Hello NOMC's, I have recently accepted a position as the Youth Services Program Manager for the state of Washington, so my position as training center manager has become open here in Seattle. We need a good, progressive, motivated person to take over this position. Please reach out to me if you have specific questions or would like to learn more about the job. The job posting is below, or can be found at the following link: State of Washington Job Opportunities | Work that Matters (governmentjobs.com) https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3143171/orientation-a... Application review will begin the week of July 19, 2021. The Hiring Manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time. It will be in your best interest to apply as soon as possible. Who we are: The goal of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) https://dsb.wa.gov/ is to assist in the stable employment and increased independence of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision participants, many of whom have other disabilities in addition to visual impairment. DSB provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who are blind or visually impaired, pursue employment, education, and independent living. What you will be doing: You will be responsible for managing the programs and all participant activity performed by the agency in the Orientation and Training Center (OTC) for residential and commuting students, located in the Seattle area. This position is responsible a multi-disciplinary team of 7 staff; an annual budget of over $1 million. The OTC annually provides assessment, adjustment to blindness, self-advocacy and adaptive skills of living and vocational training services to 60-100 Washington State residents who are blind, low vision or deaf blind in order to fulfill the agency mission of "Inclusion, Independence, and Economic Vitality for individuals with visual disabilities. Duties *Some of what you'll enjoy doing in your job:* *As leadership for the Orientation and Training Center (OTC):* - Manage, grow, and streamline residential program services to promote highest quality adaptive skills training and adjustment to blindness activities which provide agency participants a strong foundation for their job-readiness and vocational goals - Educate and incorporate the agency cultural values within teams - Emphasize and encourage vocational context for all multidisciplinary team staff roles - Establish, review, and revise agency and program procedure - Work to ensure staff continuously review and refine understanding of the subtle contexts of working in field of rehabilitation services for people with disabilities - Fill all staff vacancies in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement, state HR requirements, needs of agency and local team, and agency values for diversity/disability representation among the workforce - Communicate staff performance expectations and conduct performance reviews and evaluations - Resolve and mediate conflict situations *Align agency activities with mission, values and regulations:* - Act within agency mission and values in all interactions - Educate and incorporate the agency cultural values and blindness expertise - Ensure that training program supports needs of adult learners with range of disabilities - Emphasize and encourage vocational context for all multidisciplinary team staff roles *Recruit, recommend for hire, and develop staff:* - Fill all vacancies - Communicate performance expectations and conduct performance reviews and evaluations - Develop clear and feasible performance expectations through PDF and PDP process by providing clear, valid, and data-driven performance measurements and feedback to staff - Develop staff into promotional opportunities and increased skill sets where feasible - Manage change process for teams (communicate, and implement change, addressing staff needs within change process) - Utilize data management reports to monitor and support staff work - Identify performance gaps, and collaborate/communicate with staff to develop a plan to bridge gaps and assess progress and best fit for position - Evaluate and monitor participant service delivery processes by conducting and analyzing case record reviews regularly to assure best practices are utilized, and federal and state regulations are followed - Give individualized recognition and appreciation for exceptional and/or consistently high quality work performance *Manage, grow and streamline program/service provision:* - Provide supports for student scheduling. comprehensive trainings and career experience for approximately 60-100 students annually (residential, commuter, virtual) - Identify and address residential facility needs - Analyze data and reorganize work to manage agency resources - Consider workflow and training student population trends, geography and distance from Center; coordinate available staff in team makeup and organization of work - Analyze spending trends and outcomes to assist teams in best stewardship of state resources - Develop and implement internal outreach strategies within teams to increase student capacity and target awareness in underserved communities - Maintain accurate data for program evaluation and reporting - Assess the effectiveness of the program through on-going surveys and other methods and modify the program as appropriate *Strategic planning and program implementation:* - Implement, track, and revise agency's strategic initiatives ongoing among staff - Utilization of data management reports to understand historical performance trends and identify anomalies and/or changes - Establish and/or revise agency and program policy and procedure - Initiate, manage and guide agency program improvement projects - Communicate agency performance and outcomes with teams, and strategize with teams for continuous performance improvements - Identify resource needs and strategize means for resolving needs - Solicit and integrate participant feedback into improvement processes - Develop systems to promote strong case documentation among staff - Initiate, manage and guide agency program and process improvement projects - Develop systems for internal controls for program processes, to review and analyze data that processes are followed and results are as expected *Documentation and Communications* - Communicate program updates within the teams, and communicate staff needs to management group - Communicate program successes and story of OTC - Document staff performance issues - Maintain supervisory case documentation *Act as mediator for resolution of staff-to-staff or client-to-staff disputes* - Work to resolve all issues at lowest level - Use collaboration and mediation techniques for win-win resolution where possible *Project & Contract Management* - As manager of OTC budget, manage contracts and procurement *Continuous Learning and Skills Refreshment* - Identify new resources and tools that may assist clients in their DSB process - Keep current with trends, events, and laws that affect the VR programs *Develop Agency Resources* - Identify & secure new or alternate resources for customers & services Qualifications *REQUIRED:* Bachelor's Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling, Public or Business Administration, Adult Education, or related field AND Two (2) years of supervisory experience AND Expert knowledge of current adaptive skills of blindness rehabilitation teaching practices *OR* Six (6) years of experience in public administration and/or developing and managing adult educational training programs AND Expert knowledge of current adaptive skills of blindness rehabilitation teaching practices AND Two (2) years of supervisory experience *OR* Any combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years AND Expert knowledge of current adaptive skills of blindness rehabilitation teaching practices AND Two (2) years of supervisory experience **Special Requirement:* - Must pass Criminal Justice Records Check *PREFERRED* - Masters Degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Rehabilitation Teaching, Public or Business Administration, Adult Education, or related field - Understanding of the culture and expectations of the blind community - Work experience with a range of people with disabilities - Experience in: - Job readiness/vocational training - Adaptive skills and technologies of blindness and low vision - Work within a public Vocational Rehabilitation program - English as a Second Language (ESL) training - Managing distance learning programs - Curriculum development and course scheduling Supplemental Information Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position: - A *letter of interes*t, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting; - A *current resume*, detailing experience, and education; and - A current list of at least *three (3) professional references* with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview) Background Check Notice: Prior to your new appointment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. Opportunity for All: The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws. You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization. Contact Information: Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or email jobs at des.wa.gov. -- *Deja M. Powell, MA, NOMC* Wa. Dept. of Services for the Blind OTC, DIrector Phone: 801.891.3430 Twitter: @slateandstylish Instagram: @SlateandStylishDeja *"Anyone who ever gave you confidence, you owe them a lot." -Breakfast at Tiffany's*