Community Accessibility Specialist

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Job Classification Title

Casework Associate II (S)

Position Number

60043239

Grade

NC06

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

DSDHH is hiring! We are seeking a Community Accessibility Specialist to join The Wilmington Regional Center, which serves 12 counties.

 

**A Sign-on bonus of $4000 may be offered to the successful applicant(s) of this posting, contingent on Budget Approval.**

 

Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus: To qualify for the Sign-on Bonus, a newly hired permanent full-time or permanent part-time employee must work 30 to 40 hours per week to be eligible. Those who are eligible and working less than 40 hours a week will receive a prorated rate.

 

An employee is not eligible for a sign-on bonus if:

The employee has held a position in the North Carolina State government, including the judicial system, or the University of North Carolina system, within the last 12 months (the employee shall remain ineligible for 12 months from the separation date).

The employee has previously received a sign-on bonus from any State agency.

DHHS has paid any contract placement or recruitment fees. All Sign-on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire.

 

Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found here: https://oshr.nc.gov/documents/sign-and-retention-bonus-policy-effective-august-15-2023/open

 

The Community Accessibility Specialist is a vital advocate for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind North Carolinians in need of communication access to government agencies, first responders, service providers, businesses, transportation (buses, airport), and public venues. Travel will include coverage of the region’s 12 counties and occasionally outside the region as needed, occasionally involving early mornings, nights and weekends.

 

In this role, the Community Accessibility Specialist will:

Build capacity with agencies, service providers, and businesses to ensure accessible communication for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind individuals across varied settings.

Train, advise, educate, and consult on communication accessibility for people with hearing loss (including combined vision and hearing loss). Topics may include communication modalities, technology, language, cultural norms, accessibility barriers, and practical solutions.

Provide recommendations and resources to improve communication access in community and service environments.

Set up assistive technology at DSDHH events and offer guidance on appropriate technology for consumers and service providers.

Collaborate on events with agencies, organizations, and facilities serving Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind community members.

Set up exhibition booths and demonstrations which include loading and unloading equipment (up to 30 lbs).

Participate in professional networking through meetings, workshops, and conferences.

Create, review, and revise reports, articles, and informational materials.

 

Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Training on communication accessibility topics

Consultation for agencies, service providers, and consumers to strengthen communication accessibility and capacity-building

Public outreach on resources, events, and information related to communication accessibility

Development and implementation of events, programs, and initiatives

Technical assistance with assistive technology and Weather Alert Radio (WAR) equipment

Administrative and documentation tasks

 

Teleworking is based on business needs at the manager's discretion. Ability to travel, work after/before hours and weekends, lift, load, and unload equipment up to 30 pounds required.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $40,000 - $50,000

Classification Salary Range: $35,596 - $62,294

Management Preferred KSAs:

• Skilled in public presentation and problem solving
• Ability to work and collaborate with local and county agencies and service providers in 17 counties to ensure communication access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind consumers
• Experiences with cultural, communication tools and technologies used by Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind
• Basic knowledge of federal and state laws, programs, and services relating to ADA
• Basic computer skills such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel.
• Able to work weekends.
• Able to work before and after hours.
• Ability to load and unload equipment
• Ability to set up exhibit booth and demonstrations
• Ability to lift up to 30 lbs

This position will close at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.

The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing works to ensure that all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or Deaf Blind North Carolinians have the ability to communicate their needs and to receive information easily and effectively in all aspects of their lives, especially their health and well-being. 

Compensation & Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits.  Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).  Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.  In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.  

Visit website for State Benefits

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. 

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. 

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person

Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board, etc.)

indicated below.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in a field relative to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related work experience, preferably with the client population.

OR

Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a related programmatic area providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

LaWanna Baker

Contact:

DHHS Workday Support Form