Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community.

Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations. We currently have an exciting full time career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as a Employment Training Specialist. Responsible for training individuals who are Deaf Blind to develop skills and resources in order to gain employment that is commensurate with their aspirations and abilities. Analyze skills needed to complete job responsibilities and support students in achieving competency

Shift Available:

Monday-Friday 8:00am-3:45pm

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Assess, through dialogue with student and team the students’ training priorities:

• Actively collaborate with team (including student) to design transdisciplinary training activities, implement individualized program and evaluate progress through debriefing and further dialogue to identify further learning opportunities

• Communicate the student’s training priorities/short and long term goals to all team members.

• Ensures the student’s involvement in decision making process with team throughout evaluation and training.

• Schedule community situational assessments that are relevant to the student’s vocational choice during evaluation. Assess the skills as outlined in a job description or from O*Net, a comprehensive database that identifies and describes work content, worker skills and training requirements for jobs. Complete a minimum of three to four situational assessments during the evaluation. Train students to develop career goals and plan job development activities.

• Schedule informational interviews. Assist student with developing pertinent questions. Accompany student to interview. Encourage student to advocate for a work experience if it is felt it would be beneficial and a good match.

• Co-Facilitate work solutions. Teach job readiness skills in a group model. Skill training to include: ability to produce well written applications, a resume, communication with co-workers and supervisors, complete mock interviews, understand information on company benefits, social security program and the five titles of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Develop resources for work experience opportunities. (job development). Must network with outside resources (ongoing) Cold calls – for job development in student’s home community.

• Make job modifications when necessary to allow deaf-blind students to perform the job successfully. Maintain quality control of student’s work. Conduct environmental assessments at work experiences (determine if accommodations are necessary)

• Present and train at HKNC and or/or interagency seminars. Provide training to new professionals entering he field which includes going to community work sites to provide a functional training experience for participants.

• Maintain contact with students’ transition team to report progress and plans for job development in home community.

• Monitor students as the begin to take Able Ride. Follow up calls to Able Ride will occur to check the student’s reservation and to problem solve other situations that can occur such as a bus that did not arrive as scheduled or to correct information that Able Ride may have erroneously recorded.

• Contact employers, conduct internet searches and other resources to identify employment opportunities in students’ home community. Coordinate transition plan with the HKNC transdisciplinary team and the Deaf Blind Specialist. Make recommendations for supports, services and equipment that will be required for interview and job.

• Accompany student to the job site if necessary. Doing so may require the use of a personal vehicle.

  REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in Special Ed. or in education of DeafBlind, blind, deaf, or developmentally disabled individuals; related degree or equivalent experience.

One year of experience in work with deaf-blind, blind, deaf, or developmentally disabled individuals required or experience with sheltered workshops, supported employment or vocational training programs with disabled individuals.

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. we offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including:

• Paid Vacation Time

• Paid Sick Time

• Personal Days

• Fully paid Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance*

• 12 Paid Holidays

• Short Term Disability/ Life Insurance\

• Ancillary Benefit options

• 403b Program with Employer Match

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Career Advancement Opportunities

  *Applicants may opt to accept this position as a No-Frills employee. No-frills employees receive an additional 10% premium on the hourly rate of pay, but do not participate in the Union Health Insurance Plan. Individuals seeking a No-frills position must show they have alternative insurance to be eligible.