Blindness Skills Specialist - Rehabilitation Program Specialist 2

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 67,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Telework eligible

Travel up to 75%

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development is seeking a Blindness Skills Specialist within the State Services for the Blind to design, deliver, and evaluate adaptive skills instruction for youth who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind. This role emphasizes independent living, Braille, assistive technology, and workplace readiness with in-person delivery and significant travel.

You will assess needs, set individualized goals, and collaborate with families, rehabilitation

Qualifications

• Three (3) years of experience providing adaptive skills instruction or rehabilitation teaching to youth who are blind, low vision, or DeafBlind.
• Experience conducting functional assessments in home, school, community, or vocational settings.
• Experience creating individualized training goals, instructional plans, benchmarks, or skill development strategies.
• Direct, hands-on instruction in adaptive daily living skills to adolescents or young adults with disabilities.
• Collaboration with rehabilitation professionals, educators, families, or community providers to coordinate services.
• Maintaining accurate case documentation, progress tracking, and reporting outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Design, deliver, and evaluate adaptive skills instruction for blind, low vision, and DeafBlind youth (14–21).
• Provide hands-on training in independent living, Braille, assistive technology, daily living techniques, and workplace readiness.
• Conduct functional assessments across settings and develop individualized instructional goals.
• Teach adjustment-to-blindness skills and collaborate with families, counselors, and school staff.
• Document cases and coordinate with Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre‑ETS) initiatives.
• Travel daily statewide and may require some evenings and weekends; telework eligible.

Skills

Adaptive skills instruction

Functional assessments

Individualized training goals

Direct hands-on instruction

Collaboration with professionals

Case documentation

Driver’s license/transport

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 with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

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.

Veterans

To be considered with Veteran's Status, you MUST indicate this on your application and submit a copy of your DD‑214 form and other required documentation to [e-mail] by the closing date.

Recently Separated Veterans (RSV): Effective July 1, 2009, legislation provides that the top five RSV applicants who apply and meet the qualifications for a vacancy shall be granted an interview.

Certain Disabled Veterans: Effective August 1, 2012, legislation provides state agencies with the option to appoint certain disabled veterans on a non‑competitive basis.

See the above links for criteria and eligibility.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Allex Roberge at [e-mail]

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

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 support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax‑free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care