Blindness Skills Specialist - Rehabilitation Program Specialist 2

Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment; Saint-Paul; Hybrid; CAD 64,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

12 paid holidays each year

Low-cost medical, dental, vision plans

Fertility care

Diabetes care

Dental and orthodontic care

Paid parental leave

Pension plan

Life insurance

Job summary

The Blindness Skills Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development leads adaptive skills instruction for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind youth. You will deliver hands‑on training in independent living, Braille, and assistive technology, and collaborate with families and school staff to support educational and vocational outcomes.

Responsibilities include conducting functional assessments, developing individualized goals, and coordinating with Pre‑ETS initiatives.

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience providing adaptive skills instruction, rehabilitation teaching, or hands‑on training in blindness‑specific techniques to youth who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind.

Responsibilities

• Design, deliver, and evaluate adaptive skills instruction for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind youth aged 14–21.
• Provide hands‑on training in independent living, Braille, assistive technology, daily living techniques, and workplace readiness.
• Conduct functional assessments across home, school, community, and vocational settings; develop instructional goals.

Skills

Adaptive skills instruction

Functional assessments

Individualized training goals

Hands-on instruction

Collaboration with professionals

Documentation

Driver's license

Job description

Working Title: Blindness Skills Specialist

Job Class: Rehabilitation Program Specialist 2

Agency: Department of Employment and Economic Development

• Job ID: 98015
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes, may be eligible for some telework
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Limited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 11/05/2026
• Closing Date: 11/18/2026
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Department of Employment and Economic Development / MAPE
• Division/Unit: State Services for the Blind
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8:00AM - 4:30PM; some evenings and Saturdays may be required based on business needs.
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: Yes, up to 75% of the time
• Salary Range: $32.97 - $48.60 / hourly; $68,841 - $101,476 / annually
• Classified Status: Unclassified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - Minnesota Association of Professional Employees
• End Date: Up to three (3) years
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: No

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well‑being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

State Services for the Blind’s (SSB) mission is to facilitate the achievement of vocational and personal independence by Minnesotans who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind. We offer a dynamic team-oriented environment where everyone's contribution is key to achieving this mission.

The Blindness Skills Specialist designs, delivers, and evaluates adaptive skills instruction for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind youth ages fourteen through twenty‑one. The position provides hands‑on training in independent living, alternative literacy (including Braille), assistive technology, daily living techniques, and foundational workplace readiness skills. The incumbent conducts functional assessments across home, school, community, and vocational environments; develops individualized instructional goals; teaches age‑appropriate adjustment‑to‑blindness skills; and collaborates with families, vocational rehabilitation counselors, school staff, and community partners to support skill development and successful educational and vocational outcomes. The role requires substantial independent judgment, in‑person instructional delivery, case documentation, and coordination with Pre‑Employment Transition Services (Pre‑ETS) initiatives.

This is a temporary unclassified appointment anticipated to last up to three (3) years.

This position requires daily local and weekly statewide travel to meet with customers. There may be some evening and weekend work required to host workshops.

This position is telework eligible. Staff are provided with the tools and equipment to be successful in a virtual work environment. Please note, the telework policy could change with notice based on business needs.

This position may be used to fill multiple positions.

Minimum Qualifications

Please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held. Only applicants whose resumes clearly demonstrate fulfillment of each of these minimum qualifications will be considered for this position.

Three (3) years of experience providing adaptive skills instruction, rehabilitation teaching, or hands‑on training in blindness‑specific techniques (such as independent living skills, Braille, assistive technology, or adjustment‑to‑blindness skills) to youth who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind.

Applicants that meet the above minimum qualification will be further evaluated on the following:

• Experience conducting functional assessments of individual abilities, needs, barriers, and strengths in home, educational, community, or vocational settings.
• Experience developing individualized training goals, instructional plans, benchmarks, or skill‑development strategies that promote increased independence and workplace readiness.
• Experience providing direct, hands‑on instruction in adaptive daily living skills, problem‑solving, organization, or self‑advocacy strategies to adolescents or young adults with disabilities.
• Experience collaborating with rehabilitation professionals, educators (including Teachers of the Blind and Individual Education Program teams), families, or community providers to coordinate services or support student progress.
• Experience maintaining accurate case documentation, tracking progress, and reporting outcomes in a rehabilitation, educational, or human services setting.
• Incumbent must maintain a valid driver's license and insurance OR have other reliable transportation. Travel arrangements can be made with drivers employed by State Services for the Blind upon request and depending on availability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience teaching or supporting use of Braille, tactile literacy methods, audio formats, or screen‑reader technology.
• Experience instructing youth in adaptive technology or alternative techniques for accessing and producing digital materials (such as document navigation, accessible publishing, or use of mobile apps).
• Experience developing or delivering group workshops, classes, or cohort‑based training programs focused on blindness skills, independent living, or workplace readiness.
• Experience promoting student self‑advocacy, confidence‑building, decision‑making skills, or education about disability rights and effective accommodations.
• Experience collaborating with Orientation and Mobility Specialists, Assistive Technology Specialists, rehabilitation teachers, or school‑based professionals to coordinate adaptive skills instruction.
• Experience contributing to program evaluation efforts, developing training resources, or assisting with service improvement initiatives in a rehabilitation or Pre‑ETS program.
• Our employees are dedicated to ensuring cultural responsiveness. Preferred candidates will have a variety of experiences working effectively…

Additional Requirements

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Criminal Background Check
• Employment Records Check (current and former State employees only)
• Employment Reference Check
• Conflict of Interest Review
• Driver’s License and Records Check

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

This position requires an Adjustment to Blindness immersion training program. The immersion experience helps new employees understand what’s possible for people who are blind, DeafBlind or visually impaired by allowing them to experience it for themselves. The training takes place at an Adjustment to Blindness training center and can run up to 6-7 weeks.

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your Benefits May Include

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide