Blind Children's Specialist I
About The Position
The Blind Children’s Specialist I performs entry-level work providing services to children who are blind or visually impaired and their families. Through direct skills training, parent education, and case management, the specialist promotes children’s self-sufficiency and fosters vocational discovery and development. The role provides direct services and manages a caseload in a designated territory, partnering with community and educational partners to help each child reach individual goals. Work is performed under general supervision with substantial mentoring, while allowing some initiative and independent judgment. The specialist may train and mentor other specialists and performs related work or other duties as assigned. This position is based at the HHS Abilene office and serves a caseload in Abilene and surrounding areas. It is eligible for telework, involves travel up to 75%, and has a day shift.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- At least 1 year of experience providing case management.
- At least 1 year of experience working with children.
- At least 1 year of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
- Working knowledge of child growth and development.
- Working knowledge of psychological, social, and pre-vocational issues faced by people who are 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 a personal computer and familiarity with Windows and Microsoft Office software.
- Skill in assessing and providing appropriate counseling, guidance, and other assistance in connection with an 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 outside agencies.
- Ability to plan, organize, and review essential functions for efficient results.
- Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; calculate decimals and percentages; and interpret graphs.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in child development, special education, counseling, human services, sociology, rehabilitation, or psychology.
- Master’s degree.
- At least 2 years of experience teaching and/or training children.
- At least 2 years of experience providing case management.
Responsibilities
- Implement and document quality BCVDDP services to children and families.
- Provide BCVDDP direct skills training services to children, families, external partners, and BCP staff.
- Maintain compliance with BCVDDP program policy, procedures, and quality assurance requirements.
- Pursue professional development to advance the BCVDDP mission and services.
- Provide direct services and manage a caseload in a designated territory.
- Partner with community and educational partners to help children reach their individual goals.
- May provide training and mentoring to other specialists.
- Perform related work or other duties as assigned.
Benefits
- 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
- Defined benefit pension plan.
- Generous time off benefits.
- Numerous opportunities for career advancement.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
