Animal Assisted Therapy Technician II

State of North Carolina - Health & Human Services; North Carolina; On-site; USD 32,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is seeking a Health Care Technician II at the J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton to plan and provide direct vocational training in a barn setting for residents with developmental disabilities.

You will design activities aligned with person-centered goals, track skills, and integrate training programs while managing horse care and pasture duties. Shift is 7:30 am–4:00 pm, Monday–Friday, with a potential sign-on bonus.

Qualifications

• Experience with individuals with IDD and person-centered practices.
• Ability to design and implement vocational training plans.
• Experience in horse care and safe riding/training practices.
• Experience operating tractors and farm implements safely.

Responsibilities

• Plan and provide direct vocational training in barn settings.
• Design activities tied to personal goals identified in planning meetings.
• Write, implement and track training programs addressing skills.
• Perform horse care, pasture management, and farm tasks.

Skills

IDD experience

Person-centered approach

Vocational assessment

Training plan implementation

Horse care management

Equine safety

Farm equipment operation

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Tractors

Agricultural implements

Job description

AgencyDept of Health and Human ServicesDivisionJ. Iverson Riddle Developmental CenterJob Classification TitleHealth Care Technician II (S)Position Number60048932GradeMH02About UsThe North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.Description of WorkThe primary responsibility of the Animal Assisted Therapy (AAT) Technician II is to plan and provide direct vocational training to individuals with developmental disabilities in the barn setting. The AAT Technician II is responsible for designing specific activities and teaching opportunities related to personal goals and objectives identified at each resident's Person-Centered Planning meeting. The AAT Technician II identifies, writes, implements and integrates training programs and activities addressing skills in the areas identified to help the resident become a more functional worker. This type of on-the-job training will meet the needs that can be integrated into the job setting such as time on task, attention to tasks and detail and skill building for competitive integrated employment that will assist the resident in their job readiness. The AAT Technician II is also responsible for horse care, program writing, skill tracking and pasture management.Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management PreferencesSalary Range: $32,444.00 – $48,665.00Recruitment Range: $32,444.00 – $48,665.00A Sign-on bonus of $2,500 may be offered to the successful applicant(s) of this posting.**See eligibility for Sign-on Bonus at the end of the job posting. **Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.The Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs )/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:undefinedDocumented experience working with individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities (IDD).Strong understanding of person-centered philosophies and their application in vocation or therapeutic settings.Ability to conduct vocational skill assessments, design tailored instructional programs and effectively implement training plans.Documented experience in horse care management, with a high level of comfort and skill in riding, training, and exercising horses safely.Proven experience safely operating tractors and agricultural implements, specifically for pasture maintenance tasks such as bush hogging, spraying, and spreading lime and fertilizer.Physical Requirements:Ability to perform up to 8 hours of physical labor in a barn, farm and outdoor setting daily.Ability to safely lift, carry push and pull 60 pounds regularly (hay bales, feed bags, equipment)Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist to perform equine care and farm maintenance.Ability to maintain calm demeanor and act quickly and decisively in high stress situations to ensure immediate safety of residents, other staff, and livestock.Ability to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, snow).This Position Is Designated As Mandatory And Must Report Or Stay Over During Adverse Weather Events.Shift Hours: 1st shift (7:30 am – 4:00 pm), Monday - FridayAbout J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center:The J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center in Morganton, North Carolina is an ICF certified facility for individuals with intellectual disabilities. We provide comprehensive residential care to citizens from 37 counties in the western portion of the state. JIRDC is a caring community where professionals work with people of various ages, cognitive, & functional abilities.The J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center is located just an hour from the Queen City of Charlotte, home of the Carolina Panthers and the City of Asheville, home to the world renowned Biltmore Estate and Grove Park Inn. Our facility sits on one of the most picturesque properties in Burke County. We are nestled at the foot of the Blue Ridge and South Mountains and just minutes from beautiful Lake James. Nearby Pisgah National Forest offers outdoor adventure and fun for the whole family.Supplemental Contact Information:The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/ .Positions in the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing and criminal record background checks. Also, the use of tobacco products of any kind including vapor products are prohibited from our campuses. All employees are required to adhere to the facility's Vaccination Policy.DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303 , our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.Application Process Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the \"Work Experience\" section of the application, to support your answers.If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted.Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are \"Under Review\" and will be screened by Human Resources for the qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members .Degree/College Credit VerificationDegrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.Veteran’s and National Guard PreferenceApplicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.Applicants who are former member of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.ADA AccommodationsConsistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus:To qualify for the Sign-on Bonus, a newly hired permanent full-time or permanent part-time employee must work 30 to 40 hours per week to be eligible. Those who are eligible and working less than 40 hours a week will receive a prorated rate.An employee is not eligible for a sign-on bonus if:The employee has held a position in the North Carolina State government, including the judicial system, or the University of North Carolina system, within the last 12 months (the employee shall remain ineligible for 12 months from the separation date)The employee has previously received a sign-on bonus from any State agencyDHHS has paid any contract placement or recruitment fees.All Sign-on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found .CONTACT INFORMATION:If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail] . Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.Minimum Education and ExperienceSome state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.High school or General Educational Development diploma and one year of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.EEO StatementT he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.Recruiter:Meganna Gentle BennerContact:DHHS Workday Support Form