Rehabilitation of the Blind Specialist
Oklahoma State Government
Rehabilitation of the Blind Specialist
Oklahoma State Government
Purchases state-funded health care; ensures quality
Job Posting Title
Rehabilitation of the Blind SpAgency
805 DEPARTMENT OF REHABILITATION SERVICESSupervisory Organization
Dept Rehabilitation ServicesJob Posting End Date
Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.
Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)
Full/Part-Time
Full timeJob Type
RegularCompensation
Monthly/Annual Salary: Monthly AnnualJob Description
Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities for performing complex professional work which involves working in partnership with individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple secondary disabilities in their homes, communities and work environments, by providing instruction in alternative techniques for independent living and by providing in-depth counseling to consumers and their families in addressing challenges created by their blindness. Assistance is provided to consumers in obtaining information needed to make informed choices, which provides access to services that increase opportunities to live independently, increasing opportunities for employment. Assigned responsibilities include a comprehensive assessment of the consumers’ current level of independence in daily living, communication, orientation and mobility (ability to travel safely in their environment), and job readiness skills, and developing a comprehensive rehabilitation/independent living plan.
Provides counseling and individualized instruction to persons who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple secondary disabilities and their families to facilitate solutions to the problems created by blindness through reinforcing the client’s strengths and minimizing weaknesses to develop necessary self confidence.
Interprets and analyzes consumers physical or mental condition, social and economic situation, attitudes and aptitudes, job readiness, educational background, and personality traits to determine the extent of disability and potential for independent living and employment.
Consults with physicians and other medical and rehabilitation personnel to obtain information to aid in the determination of eligibility for rehabilitation services.
Develops an individualized rehabilitation/independent living plan with consumer; plans, arranges, and provides specialized services; authorizes and monitors the expenditures of funds.
Provides individual instruction to persons who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple disabilities in developing orientation and mobility skills within different environments.
Provides instruction in orientation self protection techniques and management of dangerous situations; in long cane skills, in sighted guide techniques; sun wear and low vision aids; and mobility devices; in the use and access to public transportation systems; routes to schools, universities, or new job sites; prepares individuals to attend dog guide school and provides follow-up.
Educates and trains civic groups, rehabilitation professionals and other outside entities on the needs of the blind or visually impaired; develops community resources.
Consults with other consumers, interdisciplinary team members, and rehabilitation professionals for the purpose of developing a collaborative rehabilitation plan.
Conducts assessments and determines eligibility for services; documents consumers’ progress in achieving planned objectives; manages a caseload and maintains records in accordance with agency standards.
Provides instruction in specialized techniques of communication, (such as Braille reading and writing, script writing, accessing information through electronic devices, and the use of low vision aids), personal management (including medical management, personal grooming, time keeping, and money management), home management (housekeeping, home safety, home care, and home mechanics), activities of daily living (food preparation, labeling, personal organization, safety precautions, sighted guide, and locating dropped objects), and leisure time activities (crafts and hobbies, game modification, and leisure and sports activities).
Level I - This is the basic level where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing entry-level work, in a training status, under direct supervision. Direct supervision includes, but is not limited to, supervisor’s signature authority on approval on eligibility decisions, individual plans (IPE/IRP) and amendments, authorizations for services, evaluations and case closure. In this role employees will be responsible for maintaining a caseload and providing services, instruction and counseling in such areas as Braille reading and writing at the level of Grade One, daily living skills, orientation and mobility skills, or independent living skills to persons who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple secondary disabilities.
Level II - This is the career level where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing professional duties with a moderate level of supervision which includes, but is not limited to, oversight, guidance, mentoring, and signature authority for case closure. Specialists at this level may have signature authority for eligibility decisions, development and amendments of plans, written evaluation reports and authorization for services. This level provides services to include counseling and instruction in such areas as Braille reading and writing at the level of Grade Two, daily living skills, orientation and mobility skills or independent living skills to individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple secondary disabilities. Instruct individuals in dog guide techniques and procedures.
Level III - This is the expert level of this job family where employees will act as a subject matter resource person providing guidance and assistance to lower level specialists in providing rehabilitation services and assistance to blind or severely visually impaired clients. May provide community based training.
Level IV - This is the leadership level of this job family where employees carry a full caseload and act as a team leader. Employees at this level will function independently and assign work and supervise lower level rehabilitation of the blind professionals and/or rehabilitation technicians and/or develop new initiatives and serve as a special project manager. Employees at this level will assign work and review completed work projects, provide in-service training to lower level Rehabilitation specialists and supervise interns and Rehabilitation Technician staff. May provide community based training.
Level I - Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Bachelor’s degree in orientation and mobility, rehabilitation teaching or a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience in a disability related field.
All applicants must have proficiency in Uncontracted Unified English Braille as demonstrated by the successful completion of a competency test administered by the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Level II -Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Bachelor’s degree in orientation and mobility, rehabilitation teaching plus two years of experience in rehabilitation teaching or orientation and mobility; or a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience in a disability related field plus two years of experience in rehabilitation teaching or orientation and mobility.
All applicants at this level must be eligible to sit for certification for either the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) or Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate (NOMC). All applicants must have proficiency in Contracted Unified English Braille as demonstrated by the successful completion of a competency test administered by the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Level III -Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in either Rehabilitation of the Blind, Visual/Vision services or Orientation and Mobility and three years of experience in rehabilitation teaching or orientation and mobility.
All applicants at this level must be certified in either the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) or Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate, (NOMC). All applicants must have proficiency in Contracted Unified English Braille as demonstrated by the successful completion of a competency test administered by the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Level IV - Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in either Rehabilitation of the Blind, Visual/Vision services or Orientation and Mobility and four years of experience in rehabilitation teaching or orientation and mobility.
All applicants at this level must be certified in either the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) or Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate, (NOMC). All applicants must have proficiency in Contracted Unified English Braille as demonstrated by the successful completion of a competency test administered by the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Level I -Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of modern educational practices and principles as applied to teaching Uncontracted Unified English Braille, communications, personal management, home management, adapted activities of daily living and leisure time activities, and indoor and outdoor orientation and mobility; of methods of evaluating, diagnosing, and classifying learning abilities; and of the principles of guidance, counseling, and psychology of the severely visually impaired or blind; of modern educational practices and teaching principles of orientation and mobility, including lesson planning and chaining; and of the methods of assessing orientation skills, diagnosing learning styles and utilization of dog guide techniques.
Ability is required to plan a program of instruction and motivation of consumers to obtain the skills and information needed to reach their individualized goals; to provide counseling; to evaluate and analyze data and situations accurately; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers and family; to adapt training methods and tools to address individual consumer’s independent living and orientation and mobility needs, including the application of various methods to accommodate developmentally disabled, juvenile, and older learners; and to participate and assist in support group activities.
Level II -Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of modern educational practices and principles as applied to teaching Uncontracted Unified English Braille, communications, personal management, home management, adapted activities of daily living and leisure time activities, and indoor and outdoor orientation and mobility; of methods of evaluating, diagnosing, and classifying learning abilities; and of the principles of guidance, counseling, and psychology of the severely visually impaired or blind; of modern educational practices and teaching principles of orientation and mobility, including lesson planning and chaining; of the methods of assessing orientation skills, diagnosing learning styles and utilization of dog guide techniques; and of practical and theoretical work with dog guides and the ability to perform a full range of services.
Ability is required to plan a program of instruction and motivation of consumers to obtain the skills and information needed to reach their individualized goals; to provide counseling; to evaluate and analyze data and situations accurately; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers and family; to adapt training methods and tools to address individual consumer’s independent living and orientation and mobility needs, including the application of various methods to accommodate developmentally disabled, juvenile, and older learners; to participate and assist in support group activities; to provide counseling and instruction independently; to teach Contracted Unified English Braille reading and writing ; to independently develop and conduct in-service training support groups, and confident living programs; and to work with graduates of dog guide schools.
Level III -Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of modern educational practices and principles as applied to teaching Uncontracted Unified English Braille, communications, personal management, home management, adapted activities of daily living and leisure time activities, and indoor and outdoor orientation and mobility; of methods of evaluating, diagnosing, and classifying learning abilities; and of the principles of guidance, counseling, and psychology of the severely visually impaired or blind; of modern educational practices and teaching principles of orientation and mobility, including lesson planning and chaining; of the methods of assessing orientation skills, diagnosing learning styles and utilization of dog guide techniques; and of practical and theoretical work with dog guides and the ability to perform a full range of services.
Ability is required to plan a program of instruction and motivation of consumers to obtain the skills and information needed to reach their individualized goals; to provide counseling; to evaluate and analyze data and situations accurately; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers and family; to adapt training methods and tools to address individual consumer’s independent living and orientation and mobility needs, including the application of various methods to accommodate developmentally disabled, juvenile, and older learners; to participate and assist in support group activities; to provide counseling and instruction independently; to teach Contracted Unified English Braille reading and writing ; to independently develop and conduct in-service training support groups, and confident living programs; to work with graduates of dog guide schools; and to provide guidance and assistance to others by mentoring and preparing, and assigning and reviewing activities of interns.
Level IV - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of modern educational practices and principles as applied to teaching Uncontracted Unified English Braille, communications, personal management, home management, adapted activities of daily living and leisure time activities, and indoor and outdoor orientation and mobility; of methods of evaluating, diagnosing, and classifying learning abilities; and of the principles of guidance, counseling, and psychology of the severely visually impaired or blind; of modern educational practices and teaching principles of orientation and mobility, including lesson planning and chaining; of the methods of assessing orientation skills, diagnosing learning styles and utilization of dog guide techniques; of practical and theoretical work with dog guides and the ability to perform a full range of services; and of principles and practices of effective supervision.
Ability is required to plan a program of instruction and motivation of consumers to obtain the skills and information needed to reach their individualized goals; to provide counseling; to evaluate and analyze data and situations accurately; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers and family; to adapt training methods and tools to address individual consumer’s independent living and orientation and mobility needs, including the application of various methods to accommodate developmentally disabled, juvenile, and older learners; to participate and assist in support group activities; to provide counseling and instruction independently; to teach Contracted Unified English Braille reading and writing ; to independently develop and conduct in-service training support groups, and confident living programs; to work with graduates of dog guide schools; to provide guidance and assistance to others by mentoring and preparing, and assigning and reviewing activities of interns; and to provide training and guidance to others.
Certification by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate (NOMC), or the National Certification in Literary Braille or Unified English Braille (NCLB or NCUEB) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board, or have two additional years of experience in a closely related field teaching blindness skills.
Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position.
The Department of Rehabilitation Services has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8.
Position may be filled at Level I, II, III, or IV.
Position is located in the Division of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Weatherford (SBVI69).
*This position is a Rehab Teacher for the blind and visually impaired*
Essential Functions:This position is a Rehab Teacher for the blind and visually impaired and is located at the SBVI69 – Weatherford, OK, field office. is responsible for providing counseling and individualized instruction to Oklahomans who are blind or visually impaired from Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woods, Alfalfa, Major, Woodward, Ellis, Dewey, Roger Mills, Custer, Beckham, and Washita Counties in facilitating solutions to the challenges of being able to live independently in the everyday environment and in dealing with problems created by their blindness, promoting confidence and self-esteem of the individual customer. A key duty will be raising the awareness of the clients to the opportunities and options which mastery of alternative blindness skills such as Braille, assistive technology, home management skills, etc. The Rehabilitation Teacher is required to be able to read, write and teach Braille I, utilizing a slate and stylus, as well as braille writers. The Rehabilitation Teacher must be proficient in the use of and instruction of basic technology to include iOS operations for iPhone, iPad, iPod and android phones and apps, and also basic computer skills and keyboarding. The Rehabilitation Teacher provides assessments and instruction to blind and visually impaired consumers pertinent to their functional abilities as they relate to home, work, school and social activities. The person in this position will also consult with other rehabilitation professionals through the vocational rehabilitation process to ensure high quality career and independent living outcomes for their customers. The person in this position must have a good working knowledge of specialized residential training centers in order to provide accurate information so their customers are able to make informed choices and decisions.
Applicant must be willing to perform all job-related travel.
Trial period (if applicable) is required.
Background Check: The Department of Rehabilitation Services will conduct a criminal background check on new hires as part of an offer of employment that is made contingent upon a successful criminal background check.
*Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future without employer sponsorship.
Preferred Qualifications: Prefer applicants currently holding a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) or Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC), or the National Certification in Literary Braille or Unified English Braille (NCLB or NCUEB) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board.
Application must include transcript which shows degree(s) awarded and copy of current Vision Rehabilitation Therapist or Orientation and Mobility Specialist through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate (NOMC), or the National Certification in Literary Braille or Unified English Braille (NCLB or NCUEB) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board or documentation showing proof of eligibility to sit for such certifications.
Benefit Highlights: The Department of Rehabilitation Services provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our employees and their dependents.
Benefits Include:
Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
A wide choice of health insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care
Employee assistance programs and health and fitness programs
11 paid holidays
15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave for the first year
Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match
Longevity Bonus for years of service
5% additional pay for the possession of an appropriate professional certification or licensure
Training opportunities to help meet CEU requirements
Method of Application: Applicants without previous state service, with previous state service but not currently employed by a state agency must apply though the Workday on-line External Listings applicant system (State of Oklahoma Careers (myworkdayjobs.com)).
Current State of Oklahoma employees must apply through the Workday on-line Internal Listings applicant system (Find Jobs - Internal State of Oklahoma - Workday (myworkday.com))
For questions regarding specific duties or details of this job, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].
Equal Opportunity Employment
The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.
Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.
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Purchases state-funded health care; ensures quality
The Oklahoma Health Care Authority manages the costs of state-purchased health care in Oklahoma, using state and federal funds to procure services for eligible residents. It distributes funds to purchase care, monitors costs, enforces quality standards, and builds partnerships to improve access and outcomes. It differs from private payers by being a government agency that coordinates public funding and policy for vulnerable populations, focusing on cost containment and public accountability. Its goal is to provide accessible, high-quality, publicly funded health care for Oklahoma residents in a fiscally responsible way while continually improving purchasing strategies and partnerships.
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