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Education and Training Division
Location: Des Moines, IA
Salary Minimum: $55,307.20
Salary Maximum: $85,758.40
Job Type: Full-time
Agency: 131 Iowa Department for the Blind
Job Number: 22-00717
Post Close Date: October 4, 2021
Pointe of Contact: Helen Stevens
To Apply: For consideration please submit your resume, and cover letter 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
Job Description:
This is a courtesy posting for a non-merit position. Please follow instructions in the “To Apply” section for directions on how to apply for this position.
The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking applicants for a position that will promote IDB’s mission, vision and values through providing access technology services to vocational rehabilitation clients across Iowa. Strong candidates will be adept problem-solvers who can explore to learn new technology, troubleshoot to locate and solve problems, and communicate with clients and employers about challenges and potential solutions. IDB is willing to provide training in the required blindness skill areas and blindness specific technology if needed.
Duties and responsibilities to include the following:
- Complete worksite assessments and provide workplace support to clients, including transition-age youth during work-based learning experiences, to support the clients in successful employment.
- Assist employers in determining the accessibility of their technology systems for blind employees.
- Gather data about a work site and the technology that will be used on the job, and determine what is needed to integrate non visual access technology with technologies used at the work site.
- Research possible solutions to problems involved with integrating non visual access technology into the work site.
- Test and implement scripts to improve the use of screen access technology with programs used.
- Install, test, and configure hardware and software to facilitate operation with speech, refreshable braille, and/or screen enlargement systems.
- Provide on-site training and remote assistance to employers and clients regarding non visual access technology used at the work site.
- Troubleshoot technical problems involving the integration of nonvisual access technology with other programs, determine what configuration changes, repairs, and/or upgrades may be necessary, and facilitate efforts to implement needed hardware/software acquisitions or configuration changes.
- Produce written reports and case notes to document the work performed.
- Obtain and review quotes for the purchase of client and loaner technology.
- Set up new hardware and software including computers with screen access software, braille displays, and CCTVs to make them ready for client use.
- Install updates and troubleshoot issues as they arise. Work with manufacturers as needed to troubleshoot more complex problems and arrange for the repair of devices.
- Design, validate, and implement skills assessments and training curricula to determine a client's ability to use technology and teach all necessary technology skills.
- Develop and/or modify technology skills assessments to ensure the most accurate results. Based on these assessments, produce written and verbal reports concerning a client's ability to use technology (with or without non visual access software/hardware), the client's need for specialized training, and the configuration of any equipment that the client might require.
- Develop, maintain and evaluate curricula for effectively teaching nonvisual technology skills using the structured discovery methodology.
- Travel statewide to provide individualized and group training to Vocational Rehabilitation clients, including transition-age youth, in the use of nonvisual access and mainstream technologies.
- Monitor client progress during such training, produce written reports and case notes for client files, and provide prompt notification to counselors and/or rehabilitation teachers concerning client progress and impediments to client success.
- Collaborate with Individualized Education Program teams across the state to provide appropriate Pre-Employment Transition Services to high school students.
- Assess the skill level of the students and assist in developing training plans to help students meet their immediate and long-term goals.
- Recommend and assist with the provision of accommodations as appropriate. Arrange for the loan of technology to students and provide training as needed.
- Serve as a resource to parents, teachers and paraprofessionals as requested. Create cheat sheets and other resources for use by parents and educators to support students' technology usage.
- Provide presentations to students, parents and educators as directed.
Essential functions of this position:
- Communicate effectively in person, on the phone, and in writing with clients, counselors, and the public.
- Write clear and thorough reports on training provided or technology evaluated for employers, counselors, educators and other professionals.
- Communicate technical information in a manner understandable to nontechnical individuals.
- Travel regularly to clients’ worksites, schools and homes.
- Utilize and teach others to use technology including smartphones, tablets and computers nonvisually without the need for any visual information.
- Research and teach oneself to use new and updated technology; locating training resources as appropriate.
- Read and write contracted braille accurately in order to provide training on the use of braille notetakers, braille displays and other braille-related technology.
- Evaluate strengths and weaknesses of non-visual access technologies-including screen access software, screen enlargement technology, refreshable braille displays, braille embossers, tablets, smart phones, and video magnifiers-and make sound recommendations about which technologies should be used for specific situations and under what circumstances.
- Teach individuals and/or groups how to use specific technologies, and vary the teaching method depending on the learning style that works best for each student.
- Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical problems with the use of all available resources as appropriate.
It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment.
Minimum Qualification Requirements
Graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in civil, industrial, mechanical, architectural, electrical or rehabilitation engineering and experience equal to one year of full-time work in the design, development and fabrication of mechanical or electrical components or assemblies for products such as industrial equipment, machinery, power equipment, service systems, machine tools and measuring instruments;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of professional work experience as indicated above for one year (thirty semester or equivalent hours) of the required education to a maximum of four years.
For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader).
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