Iowa Department for the Blind
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Summer Youth Counselor
POSTING DATE: April 2, 2018
Closing Date: April 16, 2018
LOCATION: Des Moines, Iowa
PART TIME/FULL TIME STATUS: up to 4 Temporary/Full-Time Positions
SALARY: $16.20/hr. Expected total salary to be approximately $7,500.
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.
Examples of duties:
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: May 29 ? August 16, 2018. Summer youth counselors will work approximately forty hours per week, with the potential for some 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
High school diploma or equivalent
TO APPLY:
Note: This is a courtesy posting for a non merit position.
Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services ? Human Resources Enterprise. Applications to DAS-HRE only, will not be considered.
Interested applicants must send a cover letter and resume to:
Helen Stevens
Education and Training Director
Iowa Department for the Blind
524 Fourth Street
Des Moines, IA 50309
helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us