Instructor for the Blind

State of Maryland • Prince George's, MD

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Specialist provides services to increase employment and advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities and/or provides Independent Living Services through the Independent Living Older Blind (ILOB) program. The Specialist helps consumers maintain, prepare for, and obtain gainful employment or achieve increased independence in the community, consistent with their interests, skills, capacities, strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, and informed choices.

The position applies federal and state regulations and division policy; completes initial interviews; determines applicant eligibility and the nature and scope of services needed to address disability barriers; addresses employment readiness; and ensures identified services are provided or coordinated with partners. Specialists assigned to instruction provide independent living rehabilitation instruction and job preparation training to severely visually impaired, legally blind, or totally blind individuals receiving services through the ILOB or VR programs.

The position is located at 5001 Silver Hill Road, Suite #306, Suitland, Maryland. A hybrid schedule may be available after training, with up to three telework days permitted each week. The starting salary for VR Specialist II is $65,707; State Salary Guidelines may apply. Applicants must consent to a State Police investigation, including fingerprinting.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• Two years of professional experience in a behavioral or social science-related field; or one year of professional experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist I providing rehabilitation counseling or vocational evaluation services to clients with physical or behavioral disabilities, or teaching services to clients with partial or total visual impairment.
• A Master's degree and one year of experience in a behavioral or social science-related field may substitute for two years of the required experience.
• Consent to a State Police investigation, including fingerprinting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience instructing individuals who are blind or have low vision.
• Professional experience working with blind or low vision individuals with disabilities.
• Experience providing career counseling and case management.
• Experience providing direct client or coordination services in vocational rehabilitation or another human services-related field.

Responsibilities

• Provide services that increase employment and advancement opportunities for individuals with disabilities and/or Independent Living Services through the ILOB program.
• Assist consumers in maintaining, preparing for, and obtaining gainful employment or increased independence in the community in line with their informed choices and individual circumstances.
• Apply federal and state regulations and division policy.
• Complete initial interviews and determine applicant eligibility for services.
• Determine the nature and scope of services necessary to address disability barriers.
• Address employment readiness.
• Ensure identified services are provided and/or coordinated with partners.
• For instructional assignments, provide independent living rehabilitation instruction and job preparation training to severely visually impaired, legally blind, or totally blind individuals receiving ILOB or VR services.

What This Job Offers

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