Recreation/Life Skills Instructor (Austin)

About the position

The public vocational rehabilitation (VR) program administered through the Texas Workforce Commission helps people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain, retain, and advance in employment. The Recreation/Life Skills Instructor II-IV performs routine (journey-level) up to highly complex (senior-level) training work at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center. Work involves planning, organizing and conducting educational and instructional teaching or may coordinate, develop and evaluate educational and instructional teaching for blind or visually impaired students' habilitative or rehabilitative needs. Provides the necessary instruction in teaching self-help or self-care and vocational skills to assist customers in attaining their optimum levels of independent living and vocational goals. Works under moderate to limited supervision, with limited to moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate or may lead student related activities in rock climbing, camping, ropes courses; teaching guitar, piano, recording studio productions; various competitive sports (cycling, swimming, running) and gym workouts and crafts (woodworking, pottery, leather crafts).
• Transport students to scheduled appointments and other activities and may utilize public transportation.
• Assist with development of scheduling, student activities and provide class coverage for optimum student learning.
• Provides community-based opportunities that will enhance and support soft skills, decision making and problem-solving skills.
• Coordinate and provide training for students who are blind in Life Skills classes and specific skills activities as they relate to individual student goals.
• Assist in or may lead multiple activities to enhance student independence.
• A level IV may assist staff or external organizations in conducting specialized casework in connection with research and demonstration projects or activities; may deliver, install, and set up adaptive aids and devices; may supervise the work of others; may coordinate development or develop curriculum and course outlines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in human resources, organizational development, education, or a related field plus one year of full-time experience in positions that provided knowledge of training methods, techniques, and materials as related to individual development, education, and training programs; or in positions that provided knowledge of agency operations or programs which included giving group presentations.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in human resources, organizational development, education, or a related field plus two years of full-time experience for TS III.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in human resources, organizational development, education, or a related field plus three years of full-time experience for TS IV.
• Twelve semester hours of graduate study from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of the required qualifying experience.
• A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university will satisfy the minimum qualifications.
• One additional year of qualifying experience may be substituted for each year (30 semester hours) of the required college.

Nice-to-haves

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Therapeutic Recreation or Therapeutic Recreation Certification.
• Experience in planning, teaching and evaluating in a training program environment individually and in group setting to adults with disabilities.
• Experience in assessing student's functional levels and planning an individualize program of instruction with or on behalf of the customer.
• Knowledge of rehabilitative assessment techniques and tools of the rehabilitative process.
• Able to obtain First Aid, CPR certification within first 6 months of employment.

Benefits

• Competitive starting salary: $3,409.84 - $6,150.25/month
• Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
• Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
• Medical Insurance - Currently, the state pays 100% of the health plan premium for eligible full-time employees and 50% of the premium for their eligible dependents.
• Optional Benefits such as dental, vision, and life insurance
• 8 hours' sick leave per month
• 8 hours' vacation leave per month with potential to earn more with longevity
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services