What are the responsibilities and job description for the Pre-Employment Transition Services Specialist (Program Specialist 3) position at State of Washington Dept. of Services for the...?
Description
**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 Aggie Swanson at (360) 407-7934 or email jobs@des.wa.gov.
Note: Standard business hours are Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 5:00 PM, and may occasionally require flexibility to meet the agency's needs. Evening and weekend work may be occasionally necessary, with the option to take time off during the pay period. During peak season (typically June through August), frequent overnight travel is required to support the Pre-ETS workshops.
Who We Are:
The goal of the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) is to assist in the stable employment and increased independence of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision customers. DSB provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages who have a visual disability to pursue employment, education, and independent living. Our mission is “Working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces."
About the Opportunity:
As a Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Specialist with DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program, you'll play a key role in supporting Blind, Deaf Blind, and Low Vision students, ages 14-21, on their path to meaningful employment. Working within a multi-disciplinary team, you'll utilize exceptional communication and case management skills to address the specialized rehabilitation needs of these individuals. Your responsibilities will include coordinating and delivering comprehensive career exploration services, facilitating workshops on job readiness and workplace skills, and providing essential post-secondary academic preparation counseling. You will work closely with families, educational institutions, and vocational partners to expand work experience opportunities for youth in Southwest Washington. Additionally, you'll assess the unique needs of each student and develop tailored services to ensure their success. As a regional resource, you will also provide technical assistance and consultation to program participants, staff, and partners, contributing to the employment success of Blind, Deaf Blind, and Low Vision individuals in our community.
Duties
Some of What You’ll Enjoy Doing Includes:
- Communicating Agency’s scope, mission, Pre-Employment Transition Services, VR process, and guidelines under the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) to participants and families
- Recommending Pre-Employment Transition services and processing student referrals and applications in collaboration with VR team and the agency intake team
- Coordinating progressive case services for students with disabilities for Pre-ETS participation
- Maintaining regular contact with students and families on a combined case load bi-monthly, fostering ongoing partnership throughout the transition from Pre-ETS to employment
- Initiating authorizations and payments in accordance to agency policies and within required timeframes
- Documenting Pre-ETS participation, contracts, and reports in the electronic case management system within five days of program completion
- Providing guidance on workplace readiness and soft skill development for students
- Developing post-secondary exploration opportunities for students locally and statewide
- Conducting job exploration activities for students individually or in groups
- Creating Pre-ETS training curriculum if not outsourced
- Recommending progressive Pre-ETS to support students in achieving employment goals
- Conducting extensive community outreach to students and families statewide to enhance Pre-ETS services for Blind, Deafblind, and Low-Vision youth
- Coordinating with school districts within the assigned territory to facilitate access to Pre-ETS services and attending school Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings to support students transition to the workforce
- Developing external resources and contractors for Pre-ETS workshops, consulting with families and students on rights and education roles, collaborating with blind consumer groups, providing information and referrals, and offering counseling and guidance throughout the rehabilitation process
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Education, Business, or a related field; AND
- Two (2) years of experience with planning, coordinating, and consulting on youth transition programs, in collaboration with schools, community-based organizations, and employers
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment:
- CPR/First Aid certification is required and must be maintained, or a commitment to acquire the certification within the first 90 days
- A valid food handler’s card is required and must be kept current, or a commitment to acquire the certification within the first 90 days
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience consulting youth and families regarding transition services and vocational rehabilitation programs
- Demonstrated knowledge of effective delivery of pre-employment transition services
- Experience consulting on Individual Education Plans, 504 Plans
- Experience managing vocational rehabilitation and transition services for students with disabilities
- Experience with employer recruitment for student-based work-based learning experiences
- Experience working with Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision individuals
- Experience managing community and business expectations related to vocational training strategies for students with disabilities
- Ability to collaborate with school staff, Paraeducators, Teachers of the Visually Impaired (TVI), Orientation & Mobility Instructors (O&M) and other staff in Special Education or included in the rehabilitative process
Supplemental Information
How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.
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 interest, 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)
Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify the information provided. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for details, or your application may be disqualified.
Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Services for the Blind, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. 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.
Union Inclusion:
This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
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.
