Rehabilitation Teacher

South Dakota State Government; Pierre (SD); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation Leave

Sick Leave

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Holidays

Job summary

Department of Human Services - Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired is hiring a Rehabilitation Teacher for its Independent Living Blind Program in Aberdeen or Redfield, SD. You will assess needs, plan individualized training, and provide hands-on instruction to help older adults remain independent at home.

The role requires independent fieldwork, client contact management, and flexible scheduling across communities in northeastern South Dakota.

Qualifications

• This role requires experience teaching or coaching older adults and managing caseloads.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills are essential.
• Ability to organize travel, documentation, and deadlines independently.

Responsibilities

• Develop individualized training plans and conduct functional assessments.
• Provide hands-on instruction to help clients adapt to vision loss.
• Manage a caseload across multiple settings, updating records and progress.
• Collaborate with families and providers to coordinate services.

Skills

Teaching experience

Coaching

Case management

Communication

Organization & time management

Independent work

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in human services/education/social work/nursing/rehabilitation

Tools

Microsoft Office

Electronic case management system

Job description

Job ID: 38447

Agency: Department of Human Services - Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired

Location: Aberdeen or Redfield, SD

Salary: $25.02 Hourly, depending on qualifications

Pay Grade: H

Closing Date: 11/19/26

This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Human Services - Division of Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired. For more information on the Department of Human Services, please visit https://dhs.sd.gov/en/sbvi .

Summary

See What You Can Do!

Looking for a career where you can make a difference, work independently, and help people regain confidence in their everyday lives?

Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI) is hiring a Rehabilitation Teacher for our Independent Living Blind Program in Aberdeen or Redfield, South Dakota.

As a Rehabilitation Teacher, you'll help older adults experiencing vision loss learn practical skills to remain safe and independent in their homes and communities. You'll conduct functional assessments, develop individualized training plans, and provide hands-on instruction that helps people adapt to vision loss and continue doing the things that matter most to them.

This is a field-based position where you'll manage your own caseload, organize your schedule around client needs, and travel throughout your assigned territory. You'll have the independence to plan your work, along with the responsibility to maintain client contact, document services, and keep your cases moving forward.

No experience working with vision loss? That's okay! We provide structured onboarding, specialized training in the Skills of Blindness, and ongoing support from an experienced team. We're looking for someone who enjoys teaching others, builds strong relationships, solves problems, and takes pride in doing their work well.

If you have a background in human services, education, social work, nursing, rehabilitation, or another helping profession, your skills may be exactly what we're looking for!

You won't restore someone's sight, but you can help them rediscover their independence, one skill at a time.

This is a field-based position serving older adults experiencing vision loss throughout the communities in northeastern South Dakota. Work takes place in an office, client homes, and community settings. Travel is expected three to four days per week, with occasional overnight stays depending on client needs, territory coverage, and training opportunities. A state vehicle is provided for official travel.

Because services are delivered in clients' homes, working environments will vary and may include pets, smoke, odors, clutter, uneven surfaces, steps, and other environmental or accessibility challenges.

The position involves transporting, setting up, and demonstrating low vision devices and adaptive equipment weighing up to 35 pounds. Some instructional activities may involve standing, walking, reaching, bending, stooping, and using your hands to demonstrate daily living skills and equipment.

The Rehabilitation Teacher must be able to work independently in community settings, manage travel and appointments, and use a computer, manage email, and use the electronic case management system to complete required documentation.

The State of South Dakota offers a competitive benefits package for employees, including:

• 15 days/120 Hours of Vacation Leave
• 14 days/112 Hours of Sick Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Employee health insurance includes a $0 premium plan for employee-only coverage
• Flexible Benefits include Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Critical Illness and more
• Paid Parental & Family Medical Leave
• 6% Fully Matched Retirement Plan
• Reduced Tuition for In-State Colleges/Universities
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Continued Education/Training Opportunities

The Ideal Candidate Will Have

• experience teaching, coaching, providing case management, or supporting older adults, people with disabilities, or individuals navigating significant life changes;
• strong communication and relationship-building skills, including the ability to work effectively with clients, families, community providers, and other professionals;
• excellent organization, time management, and follow-through when independently managing a caseload, travel, documentation, and deadlines;
• sound judgment and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess needs, establish meaningful goals, and make decisions independently while recognizing when to seek guidance;
• patience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn about vision loss, functional assessments, adaptive techniques, and assistive technology;
• a commitment to ethical practice, client confidentiality, and person-centered services;
• a bachelor's degree in human services, education, social work, nursing, rehabilitation, or a related field is preferred. Equivalent education and relevant experience may be considered.

Knowledge of

• adult learning principles and instructional techniques used to teach practical, everyday skills;
• the functional, emotional, and social effects of vision loss and other disabilities, particularly among older adults;
• assessment methods, individualized service planning, and techniques for evaluating client progress;
• community resources and support services available to older adults and individuals with disabilities;
• basic medical and rehabilitation terminology related to aging, disability, and vision loss.

Ability to

• conduct functional assessments and identify how vision loss affects an individual's daily activities and independence.
• break everyday tasks into manageable steps and adapt instruction to different learning styles, physical abilities, and home environments.
• learn, demonstrate, and teach the use of adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and techniques for living with vision loss.
• recognize barriers to achieving client goals, evaluate progress, and adjust instruction or service plans as needed.
• coordinate services and referrals with community providers to address client needs.
• maintain accurate case records that document services, progress toward goals, and necessary follow-up.
• learn and consistently apply program policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• use Microsoft Office applications and electronic case management systems to manage client information and complete required work.

Additional Requirements

To be considered, please attach your resume and cover letter.

This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.

NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.

The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.

The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.

'An Equal Opportunity Employer'