[Trainer-Talk] Rehabilitation Technology Specialist Job Posting from Iowa Department for the Blind

[wmajerus at gmail.com]

Hello:

 

Below, please find the text of a job posting for a Rehabilitation Technology
Specialist with the Iowa Department for the blind. The web link for this
posting is: Rehabilitation Technology Specialist | Job Details tab | Career
Pages (governmentjobs.com)
<https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/3153629/rehabilitation-tec
hnology-specialist?department%5b0%5d=131%20Iowa%20Department%20for%20the%20B
lind&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs> 

 

 

 

   


Rehabilitation Technology Specialist


Salary 

$55,307.20 - $85,758.40 Annually

Location 

Des Moines - 50309 - Polk County, IA

Job Type

Full-time

Agency

131 Iowa Department for the Blind

Job Number

22-00101

Closing

8/1/2021 11:59 PM Central

LinkedIn Tag

#LI-DNP

Point of Contact

Helen Stevens, helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us
<mailto:helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us> 

To Apply

Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and
letter of application to: Helen Stevens, Education and Training Director,
Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 4th Street, Des Moines, IA 50309-2364.
helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us <mailto:helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us> 

Job Description

This is a courtesy posting for a non-merit position. Positions in this class
are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa
Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.   Please
follow instructions in the "To Apply" section for directions on how to apply
for this position.
 
The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking applicants for a position
that will promote IDB's mission, vision and values through providing access
technology services to vocational rehabilitation clients. Strong candidates
will be adept problem-solvers who can explore to learn new technology,
troubleshoot to locate and solve problems, and communicate with clients and
employers about challenges and potential solutions. IDB is willing to
provide training in the required blindness skill areas and blindness
specific technology if needed.
 
Duties and responsibilities to include the following: 

*         Complete worksite assessments and provide workplace support to
clients, including transition-age youth during work-based learning
experiences, to support the clients in successful employment. 

*         Assist employers in determining the accessibility of their
technology systems for blind employees. Gather data about a work site and
the technology that will be used on the job, and determine what is needed to
integrate non visual access technology with technologies used at the work
site.

*         Research possible solutions to problems involved with integrating
non visual access technology into the work site.

*         Test and implement scripts to improve the use of screen access
technology with programs used. Install, test, and configure hardware and
software to facilitate operation with speech, refreshable braille, and/or
screen enlargement systems.

*         Provide on-site training and remote assistance to employers and
clients regarding non visual access technology used at the work site.

*         Troubleshoot technical problems involving the integration of
nonvisual access technology with other programs, determine what
configuration changes, repairs, and/or upgrades may be necessary, and
facilitate efforts to implement needed hardware/software acquisitions or
configuration changes.

*         Produce written reports and case notes to document the work
performed.

Obtain and review quotes for the purchase of client and loaner technology.
Set up new hardware and software including computers with screen access
software, braille displays, and CCTVs to make them ready for client use.
Install updates and troubleshoot issues as they arise. Work with
manufacturers as needed to troubleshoot more complex problems and arrange
for the repair of devices.
 
Design, validate, and implement skills assessments and training curricula to
determine a client's ability to use technology and teach all necessary
technology skills. Develop and/or modify technology skills assessments to
ensure the most accurate results. Based on these assessments, produce
written and verbal reports concerning a client's ability to use technology
(with or without non visual access software/hardware), the client's need for
specialized training, and the configuration of any equipment that the client
might require. Develop, maintain and evaluate curricula for effectively
teaching nonvisual technology skills using the structured discovery
methodology.  
 
Travel statewide to provide individualized and group training to Vocational
Rehabilitation clients, including transition-age youth, in the use of
nonvisual access and mainstream technologies. Monitor client progress during
such training, produce written reports and case notes for client files, and
provide prompt notification to counselors and/or rehabilitation teachers
concerning client progress and impediments to client success.
 
Collaborate with Individualized Education Program teams across the state to
provide appropriate Pre-Employment Transition Services to high school
students. Assess the skill level of the students and assist in developing
training plans to help students meet their immediate and long-term goals.
Recommend and assist with the provision of accommodations as appropriate.
Arrange for the loan of technology to students and provide training as
needed. Serve as a resource to parents, teachers and paraprofessionals as
requested. Create cheat sheets and other resources for use by parents and
educators to support students' technology usage. Provide presentations to
students, parents and educators as directed.
 
Essential functions of this position:

*         Communicate effectively in person, on the phone, and in writing
with clients, counselors, and the public.

*         Write clear and thorough reports on training provided or
technology evaluated for employers, counselors, educators and other
professionals.

*         Communicate technical information in a manner understandable to
nontechnical individuals.

*         Travel regularly to clients' worksites, schools and homes.

*         Utilize and teach others to use technology including smartphones,
tablets and computers non-visually without the need for any visual
information.

*         Research and teach oneself to use new and updated technology;
locating training resources as appropriate.

*         Read and write contracted braille accurately in order to provide
training on the use of braille notetakers, braille displays and other
braille-related technology.

*         Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of non-visual access
technologies-including screen access software, screen enlargement
technology, refreshable braille displays, braille embossers, tablets, smart
phones, and video magnifiers-and make sound recommendations about which
technologies should be used for specific situations and under what
circumstances.

*         Teach individuals and/or groups how to use specific technologies,
and vary the teaching method depending on the learning style that works best
for each student.

*         Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical problems with the use
of all available resources as appropriate.

 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 an accredited college or university with major coursework in
civil, industrial, mechanical, architectural, electrical or rehabilitation
engineering and experience equal to one year of full-time work in the
design, development and fabrication of mechanical or electrical components
or assemblies for products such as industrial equipment, machinery, power
equipment, service systems, machine tools and measuring instruments;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year
of professional work experience as indicated above for one year (thirty
semester or equivalent hours) of the required education to a maximum of four
years.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job
description
<https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/class_and_pay/JobClas
sDescriptions/RehabilitationTechnologySpecialist-41006.pdf>  (Download PDF
reader) <https://get.adobe.com/reader/> .

Agency

State of Iowa

Agency

131 Iowa Department for the Blind

Address

524 4th St

Des Moines, Iowa, 50309

Website

 <https://blind.iowa.gov/> https://blind.iowa.gov/

 

 

Thank you,

 

Wes Majerus