Rehabilitation of the Blind Specialist

*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.

Education and Experience Requirements: 

Level I - 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 - 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 - 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 - 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.

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 HR@okdrs.gov.

                                               An Equal Opportunity Employer