[Tall-Corn] Summer program job posting

[Enrique Mejia]

Summer Youth Counselor

Salary 
$17.24 - $25.19 Hourly
Location 
Des Moines - 50309 - Polk County, IA
Job Type
Temporary
Agency
131 Iowa Department for the Blind
Job Number
22-01739
Closing
2/14/2022 11:59 PM Central
LinkedIn Tag
#LI-DNP
Point of Contact
helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us
To Apply
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 helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us
Job Description
This is a non-merit temporary position with the Iowa Department for the Blind. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise. 

SALARY: $17.24/hr. Expected total salary to be approximately $7,500. 

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 student needs, but will include teaching alternative techniques of blindness through daily classes such as braille, cane travel, access technology, home and personal management, as well as teaching alternative techniques of blindness through assisting students in their apartments and during evening and weekend activities.

Strong candidates will possess solid communication skills, maturity, the ability to follow directions and ask questions as needed, work hard and have fun, as well as a strong belief in the abilities of blind persons and a commitment to helping students grow toward their potential. Housing is available for employees who live outside the Des Moines area.

Examples of duties:
Support student learning through braille, technology, personal management, cane travel, and money management instruction. Provide instruction in social skills, appropriate etiquette and self-advocacy. Reinforce blindness skills learning through assisting students with daily living tasks, meal planning and preparation, grocery shopping, laundry, and cleaning and organizing apartments.
Assist students in traveling to and participating in activities in the community such as eating at restaurants, bowling and rock climbing. Reinforce proper cane technique and other nonvisual skills during these activities.
Serve as a role model for 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 program staff regarding student needs and progress. Document student progress including written student reports at the end of the summer.

Essential functions of this position:
Demonstrate and promote a positive philosophy of blindness
Actively monitor student behavior and living areas
Communicate regularly with program leaders regarding student needs and concerns
Document student progress through detailed written reports
Demonstrate proper use of the long white cane
Read and write braille to support students in developing their braille skills
Actively participate in all summer program activities

Work Schedule:
Initial staff training will be held in Des Moines the weekend of March 25-27.
The primary time of employment will be May 31– August 18, 2022.
Summer youth counselors may consistently work significantly more than forty hours per week, based on the number of students enrolled and those students’ needs. Exact schedules will be determined by the needs of the students in the program, and the skillset of each staff member. Tentative staff role assignments will be announced after the March training weekend.

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 Qualification Requirements
Graduation from high school or G.E.D.;

OR
experience equal to two years of full-time work in a youth service program working directly in the treatment of adjudicated, at risk, or other youths needing service or assistance.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader) and minimum qualifications.
Additional Qualification Requirements
Designated positions in this job class require applicants and/or incumbents to possess a valid driver's license.

Agency
State of Iowa
Agency
131 Iowa Department for the Blind
Address
524 4th St

Des Moines, Iowa, 50309
Website
https://blind.iowa.gov

Sent from my iPhone
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