Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern (College)

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 47,000 - 71,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is seeking a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern for the Pittsburgh District Office. You will gain formal instruction, on-the-job training, and hands-on experience helping people who are blind or visually impaired achieve self-sufficiency.

Enrollment in the final year of an accredited degree or certificate program is required, with potential telework after training and a 37.5-hour work week in Pittsburgh, PA.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in the final year of a bachelor's, master's or certificate program in rehabilitation teaching of the blind or visually impaired.
• Authorization by the college to participate in the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern program.
• PA residency requirement is waived for this title.
• Ability to perform essential job functions.
• Compliance with legal clearances including background checks.

Responsibilities

• Assess customers by interviewing and observing to identify needs.
• Develop an individualized plan of instruction with customer input.
• Teach skills to help customers live independently and stay connected with communities.
• Monitor progress and adjust objectives to maximize learning.
• Write case narratives and record progress data.
• Provide consultation and training for community program staff.

Skills

Coping skills

Adaptive techniques

Interpersonal communication

Assessment

Education

Final-year Bachelor's/Master's in rehabilitation

Job description

Salary: $46,827.00 - $70,592.00 Annually

Location: Allegheny County, PA

Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time

Job Number: CS-2026-60488-44215

Department: Department of Labor & Industry

Division: LI BBVS Pittsburgh Dstr Off

Opening Date: 10/19/2026

Closing Date: 11/15/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Job Code: 44215

Position Number: 00262829

Union: SEIU

Bargaining Unit: F4

Pay Group: ST05

Bureau / Division Code: 00126470

Bureau / Division: Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services, Pittsburgh District Office

Worksite Address: 531 Penn Avenue

City: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Zip Code: 15222

Contact Name: Kaleya Rivera Pena

Contact Email: [e-mail]

THE POSITION

Are you enrolled in the final semester of a qualifying bachelor's or master's degree program or certificate program and searching for a professional opportunity to help people achieve optimal personal and social adjustment to blindness that leads to self-sufficiency? Become a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern with our Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services, Pittsburgh District Office. This highly structured internship involves formal instruction, on-the-job training, and practical work experience in providing rehabilitation therapy for persons who are blind or visually impaired to enhance their vocational opportunities, independent living, and educational development. Step into a job where your efforts help transform futures every day.

Upon successful completion of the internship and the degree or certificate program, interns will be eligible for promotion as a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This internship focuses on entry-level professional work teaching coping skills and adaptive techniques to customers who are blind and visually impaired. It works directly with individuals, collaborates other professionals, and connects with community programs to promote optimal personal and social adjustment leading to self-sufficiency and independent living. As a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern, you will learn and perform the following duties:

• Assessment Work: Interview, evaluate, and observe customers to identify their current needs
• Care Planning: Develop an individualized plan of instruction with customer participation that outlines goals, activities, and equipment needed
• Skill Instruction: Teach skills and techniques that help customers be self-sufficient, live independently, and stay connected to their communities
• Progress Monitoring: Evaluate achievements and adjust objectives when needed to maximize learning benefits for each customer
• Record Keeping: Write case narratives and record statistical data of case details, plans, and progress
• Community Support: Provide consultation and training for staff of community programs and facilities to promote positive attitudes and understanding

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full time employment, 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday
• Work hours are negotiable within a 7.5 hour work day, with a 30- or 60-minute lunch, depending on selected work hours.
• The position is eligible for Alternate Work Schedules (AWS).
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, after completion of the training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Worksite Address: The address is: 531 Penn Ave Pittsburgh PA 15222. However, headquarters location may be flexible depending on the selected candidate.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $46,827 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Internship Training Requirements:

• Current enrollment in the final year of an accredited college or university bachelor's or master's degree or certificate program in rehabilitation teaching of the blind or visually impaired, vision rehabilitation therapy, teacher of the visually impaired, or education with a concentration in visual impairment.

Special Requirement:

• Authorization by the college or university for the student to participate in the commonwealth's Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern program. Upon entering the internship, the student must be enrolled in the final semester of the appropriate degree or certificate program.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.