Job Openings

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes

11/23/2021

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Our organization operates under a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate. If hired, as a term and condition of your employment, you must be able to provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status. If a candidate is seeking a medical or religious exemption, they must enter the interactive accommodation process prior to their first day.  

 

The Adaptive Technology Instructor will be responsible for the creation, deployment, and coordination of training programs that assist individuals who are blind or visually impaired with learning the tools and techniques that allow them to perform functions of their job or to live independently.

 

This position will work closely with Vision Rehabilitation Therapists, Orientation & Mobility Specialists, Career Development Specialists, and Low Vision Doctors to understand the needs of the individual being served and determine the best adaptive skill or technology required. Installation of equipment, apps, and instruction will be the role of the Adaptive Technology instructor.

 

Comprehensive technology assessments, individualized training, group training, and product research will all be a part of the Adaptive Technology Instructor’s role as the organization serves individuals referred by the New York State Commission for the Blind and community agencies as well as accommodating individual requests.

 

The employee must be able to conduct assessments and trainings throughout the nine county service area.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Completion of comprehensive technology assessments to determine a participant’s needs, and appropriate documentation to referring organization to recommend services and / or products in terms of job readiness, life skills, and career skills.

2.    Collaboration with the Mission Services team to provide holistic and comprehensive services to all participants. Support providers by installing and providing training on applications and technologies to be used in participant services.

3.    Individualized instruction on technology including, but not limited to, screen readers (i.e. JAWS. NVDA); magnification software (i.e. ZoomText); CCTVs; Braille displays; and other appropriate technologies.

4.    Working with employer IT specialists to insure accommodations can be made in the workplace, and that workplace technologies are compatible.

5.    Development of curricula and appropriate instructional methods such as individualized and group instruction, demonstrations, conferences, meetings and / or workshops to introduce and enhance participants use of accessibility features on existing equipment such as phones, tablets and PCs. Guidance on products that meet the individual’s needs.

6.    Selects or develops teaching aids such as training handbooks, demonstration models, multimedia visual aids, computer tutorials and reference works.

7.    Ensures successful transfer of knowledge and skills:

  • Identifies and utilizes most appropriate teaching methods;
  • Individualizes training approach to coincide with the learning style of each person served; and tests trainees to measure progress and to evaluate effectiveness of training.

8.    Maintaining knowledge of current products and exploring their usefulness for the individuals served.

9.    Development, organization, and facilitation of a fee-for-service technology-training program that can be accessed by the public.

10. Review of community partner websites and materials for accessibility as requested.

11. Maintain the Adaptive Technology Center, insuring that updated technologies are installed and available for demonstration and training.

12. Evaluate products for the purposes of purchasing, leasing, or otherwise providing for the device to be available for demonstration.

13. Generate and maintain internal and external documentation:

  • maintains accurate and timely case notes for all services provided.
  • completes progress reports for participants during training periods.
  • generate thorough and timely reporting for all participants as required by contract or referring agency.

14. Assists in writing proposals, marketing programs and recruiting participants.

15. Ensures fiscal accountability and compliance with all grant, contractual, federal, state and local regulatory requirements.

16. Maintains a system to maintain an accurate inventory of organization/department owned equipment.

17. Contributes to the overall effectiveness of the Organization, the Employment & Technology Services Team, and the Vision Rehabilitation Department by performing all other duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Degree or certificate in Assistive Technology training from a nationally recognized organization (ie. ATP, CATIS), including training/testing in all of the following areas:

· Help in acquiring AT devices

· Guidance in selecting, customizing, adapting, maintaining, repairing, or replacing AT devices

· Coordinating and using necessary interventions (for example, low vision services) with the use of AT devices

· Training or providing technical assistance to individuals with disabilities, family members or significant others, professionals, and employers in the effective use and integration of AT devices

Bachelor's degree in Human Services, Education or related field including direct service and program coordination required. Minimum of three years of successful teaching/training experience. Strong technical skills and extensive knowledge of computer hardware, and software applications. Experience with adaptive technology preferred.

Or equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to clearly communicate concepts, processes and methods to enhance learning and skill building. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write business correspondence, and effectively present information and respond to questions from participants, referring agencies, colleagues, and the general public.

 

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Able to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to:

· Travel independently to participant homes or agreed-upon meeting places, sometimes carrying equipment and adaptive technology accessories.

· The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and may occasionally lift up to 25 pounds.

· Communicate effectively to plan, provide instruction, deliver feedback and report progress.

· Utilize the computer keyboard efficiently and sit for periods of time to deliver training, generate reports, or respond to electronic correspondence.

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

· The work environment is variable, and may include classroom style or individual delivery within an office, school or home setting.

· Transition between several settings in one day may be required.

· Noise level is usually moderate.

 

 

Goodwill of the Finger Lakes and its subsidiaries encourage diversity in the workplace; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity or Expression/Veteran/Disability

 

Our organization operates under a federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate. If hired, as a term and condition of your employment, you must be able to provide proof of your COVID-19 vaccination status. If a candidate is seeking a medical or religious exemption, they must enter the interactive accommodation process prior to their first day.  

E_mail: dburns@goodwillfingerlakes.org

Phone: 585-327-4442

Cert: CATIS

Relocation assistance available