Visually Impaired Assistant Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

The Licensed Recreational Therapist (LRT) position offers an opportunity to work at the DSB Career and Training Center (CTC) in Raleigh with adults of all ages, as well as teens as young as 14 during a summer program. The primary purpose of the position is to provide individualized, comprehensive assessments for people who are blind, deafblind, or visually impaired who are referred to the Center by Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors from offices across the state. In collaboration with each participant, the LRT develops and implements individualized goals and interventions. This position also plans and facilitates a wide range of group activities. Individual and group programming includes activities related to leisure education, adaptive exercise, social skills, problem solving, coping skills, adventure/challenge programs, sports and recreation skills, and other therapeutic initiatives. This LRT position is a second-shift role, working Sunday through Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. As a second-shift position, it is eligible for differential pay. Additional hours or shifts may occasionally be required. The Center is closed for all state holidays and has planning days several times a year during breaks between programming. Duties are performed with considerable independence while operating within Division policies and guidelines.

Job responsibilities include:

• Providing instruction in Leisure Education and Therapeutic Recreation areas that enable participants to achieve their independent living and vocational employment goals.
• Applying expertise in therapeutic recreation to develop individualized plans that enhance awareness of community resources, promote independence, improve overall health and well-being, and support an improved quality of life.
• Developing comprehensive recreational therapy programs that incorporate assessment tools, progress notes, and evaluation forms.
• Planning, implementing, and evaluating quality recreation programs and services based on individual assessments of needs, interests, and abilities.
• Providing written and verbal reports to interdisciplinary teams.
• Coordinate and collaborate with participants, interdisciplinary team members, vendors, and community organizations.
• Assist participants in learning to use technology to access resources in their communities.

Salary Range: $41,407.00 - $62,111.00

Recruitment Range: $41,407.00 - $54,069.00

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they have the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The following Management Preferences are not required, but applicants that possess these skills are preferred:

• Three years of experience working with individuals who are visually impaired, blind, and deafblind
• A working knowledge and useable skills of CPR/first aid and AED
• Ability to work additional hours/shifts when needed
• Lifeguard certified

Position is funded in part through federal funds.

Posting closes at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.

The Division of Services for the Blind provides services to people who are visually impaired, blind and deaf- blind to help them reach their goals of independence and employment.

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees. Visit website for benefits.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.

In accordance with the Governor's Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Be sure to complete the application in its entirety. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members.

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans' and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of their DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an "equivalent combination of education and experience." If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Licensed to practice recreational therapy by the North Carolina Board of Recreational Therapy Licensure.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.