Instructor for the Blind (VR Specialist II)

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE); Maryland; On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) seeks a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist to enable individuals with disabilities to pursue employment and greater independence through the ILOB program. The role includes assessing eligibility, designing services and coordinating with partners to address barriers to employment.

Requires a Bachelor’s degree; Master’s may substitute for two years of experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in behavioral or social science related field or equivalent.
• Two years of professional experience in behavioral/social science or one year in VR/rehabilitation counseling.
• Experience with blind or low-vision individuals preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess eligibility and determine services needed for clients with disabilities.
• Provide employment readiness and job placement support.
• Coordinate services with partners and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conduct initial interviews and determine service scope.”

Skills

Rehabilitation counseling

Case management

Career counseling

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree substitution 2 years

Job description

The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Specialist provides services to increase employment and advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities and/or Independent Living Services under the Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) program. The Specialist assists consumers so that they may maintain, prepare for and obtain gainful employment or increased independence in the community consistent with their interest, skills, capacities, strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and informed choices.

The Specialist position ensures the application of federal and state regulations and division policy, completes initial interviews, determines applicant eligibility for services, determines the nature and scope of services necessary to address disability barriers, addresses employment readiness, and ensures identified services are provided and/or coordinated with various partners.

VR Specialists assigned to instruction, provide independent living rehabilitation instruction services and job preparation training to severely visually impaired, legally blind or totally blind individuals who are receiving services through the ILOB or VR programs.

Education

Possession of a Bachelor's degree.

Experience

Two years of professional experience in a behavioral or social science-related field or one year of professional experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist I providing rehabilitation counseling or vocational evaluation services to clients with physical or behavioral disabilities, or teaching services to clients with partial or total visual impairment.

Note

A Master's degree and one year of experience in a behavioral or social science-related field may be substituted for two years of the required experience. Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s).

Preferred qualifications

• Experience instructing individuals who are blind or have low vision


• Professional experience working with blind or low vision individuals with disabilities.


• Experience providing career counseling and case management


• Experience providing direct client or coordination services in a vocational rehabilitation or other human services related field.

Applicants must consent to a State Police Investigation (fingerprinting) as a routine procedure for all employees with this Agency. Transfer opportunities will be considered.

All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date.

Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

Proof of eligibility to work is required in compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act. Any misrepresentation of academic or experience requirements for this position may result in non-selection or termination of employment.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.