Job Posting - Summer Youth Counselor

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Iowa Department for the Blind logo

Summer Youth Counselor

Education and Training Division
Location: Des Moines, Iowa
PART TIME/FULL TIME STATUS: up to 12 Temporary Full-Time Positions
SALARY: $16.36/hr. Expected total salary to be approximately $7,500
Post Close Date: January 7, 2019

Job Description:

Temporary Summer Youth Counselors will support the mission, vision and values of the Iowa Department for the Blind. Counselors will mentor youth ages 14-21 during IDB’s two month residential summer program. Roles will be assigned based on staff skills and interests, but will include assisting to teach alternative techniques of blindness through classes such as braille, cane travel, assistive technology, home and personal management and woodshop, or teaching alternative techniques of blindness through assisting students in their apartments and during evening and weekend activities.

Duties and responsibilities to include the following:

  • Support student learning through braille, technology, home management, shop and cane travel instruction.
  • Reinforce blindness skills learned in Orientation Center classes through assisting students with daily living tasks, meal planning and preparation, laundry, homework, and cleaning and organizing apartments.
  • Assist students in participating in activities in the community such as eating at restaurants, shopping, bowling and rock climbing. Reinforce proper cane technique and other nonvisual skills during these activities.
  • Serve as a role model to students in the use of nonvisual techniques and problem-solving skills.
  • Ensure safety of students by monitoring student behavior and the student living areas.
  • Communicate with other summer program staff regarding student needs and progress. Document student progress including written student reports at the end of the summer.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Essential functions of this position:

  • Demonstrate and promote a positive philosophy of blindness
  • Monitor student behavior and living areas
  • Communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in the English language.
  • Demonstrate proper use of the long White cane
  • Read and write braille
  • Actively participate in all summer program activities

Work Schedule:

  • April 5-7 2019, staff training weekend
  • May 28 – August 15, 2019, primary time of employment
  • Summer youth counselors will work approximately forty hours per week, with the potential for overtime. Schedules will vary based on assigned duties.
  • It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment.

For further information, contact Helen Stevens, 515-829-7411 or helen.stevens@blind.state.ia.us

To Apply: 
Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources Enterprise. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to:

Helen Stevens
Education and Training Director
Iowa Department for the Blind
524 4th Street
Des Moines, IA 50309-2364
helen.stevens@blind.state.ia.us

 

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