Iowa Department for the Blind JOB ANNOUNCEMENT Vocational Rehabilitation Teacher Location: Des Moines, Iowa Salary Minimum: $49,691.20 Salary Maximum: $75,691.20 Post Close Date: April 16, 2020 Job Description: This is a courtesy posting for a non-merit position. Please follow instructions in the "To Apply" section for directions on how to apply for this position. The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking energetic and passionate applicants for a teaching position that will promote IDB's mission, vision and values through teaching blindness skills to youth and adults throughout the state. Duties and responsibilities to include the following: Teach blindness skills, including but not limited to braille, cane travel, home and personal management, and access technology, to vocational rehabilitation clients, individually and in groups, including pre-employment transition services for clients and potentially eligible students ages 14-21. Provide regular written reports documenting training, and communicate regularly with vocational rehabilitation counselors regarding client progress and concerns. Evaluate the skill level and training needs of vocational rehabilitation clients and potentially eligible students. Provide reports documenting strengths, weaknesses and training recommendations to clients, counselors and IEP teams as appropriate. Assist in developing and implementing group trainings for vocational rehabilitation clients and potentially eligible students such as youth weekend retreats. Assist in developing assessments and training curricula for use with clients. Assist in developing and provide training to service providers including paraprofessionals, in working with blind persons in a manner that supports skill development and fosters independence. Essential functions of this position: Produce clear written reports on client training sessions Read and write contracted braille Teach clients to utilize the contracted braille code proficiently; including the use of English grammar, spelling and sentence structure. Independently travel (using a long white cane under sleep shades) Teach clients to travel using a long white cane Experience teaching blindness skills preferred. It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment. For further information, contact Helen Stevens, 515-829-7411 or helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us To Apply: Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise. Persons who wish to be considered for this position must submit a resume and letter of application to: Helen Stevens Education and Training Director Iowa Department for the Blind 524 4th Street Des Moines, IA 50309-2364 helen.stevens at blind.state.ia.us Edward C. Bell, Ph.D., CRC, NOMC, Director, Professional Development and Research Institute on Blindness Louisiana Tech University 600 Mayfield Ave / 210 Woodard Hall PO Box 3158 Ruston LA 71272 Office: 318.257.4554 Fax: 318.257.2259 ebell at latech.edu www.pdrib.com ************* "I am somehow less interested in the weight and convolutions of Einstein's brain than in the near certainty that people of equal talent have lived and died in cotton fields and sweatshops." -- Stephen Jay Gould