NEBRASKA COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND & VISUALLY IMPAIRED TRAINING CENTER COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTOR Closing date and time: September 11,2015 at 11:59 p.m. C.S.T. Starting pay: $ 18.76/HR. DESCRIPTION: Under general supervision, provides adjustment counseling and teaching of non-visual techniques for clients who are experiencing personal and social problems which are associated with the on-set of blindness. Tasks performed vary greatly and are based on the needs of the individual, client, families or guardians or consulting agency. Hours:8-5,Monday-Friday. Job location is 4600 Valley Road, Lincoln, Nebraska EXAMPLES OF WORK: Evaluates the present level of skill possessed by clients to identify attainable goals and areas of needed improvement to adjust to blindness. Educates clients and the public in understanding the various implications of blindness and how this relates to current attitudes toward blindness. Prepares and implements instructional programs for clients to address the necessary skills to deal effectively with blindness such as computer use (email, internet, screen readers or low vision applications), cooking and other homemaking skills, Braille and cane travel. Prepares periodic reports to evaluate the clients' progress toward successful rehabilitation and to monitor the overall effectiveness of programs provided. Assists in the training of new staff members in the different philosophies of working with the blind, the implications of being blind and teaching daily living skills to the blind. At times, serves as a team leader for a working group of Orientation Counselors. Refers clients to additional opportunities provided by the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired and other social service agencies. QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS: REQUIREMENTS: Bachelors degree in a behavioral science, social science, counseling, education or related field and three years experience. Experience providing counseling and/or instruction to clients with a visual impairment or other disability may be substituted for a Bachelors degree on a year-for-year basis OR Masters degree in any of the above mentioned fields or related area and one year experience. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of: teaching and instructing individuals; leadership techniques; blindness philosophies; various educational modalities as they pertain to the rehabilitation of blind individuals (i.e. Braille, cane travel, computer use, email, internet, screen readers or low vision applications, etc.); understanding of problems arising from blindness; counseling techniques used in the rehabilitation of the blind. Skill in: evaluating each client's needs and the subsequent preparation and implementation of instructional programs to answer these needs. Ability to: lead and mentor others in the completion of work; organize and coordinate various ongoing instructional programs; apply specific counseling techniques according to the situation; effectively evaluate the results of instructional programs and revise such programs as warranted; establish a strong working rapport with clients, general public and other service agencies. THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK