stories, workplace examples, and people. The task 
of instilling pride, confidence and blind 
community support is central to this position.

The second purpose of this position is to ensure 
that blind and visually-impaired participants are 
provided practical, accessible and required 
training and support for their job search and 
application process.  The Employment Facilitator 
will work closely with the Jobseeker Coordinator 
to ensure that timely encouragement and support 
is given to participants during formal class 
sessions and the subsequent job search phase.

The Employment Facilitator will coordinate and 
teach standard aspects of career exploration, job 
search, interviewing, networking and 
job-carving.  This position will develop and 
maintain a system to keep every class participant 
accountable for specific actions throughout their enrollment in the program.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Education or equivalent: A Bachelor's Degree or 
equivalent experience that parallels the needs of 
the department, such as vocational counseling, 
teaching or a work history supporting the disability community.

Experience: Five years' experience with blindness 
or low vision, in either a service organization 
or via extensive personal experience with the 
needs of blind jobseekers.  A history of public 
speaking, giving presentations or workshop facilitation helpful.

Other: Ability to be productive with large e-mail 
flows; strong proficiency with Microsoft Office 
Suite and Internet research tools 
essential.  Working knowledge of accessible 
technology very helpful.  Demonstrated skill in 
writing and evaluating lesson plans, and 
providing constructive criticism.  A history of 
successful diversity integration in group 
settings.  Position requires strong organization, 
communication flexibility and interpersonal 
skills; ability to work collaboratively; capacity 
to handle multiple projects and deadlines 
simultaneously.  Some aptitude in a language 
other than English always appreciated.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

JOB FUNCTIONS

The Employment Facilitator provides both 
classroom and individual instruction; employment 
and job search preparation; and supports the 
placement activity of blind and visually-impaired students.

IN CLASS

The Employment Facilitator assists students in 
developing and refining their résumés, conducting 
job searches, and teaching blind-specific 
strategies for interviewing successfully.


·        Leads workshops, 1:1 training and 
occasionally participates in student retreats.

·        Assists students to develop transferable 
job-search skills, such as creating résumés, 
cover letters, networking and discovering unconventional job leads.

·        Assists students with technical issues during class.

·        Assigns and evaluates student homework and projects.

·        Identifies and introduces blind 
jobseekers to community mentors, informational 
interview sources and working blind people.

PROGRAM PLANNING AND OPERATIONS
The Employment Facilitator will have lead 
responsibility in developing curriculum and 
workshops, documenting and updating the syllabus, 
devising employment strategies, networking and 
attending employment-related community events.

Develops program curriculum with a concentration 
on assembling a compelling library of readings, 
videos, podcasts and other resources with strong 
narratives about blind people in the workplace and how they got there.

Designs innovative class sessions, periodic 
social jobseeker events, and after-hours online 
and in-person activities to ensure that the program is:

·        Intense and immersive.

·        Fun and engaging.

·        Connecting each jobseeker with others that have similar aspirations.

Designs and updates the curriculum so that each 
jobseeker is accountable for 40 hours per week of 
class, active job searching, networking and non-passive activities.

·        Encourages and supports student job search activities.

·        Assists with strategizing and filling out job applications.

·        When required, escorts students to 
interviews and other job-related activities.

·        Visits work sites to assess the need for post-employment support.

·        Analyzes and writes reports for any job 
modifications needed to create an accessible and productive work environment.

·        Assists the Employment Development 
Manager in outreach and presentation activities as needed.

·        Refers to and collaborates with other 
departments to assist students in learning about 
LightHouse training, social and recreational opportunities.

·        Establishes and maintains active 
referral relationships with the Department of 
Rehabilitation and other community partners.

·        Assigns and performs training and other 
services within the parameters of written 
Authorizations, and bills within the scope of those authorizations.

·        Collects data needed to measure and 
evaluate program outcomes.  Consistently tracks 
and documents student goals and progress.

·        Maintains appropriate student and Agency confidentiality at all times.

·        Communicates regularly, professionally 
and in a timely manner with all relevant parties.

·        Keeps abreast of new employment and 
hiring trends by reading local business news and daily publications.

·        Other Duties:  Please note this job 
description is not designed to cover or contain a 
comprehensive listing of activities, duties or 
responsibilities that are required of the 
employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities 
and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Equal opportunity to all regardless of race, 
color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, 
marital status, disability, religious or 
political affiliation, age, or sexual 
orientation. We have an "employment at will" policy.

TO APPLY:

Please submit your cover letter and / or résumé 
as Word attachments (no .PDF please), to 
hr at lighthouse-sf.org<mailto:hr at lighthouse-sf.org>; 
include the job title in the subject line. We 
will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online 
profiles at this time. Due to time constraints we 
may not be able to respond to everyone who expresses interest; thank you.