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 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. State and community partners in the states the DeafBlind Employment Specialist work with will assist in identification of gaps in services in these states that will further delineate job responsibilities.

Salary Range: $55-58k annually. 

 *Location: Must live in the state of TN.

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

• Perform duties and activities as directed, consistent with the HKNC and the designated state’s community rehabilitation provider agreement. Primary services provided in one-on-one direct services include the areas of vocational rehabilitation, with an emphasis on employment outcomes including job readiness training, job development, job placement and coaching. Secondary services, identified in the agreement, are provided to positively maximize the employment outcome.
• Provide one-on-one and group-based employment-focused, direct services to consumers in the designated state. Service is provided in a format, such as face-to-face or virtual training, that is mutually agreed upon with the consumer based on their communication preference that is appropriate for the particular area of training;
• Work collaboratively with local service providers and local community partners to develop a team to execute Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE). Community Partners may include Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), community rehabilitation programs (CRPs), schools for the deaf and 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 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 and share HKNC programs and services.
• Be the liaison and professional trainer to work with the Helen Keller National Center and Vocational Rehabilitation, and home team members to support a consumer transitioning back to the consumer’s home community after completion of HKNC on campus training (includes residential and employment domains). In addition to, but not be limited to, supported employment, customized integrated employment and other areas requested by training goals for successful outcomes.
• Assist with providing training and mentor to the community and state employment specialists to expand awareness, knowledge, and advocacy efforts about work-site related accommodations; work with VR and businesses to create work experience opportunities, leading to employment.
• 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. This may include support from IRPD, assisting with coordination and provision of training.
• Assist with working collaboratively with HKNC Vocational Services and National Employment and Business Relations Specialist to implement best practices in the state/or region, where appropriate;
• Assist with coordinating with the State DeafBlind Project working with transition age youth, their families, and educational personnel, linking educational team with VR and other resources including HKNC and adult services in the community. Attend IEP meetings, if necessary.
• 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;

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 the designated state’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Blind Services Agencies;
• Fluency in communication methods used by people who are DeafBlind, (including, but not limited to): 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.