Blind Children's Specialist I

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Dallas, TX

13d • Hybrid

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage. The Blind Children’s Specialist I is hired by and reports to the Program Manager. The Blind Children’s Specialist I performs entry level work and is responsible for providing services to children who are blind and visually impaired children and their families through direct skills trainings, parent education and case management to promote the child’s self-sufficiency and foster vocational discovery and development. Employees in this class provide direct services and caseload management in a designated territory and partner with community and educational partners to ensure each child reaches their individual goals. Work at this level is performed under general supervision and substantial mentoring with some latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employees in this class may provide training and mentoring to other specialists. Performs related work as directed or other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Working knowledge of child growth and development.
• Working knowledge of the psychological, social, pre-vocational issues faced by blind or visually impaired.
• Working knowledge of counseling techniques as applied to children with disabilities.
• Working knowledge of resources applicable to children with visual disabilities.
• Working knowledge of caseload management by objectives.
• Working knowledge of report and record maintenance principles and practices.
• Skill in using personal computer and familiarity with Windows environment and Microsoft Office software.
• Skill in assessing and providing appropriate counseling, guidance and other assistance in connection with the established program plan.
• Ability to formulate an individual program plan with the child and family based on diagnostic and evaluative data.
• Ability to clearly express ideas, instructions, and reports orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers, departmental staff, agency staff, and the outside agencies with which the position interacts.
• Ability to plan, organize and review essential functions for efficient results.
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculate decimals and percentages; interpret graphs
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• 1 year experience providing case management.
• 1 year experience working with children.
• 1 year experience working with individuals with disabilities.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree, preference in child development, special education, counseling, human services, sociology, rehabilitation, or psychology.
• Master's degree.
• 2 years of experience teaching and/or training children.
• 2 years of experience providing case management.

Responsibilities

• Implementing and documenting quality BCVDDP services to children and families (35%)
• Provides high quality BCVDDP Direct Skills Training services to children, families, external partners and BCP staff. (30%)
• Maintains compliance with BCVDDP Program Policy, Procedures and Quality Assurance. (25%)
• Professional Development to advance the BCVDDP mission and services (10%)

Benefits

• comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees
• defined benefit pension plan
• generous time off benefits
• numerous opportunities for career advancement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees