AgencyDept of Health and Human ServicesDivisionBlind ServicesJob Classification TitleVision Rehabilitation Specialist (NS)Position Number60043096GradeNC09About UsThe North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.Description of WorkThis position provides individualized orientation and mobility (O&M) assessments and training for consumers who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. The role delivers instruction in specialized skill areas that support consumers in achieving their independent living, travel, and employment goals.Key responsibilities include assessing each consumer's needs, goals, readiness, and motivation to learn O&M skills, as well as evaluating their understanding of spatial and directional concepts. The position provides one-on-one instruction in areas such as sensory and concept development, pre-cane skills, sighted-guide techniques, cane travel, route planning across a variety of environments, soliciting assistance, using public transportation, maximizing residual vision, and applying low-vision or electronic travel aids.Additional duties include determining mobility needs based on prior O&M training, residual vision, individual circumstances, and physical or mental conditions, as well as identifying locomotor, auditory, visual, or other challenges and making referrals to appropriate specialists.Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management PreferencesSalary Range: $39,671.00 - $69,426.00Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement. The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred:· Experience working with individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind, including an understanding of their unique travel and independent living needs.· Knowledge of orientation and mobility principles and techniques, with experience applying O&M instructional methods in community or educational settings.· Demonstrated skill in teaching or utilizing cane travel techniques, including assessing readiness, introducing appropriate skills, and supporting safe, independent travel.Position is funded in part through federal funds.Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end dateAbout the NC Division of Services for the Blind (DSB):The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf- blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment. Compensation and Benefits:The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive 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. Visit website for benefits. Supplemental Contact Information:The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. Application ProcessBe sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the closing date will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on the closing date.Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.Degree/College Credit VerificationDegrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.Veterans' and National Guard PreferenceApplicants seeking Veteran''s Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of their DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.ADA AccommodationsConsistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.CONTACT INFORMATION: If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.Minimum Education and ExperienceSome state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.Bachelor''s degree in visual impairment field from an appropriately accredited institution and certification by the Academy for Certification of Education and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) as (1) Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT),or(2) Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist,or(3) Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS),or(4) Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist as needed for the area of assignment; or bachelor's degree in a related field such as rehabilitation counseling or social work and three years of direct service experience with individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and certification as indicated above as needed for the area of assignment.Applicants who do not possess certification are required to obtain certification within two years from the date of employment. Management has the option of choosing certification requirements based on the area of assignment in order to meet the needs of the clients and the program. Recruitment announcements should reflect only one of the certification requirements.EEO StatementThe State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.Recruiter:LaWanna BakerEmail: talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.govLAWANNA.BAKER@DHHS.NC.GOV