Job Openings

WA State Dept. of Services for the Blind

04/09/2025

**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. To view the full job posting and to submit your application, please use the following link: Vision Rehabilitation Specialist – Senior (In-Training)

Note: Standard business hours are Monday – Friday, from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, and may occasionally require flexibility to meet the agency's needs. We promote a healthy work/life balance. Telework and a flexible schedule may be available upon supervisory approval. Extensive daily travel is required,  as well as occasional overnights. The hiring team may make a hiring decision at any time. It is within your best interest to apply for this position at your earliest convenience.

DSB Relocation Allotment: DSB offers, upon approval, a relocation bonus and allotment for those staff relocating and needing to make the move to, or across the beautiful state of Washington to join our team.

Who We Are:
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind is “working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces.” DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation program assists individuals with visual disabilities achieve gainful employment and economic vitality through integration into the nation’s workforce, while assisting businesses with accessibility training, consultation, recruitment, and retention of qualified employees. Together, these services lead to the greater employment of qualified Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision individuals and more accessible and diverse businesses.

About the Opportunity:
As the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior, in this training position, you will have the opportunity to develop your expertise while working in a supportive and dynamic environment. Through on-the-job training, you will gain proficiency in Vision Rehabilitation and Low Vision Therapy (ADL’s and Low Vision Evaluations) using the latest technologies and training methods to support customers. You'll analyze and evaluate the adaptive skills of individuals with Blindness, Deaf-Blindness, and Low Vision, focusing on enhancing their Orientation & Mobility, daily living activities, and employment readiness.

In this role, you will contribute to curriculum development, implement effective training strategies for participants and employers seeking accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and assist in recruiting and developing vendors who provide specialized adaptive rehabilitation training. This position also includes the development of program standards for Low Vision Evaluations, as well as the monitoring and development of budgets for Low Vision Labs and Adaptive Tools. Additionally, you will play a pivotal role in providing adaptive education to businesses, participants, community partners, and employers, contributing to the creation of an inclusive and accessible environment.

Some of What You will Enjoy Doing:

• Independently synthesizes assessment data to develop comprehensive, individualized vocational services and training aligned with participants' goals
• Coordinates assessment results with the team, developing plans collaboratively for overlapping responsibilities.
  Communicates training scope, competencies, and expected results to participants, setting objectives and completion measurements for all training
• Conducts or arranges external vendor training, monitors participant progress, adjusts training plans as needed, and tests participant competencies
• Serves as a regional and statewide resource, communicating the agency's scope and mission, educating community partners and employers on adaptive tools, and providing consultation and technical assistance
• Leads onboarding, training, and development for lower-level vision rehabilitation specialist staff, including ongoing training requests and process improvement efforts
• Independently performs comprehensive low vision evaluations, coordinates recommendations to participants and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, and manages the Low Vision Lab
• Prepares and maintains documentation of training activities in the case management system, coordinates participant Orientation & Mobility/Rehabilitation Teaching needs, and contributes to the development of quality service standards within the team
• Conducts thorough assessments of participants referred for vocational rehabilitation services, evaluating disability/disabilities, family support, educational/work history, motivation, adaptive skills, attitude toward vision loss, and other relevant factors
• Measures and addresses participants' adjustment to vision loss, collaborating with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors or PS4 as needed. Recommends and implements solutions, therapies, techniques, and tools for low vision needs
• Provides participants with relevant information and referrals to community resources, analyzes anticipated needs for aids and appliances, and facilitates "informed choice" in service selection. Formally recommends aids, appliances, home modifications, training needs, and other services in the electronic case management system
• Other duties as needed

Required Qualifications:
This position may be filled at the Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry, Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey, or Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior level, depending on qualifications. Advancement to the next level will be based upon the successful completion of an established In-Training Plan. Low Vision Evaluation and professional development of these skills are provided by DSB as the successful candidate progresses in their position.

What is an in-training plan? The in-training is intended to provide an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. Upon successful completion of an in-training program, the incumbent will move up to the next job classification that is listed on the in-training plan if applicable.

Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry
To qualify for this specific Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry level position, a candidate must possess the following:
 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology; NOTE: Two (2) years of experience in social services or providing services to individuals who are blind, low vision or deaf blind will substitute for two (2) years of the required education.
• For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey
To qualify for this specific Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey level position, a candidate must possess one (1) of the following qualification combination options:

[OPTION 1]:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.
• For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

[OPTION 2]:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology; AND
• Two (2) years of paid professional experience providing services that teach adaptive skill of blindness to the blind, low vision, or deaf blind individuals.
• For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

Required Qualifications for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior
To qualify for this specific Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior level position, a candidate must possess one (1) of the following qualification combination options:

[OPTION 1]:

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.
• For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

[OPTION 2]:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology; AND
• Three (3) years of paid professional experience providing services that teach adaptive skills of blindness to the blind, low vision, or deaf blind individuals, including one year of supervisory or lead experience.
• For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

The salary ranges for each level of the position is as follows:
Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Entry: $3,728 - $4,987 per month
Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Journey: $4,299 - $5,783 per month
Vision Rehabilitation Specialist - Senior: $5,117 - $6,876 per month

Preferred Qualifications:
• Effective in conducting superior work with a high degree of independence and autonomy
• Demonstrates superior documentation and qualify of work

How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Please use this link to start your application: Job Link for Vision Rehabilitation Specialist – Senior (In-Training). 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.

E_mail: jobs@des.wa.gov

Phone: 360-407-7934

Cert: COMS