[rehab] Nebraska Communications Instructor

[Deb and Jeff Altman]

From: Robinson, Dave
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2016 1:49 PM
Subject: Job Posting

Good Afternoon,

This e-mail is to announce the posting of the 
Training Center Communications Instructor.

There is no end date to the posting, as it will remain open until filled.

All interested parties are required to apply 
online at <http://statejobs.nebraska.gov/>http://statejobs.nebraska.gov/

Applicants are encouraged to read through the 
instructions completely, before beginning the 
application process, as incomplete or improperly 
filled out applications will not be forwarded for review.

If you traditionally post to list serves, please 
feel free to do so with this notice.

Thanks.

Dave Robinson
Nebraska Commission For The Blind & Visually Impaired
(402)-370-3453 - Phone
(402)-370-3508 - FAX


STATE OF NEBRASKA CLASS 
SPECIFICATION                                       EST:  01/80 – REV:  09/11
VISUALLY IMPAIRED ORIENTATION COUNSELOR 
II                     CLASS CODE:      C72612

Job Location: Lincoln, Nebraska

DESCRIPTION:  Under general supervision, provides 
adjustment counseling and teaching of non-visual 
techniques for clients who are experiencing 
personal and social problems which are associated 
with the on-set of blindness.  Tasks performed 
vary greatly and are based on the needs of the 
individual client, families or guardians or 
consulting agency; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:  (A position is 
assigned to this class based on the scope and 
level of work performed as outlined below.)

This is the second classification level of two in 
the Visually Impaired Orientation Counselor class 
series. This class is differentiated from the 
Visually Impaired Orientation Counselor I class 
based on the scope and level of work performed 
and the amount of independence in which to 
perform the tasks assigned. Positions allocated 
to the first level perform basic counseling and 
teaching functions under close supervision and 
work with the guidance of Visually Impaired Orientation Counselor II staff.

Positions allocated to the Vocational 
Rehabilitation Counselor series perform 
counseling and guidance related to vocational training and work placements.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:  (A position may not be 
assigned all the duties listed, nor do these 
examples include all the duties that may be assigned.)

Evaluates the present level of skill possessed by 
clients to identify attainable goals and areas of 
needed improvement to adjust to blindness.

Educates clients and the public in understanding 
the various implications of blindness and how 
this relates to current attitudes toward blindness.

Primary duties include teaching clients computer 
skills, typing non visually, using adaptive 
equipment such as scanners, and screen readers 
such as Jaws for Windows and Open Book

Prepares clients for work by teaching them 
applications often used on the job such as 
Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook, and 
other Microsoft Office programs.

Teaches computer skills such as email,  internet 
navigation, social media, and Voiceover on the Mac and iOS  devices.

Prepares periodic reports to evaluate the 
clients’ progress toward successful 
rehabilitation and to monitor the overall effectiveness of programs provided.

Occasionally prepares and implements 
instructional programs for clients to address the 
necessary skills to deal effectively with 
blindness such as  cooking and other homemaking 
skills, Braille, and cane travel.

Assists in the training of new staff members in 
the different philosophies of working with the 
blind, the implications of being blind and 
teaching daily living skills to the blind.  At 
times, serves as a team leader for a working group of Orientation Counselors.

Refers  clients  to  additional  opportunities 
provided  by  the  Nebraska  Commission  for  the  Blind  and
Visually Impaired and other social service agencies.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES 
REQUIRED:   (These are needed to perform the work assigned.)

Knowledge  of:    teaching  and  instructing 
individuals;  leadership  techniques;  blindness 
philosophies; various educational modalities as 
they pertain to the rehabilitation of blind 
individuals (i.e. computer use, email, internet, 
screen readers and/or low vision applications, 
Braille, cane travel, and etc.); understanding of 
problems arising from blindness; counseling 
techniques used in the rehabilitation of the blind.

C72612 – VISUALLY IMPAIRED ORIENTATION COUNSELOR II (continued)

Skill  in:     evaluating  each  client's  needs 
and  the  subsequent  preparation  and 
implementation  of instructional programs to answer these needs.

Ability to:  lead and mentor others in the 
completion of work; organize and coordinate 
various ongoing 
instructional  programs;  apply  specific 
counseling  techniques  according  to  the 
situation;  effectively evaluate the results of 
instructional programs and revise such programs 
as warranted; establish a strong working rapport 
with clients, general public and other service agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (Applicants will be 
screened for possession of these qualifications. 
Applicants who need accommodation in the 
selection process should request this in advance.)

Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science, social 
science, counseling, education or related field 
and three years experience.  Experience providing 
counseling and/or instruction to clients with a 
visual impairment or other disability may be 
substituted for a Bachelor’s degree on a 
year-for-year basis.   OR Master's degree in any 
of the above mentioned fields or related area and one year experience.

SPECIAL NOTE:

State agencies are responsible to evaluate each 
of their positions to determine their individual 
overtime eligibility status as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).