Deaf Services Specialist

State of North Carolina

12d

About The Position

DSDHH is hiring! We are seeking a Deaf Services specialist to lead community development, advocacy, public outreach and awareness, and training at the DSDHH Wilmington Regional Center. As a Deaf Services Specialist, you will train Deaf consumers, service providers, and agencies on special topics including ADA laws, self-advocacy, education issues, and mental health services. You will help DSDHH's Wilmington Regional Center with Community Development. You will develop and maintain a collective of resources and materials on videotapes, information, books, and materials on ADA, social services, sign language, Deaf culture, etc. Agencies will look to you as a consultant on how to serve Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind individuals. Deaf consumers will look to you for assistance. The Deaf community will need your information/referrals on available resources and services to meet personal/family needs. Maintaining public relations will be crucial in this role. From writing articles about the Deaf issues to serving on Deaf advisory groups and task forces, your knowledge and expertise will serve the interests and needs of the Deaf population in Wilmington. Your advocacy will help Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind individuals in all matters of daily life such as employment, law, medicine, and education. You'll assist individuals in the Deaf community achieve success in these fields. You'll also provide awareness and sensitivity training to related service providers in this role, helping service providers accommodate and meet the needs of the Deaf community. The Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing (DSDHH) assures equal access to North Carolina citizens who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind. To help us with our efforts, apply as a Deaf Services Specialist today! Having American Sign Language experience/knowledge is a plus!

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a field relative to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related work experience with the client population; or Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a related programmatic area providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in social and cultural activities with the Deaf and Deaf Blind and/or elderly population
• Profound appreciation of communication and psychological challenges faced by Deaf and Deaf Blind individuals
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws, programs and services relating to Deaf and Deaf Blind North Carolinians
• Effective public presentation
• Ability and commitment to communicate effectively with Deaf and Deaf Blind people
• Basic Knowledge/ skills in American Sign Language

Responsibilities

• Lead community development
• Advocacy
• Public outreach and awareness
• Training at the DSDHH Wilmington Regional Center
• Train Deaf consumers, service providers, and agencies on special topics including ADA laws, self-advocacy, education issues, and mental health services
• Help DSDHH's Wilmington Regional Center with Community Development
• Develop and maintain a collective of resources and materials on videotapes, information, books, and materials on ADA, social services, sign language, Deaf culture, etc
• Serve as a consultant on how to serve Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind individuals
• Provide information/referrals on available resources and services to meet personal/family needs
• Maintain public relations
• Write articles about the Deaf issues
• Serve on Deaf advisory groups and task forces
• Advocate for Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind individuals in all matters of daily life such as employment, law, medicine, and education
• Provide awareness and sensitivity training to related service providers

Benefits

• Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis)
• Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave
• In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level