Orientation And Mobility Instructor Or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (Various Locations Available)

Department Information

A residency waiver has been granted for this announcement.

Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL REMAIN OPEN UNTIL FRIDAY, MAY 10TH, 2024.

This position will have remote and hybrid workplace options available but will still be required to report to the listed address at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business need.

The Department of Labor and Employment keeps Colorado strong and competitive. We connect workers with great jobs and assist those who have been injured on the job. We help people who are unemployed through no fault of their own by providing temporary wage replacement and we ensure fair labor practices. We provide an up-to-date and accurate picture of the economy that helps in decision making. And we protect the workplace - and Colorado communities - with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs.

This is a values-driven organization, committed to accountability, agility, collaboration, and respect.

We believe in outstanding customer service, an inclusive culture, continued process improvement and in our role as a trusted and strategic partner. Recognizing that knowledgeable employees drive our success, we are seeking dedicated individuals who exhibit our shared values and our passion for quality and excellence in all we do.

In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer excellent benefits:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• MotivateMe employee wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Access to participate in employer-supported employee affinity spaces

• RTD Eco-Pass Commuter Program

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programsOur agency website: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

CDLE has implemented a pilot program on March 1st, 2022 which will award Disability Hiring Preference Points similar to the Veterans' Preference Points program. During your application process you will be asked if you would like to be considered for either of these programs for additional points in the hiring process. To learn more about Disability Hiring Preference and what will be required to participate, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/disability-hiring-preference/home

PLEASE NOTE: With the beginning of this program, CDLE will no longer accept attachments of any kind with applications. Please be as thorough as possible in documenting your education and work history in the application system. Attachments will not be accepted or considered during any phase of the hiring process including minimum qualification screening, comparative analysis, or interviews.

Description of Job

Salary:

$29.70 - $35.97 Hourly

$2,376.00 - $2,877.23 Biweekly

$5,148.00 - $6,234.00 Monthly

$61,776.00 - $74,808.00 Annually

Classification: Rehabilitation Counselor I (H6R2TX)

This position exists to instruct individuals with visual impairments in independent travel, communications, home and personal management, assistive technology, and other skills to prepare them to reach their highest level of independence at work, home, and/or in the community. Counseling and guidance is provided on an ongoing basis to aid the client in coping with his/her visual loss. Special emphasis is given to helping the client make effective personal choices and accessing community resources.

Duties include:

• Analyzing and assimilating medical, psychological, vocational, social, and education information into training objectives in plan that are specific for each individual, designed to meet client expectations and needs and correlate with IPE goals.

• Using appropriate motivational and instructional techniques to build trust and self confidence in client so that he or she can tackle the difficult and challenging task of street crossings, using public transportation, traveling along, finding new locations, etc.

• Making professional presentations at seminars/conferences; providing training to clients, families, and interested community members.

• Attending training and conferences on new technology and approaches in the field and share this information with co-workers and implement the knowledge and skills with clients.

• Communicating and coordinating with employers in any work environment to assist client to access job site and acquire appropriate accommodations on the job.

• Providing disability awareness training to employers to reduce negative attitudes toward blindness and improve the employment outcome for individuals who are blind.

2 position available

Locations:

Denver Metro

• 1 or 2 positions

Grand Junction

• 1 position

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Education and Experience

Possession of a current certification in Orientation and Mobility and/or Vision Rehabilitation Therapy from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Orientation and Mobility, Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, Blind and Low Vision Studies, Special Education, Social Work, Behavioral Science, Disability Studies or closely related human services field.

AND

Two (2) years of experience years of experience providing Orientation and Mobility instruction and/or Vision Rehabilitation training to the blind/low vision population.

Required Competencies:

• Teaching Skills: Foundational understanding of teaching skills, including preparation for lessons, tailoring instruction to individual needs, maintaining rapport and providing construction feedback. Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability, professional values and attitudes, active listening and observation skills, showing empathy, respect, thoughtfulness, and patience.

• Job Knowledge and Case Management: Foundational understanding of federal regulations, instructor demonstrates foundational knowledge of all vision rehabilitation training areas and application of caseload management skills. This includes effective management of time. An instructor leverages resources by developing positive working relationships with individuals, community partners and employers to promote and optimize successful employment outcomes.

• Collaboration: Skills necessary to foster a collaborative environment as it pertains to community partners, vendors and staff to assure the success of people we serve.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Along with O&M instruction, experience instructing the blind-low vision population in daily living skills, low vision rehabilitation and/or assistive technology related to the blind-low vision field.

• Professional experience working for a state vocational rehabilitation agency.

• Professional experience working to assist people with disabilities to achieve successful employment outcomes.

• Experience in vocational, career counseling, academic advisement.

• Experience using the AWARE software system

Conditions of Employment:

• Any applicant selected from outside of Colorado will be required to become a Colorado Resident by their start of employment date.

• You must pass a thorough background check prior to employment which will include the E-Verify process

• Travel is required for this position and may include areas of the state where public transportation is not readily available.

• All applicants must submit their academic transcripts to david.stevenson@state.co.us with Orientation & Mobility Instructor Denver Metro in the subject line.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact: david.stevenson@state.co.us

Minimum Qualification Screening

A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, CDLE does not accept attachments of any kind during the application process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. CDLE does not accept attachments of any kind during the application process.

Comparative Analysis Process

• Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit with your application materials. Therefore, it is extremely important to document in the work experience/job duties portion of your online application the extent to which you possess the education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement. It is also important to thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase.

Supplemental Questions

Answer the supplemental questions on the application completely and thoughtfully. Your answers may be rated based on your writing ability (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing) as well as the content of your answer.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Sean Montoya, at sean.montoya@state.co.us. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For all other inquiries about this recruitment effort, please call 303-318-8200.