DeafBlind Services Specialist

Arts In Wilmington; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Deaf and Hard of Hearing, seeks a Casework Associate II (S) to serve DeafBlind consumers and families from the Raleigh regional center. The role includes advocacy, information & referral, and developing communication-skill resources.

You will facilitate support groups, educate agencies, and provide outreach on assistive technologies and telecommunication access, sometimes outside standard hours.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of ADA and related advocacy laws as they pertain to DeafBlind populations.
• Ability to work with DeafBlind populations and provide advocacy, information and referral.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for DeafBlind consumers and families at the Raleigh Regional Center.
• Provide information and referral services and skill development to enhance communication.
• Develop and facilitate DeafBlind support groups and other resources; provide consultation to families and employers.

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Word

Databases

Job description

**Agency**Dept of Health and Human Services**Division**Deaf and Hard of Hearing**Job Classification Title**Casework Associate II (S)**Position Number**60043263**Grade**NC06The 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 Work**The DeafBlind Services Specialist serves DeafBlind consumers (and their families) at the Raleigh Regional Center located in Raleigh, NC.This position provides advocacy, information and referral, skill development to enhance communication skills, develops and facilitates deaf-blind support groups and/or other resources, consultation services to families, employers, etc. and assistance in regard to telecommunication access, including telephone equipment and various assistive technologies both in groups and/or individuals in a variety of settings including but not limited to homes and skilled care facilities. This position also provides assessment of needs and consultation for consumers applying for the NC Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program. The Deaf-Blind Services Specialist (DBSS) provides education and public presentations to agencies and organizations in the areas of DSDHH programs, hearing loss, sensitivity, awareness, and legislation as it relates to issues affecting those with hearing loss and vision loss. The DBSS participates in community events such as health & wellness fairs and other events promoting equal communication access which may require an adjusted schedule to work after normal working hours, including evenings and weekends. The individual in this position typically works with persons who are deaf and blind in the largely urban counties of NC and travels within and outside of the Raleigh region.**Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences**Salary Range: $34,270 - $59,973Recruitment Range: $34,270 - $55,779*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/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred.** Extensive knowledge of ADA and related advocacy laws as they pertain to working with DeafBlind populations* Ability to work with DeafBlind populations Demonstrated skill in developing and delivering presentations to a variety of public audiences* Knowledge and/or training in one or more of the following: resources, outreach, counseling, assistive devices (including hearing aids), techniques and other tools to assist in achieving equal communication access including laws, consumer organizations, etc.* Proficient in the use of computer applications and software to include: Excel spreadsheets; Microsoft Word; and databases**This position will close at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.****The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing** works to ensure that all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind North Carolinians have the ability to communicate their needs and to receive information easily and effectively in all aspects of their lives, especially their health and well-being**Compensation & Benefits:** The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.Visit website for**Supplemental and Contact Information**The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that 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: .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 , 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. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.* Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered \"Positions of Trust\" will be subject to a criminal background check.* 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 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 .Degree/College Credit VerificationDegrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. *Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.*Veterans’ and National Guard Preference* Applicants 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 members 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