Assistive Technology Specialist

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position, as a member of a highly specialized team of professionals, operating within the Personal Adjustment Training Program, exists to train individuals who have severe visual and/or other disabilities. This position provides training on computer programs for persons we serve. Provides instruction in the use of access technology and computer application programs for personal, educational, and vocational use. The Department of Labor and Employment keeps Colorado strong and competitive. We connect workers with great jobs and assist those who have been injured on the job. We help people who are unemployed through no fault of their own by providing temporary wage replacement and we ensure fair labor practices. We provide an up-to-date and accurate picture of the economy that helps in decision making. And we protect the workplace – and Colorado communities – with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs. This is a values-driven organization, committed to accountability, agility, collaboration, and respect. We believe in outstanding customer service, an inclusive culture, continued process improvement and in our role as a trusted and strategic partner. Recognizing that knowledgeable employees drive our success, we are seeking dedicated individuals who exhibit our shared values and our passion for quality and excellence in all we do.

Requirements

Six (6) years of relevant experience in providing services and/or education to individuals who are blind or visually impaired in assistive technology OR A combination of related education in Assistive Technology, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned (as stated above) equal to six (6) years
Ability to instruct techniques for integrating assistive technology, devices, hardware and software into the individual’s daily activities including home and work.
Apply learning styles and learning theory to suit the individual’s needs.
Ability to create a training plan specific to an individual's abilities, goals and needs and adjust scope, structure and pace of instruction to the individual’s learning style and capacity for new information.
Ability to determine the necessary and appropriate assistive technology devices, hardware, and software for the person’s individualized needs, goals, skill level, and degree of vision loss.
Ability to instruct basic to intermediate screen reader skills, including JAWS, VoiceOver, etc.
Ability to instruct typing skills via accessible platforms.
Proficient in Windows Suite and Google Suite.

Nice To Haves

Professional experience working for a state vocational rehabilitation agency.
Professional experience working to assist people with disabilities to achieve successful employment outcomes.
Prior experience providing training and/or coaching for new and existing employees.
Possession of the Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS) certification
Possession of an assistive technology certificate or degree
Performing similar duties as a State of Colorado classified employee.

Responsibilities

Conducts individualized interviews with the person we serve to determine the nature and scope of assistive technology training.
Monitors performance, satisfaction, progress, and outcomes.
Has ability to formulate instructional plans and provide appropriate instruction to meet the needs of the person we serve.
Analyzes performance and determines trends, changes and effectiveness to formulate conclusions and recommendations to the teaching plan.
Develops course materials for specific computer training by mastering applications, determining class concepts, objectives and content and developing step by step instructions and class exercises in order to meet computer training needs.
Be able, at a minimum, to fully use Microsoft Office products, e-mail system, and the Internet, plus specialized software/hardware for persons who are blind and/or visually impaired.
Complies with Federal and State regulations regarding expenditure of funds, consults with supervisor regarding budgetary needs for this training area.
Maintains, tests, and modifies software and other adaptations of computer systems as needed for persons with disabilities who participate in this training program.
Prepares written reports with recommendations for training programs, software, hardware, and other training needs.
Documents performances of a person we serve in conjunction with established vocational plans to accomplish goals and objectives in the plan.
Serves as an advisory in maintaining state of the art training in adaptive equipment and software.
Serves as an expert and consultant to agency staff, employers, and other community organizations.
Analyzes and integrates medical, psychological, vocational, social, and educational information into training objectives that are specific for each individual, designed to meet expectations and needs and correlate with IPE goals.
Uses the information and analysis results to implement programs that collaborate with other DVR staff, are derived from educational theories, integrate consultation with other professionals, and use practical experience.
Communicates and informs referral sources regarding the nature and scope of the training program and provide feedback as appropriate.
Evaluates instructional needs in a variety of settings (work, home, community), and modifies instructional needs that change during evaluation and service delivery throughout the rehabilitation process.
Counsels people we serve to develop instructional goals, identify service needs and plan appropriate types and duration of instructional services, and document progress towards meeting plan objectives, develop relationships with employers and other agencies and coordinate and collaborate with other agencies when appropriate and provide follow-up as needed.
Maximize services and ensure cost effective use of tax dollars.
Facilitate the empowerment of blind individuals and their families by providing adjustment counseling and assistance in accessing peer networks and community resources.
Evaluates and counsel persons we serve on skills needed to meet goals; periodically measure, review progress with the person we serve and other involved parties.
Negotiates and collaborates with multiple community programs and agencies to best combine resources and services; avoiding duplication, promoting collaboration and resolving conflicts that may occur.
Facilitates and assists people we serve to become aware of and overcome their own and society’s negative attitudes about blindness.
Provides counseling/guidance and teaching opportunities for persons with disabilities in the community, educating about legislation such as the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Provides Disability Awareness training to employers to reduce negative attitudes toward blindness and improve the employment outcome for individuals who are blind.
Possesses working knowledge of Federal and State policies/regulations and legislation as well as various changes and updates; serves on agency and community task forces; meets established individual production goals; has knowledge of medical terminology; investigates updated and current technologies and training techniques; researches equipment to meet individuals’ needs.
Participates in staff meetings and in-service training/conferences, consults with peers and other professionals within and outside the agency, reads professional literature to assure optimum level of professional competency in teaching/counseling techniques, staying abreast of emerging assistive technology in the field, and provides specialized training in the community to increase public knowledge of issues pertaining to blindness in a variety of environments.

Benefits

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
BenefitHub state employee discount program
MotivateMe employee wellness program
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
Access to participate in employer-supported employee affinity spaces
RTD EcoPass Commuter Program