Rehabilitation Consultant - DBVI Youth and Family Services Coordinator

Augusta , Maine , United States | Social & Employment Services | Full-time

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Department of Labor -Bureau of Rehabilitation Services - Division for the Blind and Visually ImpairedJob Class Code:3088

Grade: 24(Professional/Technical)Salary: $50,190 - $67,641

Location: Statewide - Portland, Augusta or Bangor Opening Date: June 24, 2024Closing Date: July 10, 2024

(There will be a 3% across the board general salary increase effective June 30th, 2024.)

Are you interested in transforming lives, working as part of a motivated team of professionals serving individuals who are blind or visually impaired in achieving their employment and training goals?

The DBVI Youth and Family Services Coordinator will develop and oversee the continuum of services and support for youth who are blind and visually impaired and their families to maximize the employment, independence, and integration of individuals who are blind and visually impaired into their communities.

MDOL supports success through intentional collaboration, innovative thinking, and adaptability. We value an inclusive, diverse, and accessible workplace where all employees thrive and contribute to the overall success of the agency.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Oversee the development and systematic implementation of services for youth who are blind and visually impaired and their families including, but not limited to, adjustment counseling, peer and family supports services, afterschool programming, and group services. This may include writing grants and contracts and researching other successful programs nationally and connecting with peers across the nation.

• Act as a member of the DBVI leadership team to support the work of DBVI staff and partners across the system of services and support for individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

• Oversee all Transition Services including Pre-Employment Transition Services for DBVI and partners including assessing the needs of youth, planning, executing, and evaluating programming in response to the identified needs, communicating internally and externally on programs and successes, maintaining an annual calendar of events, coordinating collaborative meetings, supporting and promoting partner organizations in delivering Pre-ETS including Procurement Card purchases, researching national best practices, implementing them in Maine and ensuring DBVI mees federal requirements.

• Consult on the programmatic components of the Education Services contract and MOU in conjunction with the Division Director.

• Support the work of the Blindness Rehabilitation Specialists (BLRS) in relation to the overall system.

• Support recruitment and retention strategies for TVIs.

• Support the work of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in providing VR services including identifying supported employment opportunities for youth in accordance with federal regulations and best practices.

• Organize training and professional development opportunities for DBVI staff and partners on Transition and Pre-Employment Transition services, youth and family needs, as well as lead the planning and execution of All Blindness Agency Day and DBVI Day.

• Monitor program successes by using data. Create reports to continually assess the needs of youth who are blind and visually impaired and their families and implement innovative strategies to address unmet needs.

Skills or knowledge required:

• Knowledge of rehabilitation services and programs.

• Knowledge of human growth and development and its impact on adult behavior.

• Knowledge of sensory, physical, mental and emotional conditions affecting social and vocational adjustment.

• Ability to use methods and techniques of vocational and professional counseling.

• Knowledge of program management, grants, event planning, and data-informed decision making.

• Ability to analyze functional capacity, identify transferable skills, and interpret medical reports.

• Ability to work independently as a counselor and as a part of a multidisciplinary team.

• Leadership skills.

• Ability to be flexible and handle sudden changes in demands.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Minimum qualifications:

A Masters Degree in one of the Social/Behavioral Sciences or Public Administration and two (2) years experience in the rehabilitation of the disabled. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Preference will be given to those applicants:

Experience in serving individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

Contact information:

Questions about this position should be directed to Elissa Rowe atElissa.Rowe@maine.gov

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and copies of any transcripts or certifications you wish to have considered while evaluating your application. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such.

If you require a paper application, please download and print one here https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process or contact our office at 207-623-6700. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with cover letter and resume before the closing date to Security & Employment Service Center, 45 Commerce Drive, Augusta, ME 04330 or faxed to 207-287-2018. Be sure title of the job you are applying for is included. Applications cannot be accepted after the posting closing date.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 13.41% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS) for MSEA, or 18.21% for Confidential employees.

State employees are eligible for anextensive and highly competitive benefits package (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits) , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from theOffice of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) .

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for part-time employment.

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.