[Hiring] DeafBlind Employment Specialist @Helen Keller Services

Role Description

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community.

Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations.

We currently have an exciting career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as a DeafBlind Employment Specialist in our South Eastern Region. This position is based out of Tennessee.

The primary focus of the DeafBlind Employment Specialist will be to provide one-on-one services to consumers to assist with achievement of employment outcomes, with a commitment to a fully inclusive community-based environment. The DeafBlind Employment Specialist will also offer training and technical assistance to their families and service providers. This position carries out identified and specific targeted activities, as outlined by the state’s DeafBlind Interagency Team (DBIT) to assist the HKNC Regional Representative and interagency team with building capacity within the state. The DeafBlind Employment Specialist will work in tandem and report directly to the HKNC Regional Representative.

Salary Range: $55-58k annually.

• Location: Must live in the state of TN.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Perform duties and activities as directed, consistent with the HKNC and the designated state’s community rehabilitation provider agreement.
• Provide one-on-one and group-based employment-focused, direct services to consumers in the designated state.
• Work collaboratively with local service providers and local community partners to develop a team to execute Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).
• Provide additional direct services as needed which may include assistive technology (AT), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) assistance, self-advocacy training, and other casework as determined on a case-by-case basis.
• Assist with identifying service gaps and unmet needs of consumers with HKNC Regional Representative and community partners.
• Assist with providing outreach opportunities to educate Vocational Rehabilitation personnel about the capabilities of DeafBlind individuals.
• Be the liaison and professional trainer to work with the Helen Keller National Center and Vocational Rehabilitation.
• Assist with providing training and mentoring to the community and state employment specialists.
• Collaborate with consumers and community partners to identify DeafBlind youth and adults for inclusion in the HKNC National Registry.
• Assist with identifying professional learning opportunities and assist with the initial assessments for trainings needed in the state.
• Assist with working collaboratively with HKNC Vocational Services and National Employment and Business Relations Specialist.
• Assist with coordinating with the State DeafBlind Project working with transition age youth, their families, and educational personnel.
• Work jointly with the DeafBlind Immersion Experience (DBIE) coordinator for referral, implementation of follow-up recommendations and continued follow-up training for home team providers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in vocational rehabilitation, special education or a closely related degree.
• Three to five years of experience.
• Basic computer proficiency required including File Maker Pro, Outlook, MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Requirements

• Certification in good standing with emphasis in employment services, including ACRE and/or CESP.
• Familiarity with the designated state’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services Agencies.
• Fluency in communication methods used by people who are DeafBlind, including American Sign Language (ASL) and sign language in English word order.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 4 weeks' paid vacation annually
• Paid personal and sick time
• 11 Paid Holidays Off
• Life Insurance
• Short/Long Term Disability
• Additional Ancillary Benefits
• 403b Program w/Employer Match
• Employee Assistance Program
• Career Advancement opportunities
• Professional Development