Deaf Blind Employment Specialist

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 New England Region.

The DeafBlind Employment Specialist serves the New England Region and may work from a home office located in New Hampshire, Connecticut, or Massachusetts. The primary focus is to provide one-on-one services to consumers to assist with achieving employment outcomes, with a commitment to a fully inclusive, community-based environment. The DeafBlind Employment Specialist also provides training and technical assistance to families and service providers throughout the region.

This position carries out identified and specific targeted activities, as outlined by state DeafBlind Interagency Teams (DBITs), to assist the HKNC Regional Representative and interagency partners with building capacity across New England. The DeafBlind Employment Specialist works in tandem with and reports directly to the HKNC Regional Representative. State and community partners will assist in identifying gaps in services that further delineate job responsibilities.

Salary Range: $55-60k annually. 

 *Location: Must live in one state within the region: New Hampshire, Connecticut, or Massachusetts.  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Perform duties and activities as directed, consistent with HKNC and designated state community rehabilitation provider agreements. Primary one-on-one direct services include vocational rehabilitation activities with an emphasis on employment outcomes, including job readiness training, job development, job placement, and coaching. Secondary services identified in applicable agreements are provided to maximize employment outcomes.
• Provide one-on-one and group-based, employment-focused direct services to consumers throughout the New England Region. Services may be provided face-to-face or virtually, as mutually agreed upon with the consumer, based on the consumer’s communication preference and the training need.
• Work collaboratively with local service providers and community partners to develop teams that execute Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs). Community partners may include Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), community rehabilitation programs (CRPs), schools for the deaf, schools for the blind, centers for independent living (CILs), and other entities.
• 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 determined on a case-by-case basis.
• Assist the HKNC Regional Representative and community partners with identifying service gaps and unmet needs of consumers across the New England Region.
• Assist with outreach opportunities that educate Vocational Rehabilitation personnel about the capabilities of DeafBlind individuals and share information about HKNC programs and services.
• Serve as a liaison and professional trainer between Helen Keller National Center, Vocational Rehabilitation, and home team members to support consumers transitioning to their home communities after completing HKNC on-campus training. Support may include residential and employment domains, supported employment, customized integrated employment, and other areas identified in training goals.
• Provide training and mentoring to community and state employment specialists to expand awareness, knowledge, and advocacy related to work-site accommodations. Work with VR and businesses to create work experience opportunities that may lead to employment.
• Collaborate with consumers and community partners to identify DeafBlind youth and adults for inclusion in the HKNC National Registry.
• Identify professional learning opportunities and assist with initial assessments of training needs across the region. This may include support from IRPD and assistance with coordinating and providing training.
• Work collaboratively with HKNC Vocational Services and the National Employment and Business Relations Specialist to implement best practices within states and across the region, where appropriate.
• Coordinate with State DeafBlind Projects serving transition-age youth, their families, and educational personnel. Link educational teams with VR and other resources, including HKNC and adult services in the community. Attend IEP meetings when necessary.
• Work jointly with the DeafBlind Immersion Experience (DBIE) coordinator on referrals, implementation of follow-up recommendations, and continued training for home team providers.
• Travel to consumer, partner, and training locations throughout the New England Region as needed to fulfill position responsibilities
  Responsible for other duties as may be assigned or requested by his/her immediate supervisor and/or the Director of the Department.

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE 

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

PREFERRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Certification in good standing with emphasis in employment services, including ACRE and/or CESP;
• Familiarity with Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services agencies within the New England Region.
• Fluency in communication methods used by people who are DeafBlind, including American Sign Language (ASL) and sign language in English word order.

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees.  We offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including: 

• 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 

HKS is committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodations to individuals with illness, injury, or disability to complete the essential functions of their job.