Location: Des Moines, IA Salary Minimum: $38,459.20Job Type: Full-timeAgency: 131 Iowa Department for the BlindJob Number: 25-00173Post Close Date: August 15, 2024Point of Contact: Ambrose Ball-Harney
To Apply: All candidates are strongly encouraged to attach a cover letter and resume to the application.
Job Description:
The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking an energetic and passionate Youth Services Worker for its Young Adult Transition Program for blind youth. The greatest reward in this position is watching youth learn to do more for themselves and increase in their independence and self-determination. Ideal candidates will possess a belief in the capacity of blind persons, a strong work ethic, patients, and the ability to connect with and motivate youth. IDB can provide training in the specific blindness skills areas listed if needed. New Youth Services Workers typically start at the listed salary minimum.
Applications will be primarily evaluated based on the content of uploaded resumes and cover letters and how they outline applicant’s interest in and qualification for the position.The Young Adult Transition Program is a school-year-based residential program for youth who have finished high school, but who need additional instruction in order to participate in post-secondary learning and employment opportunities. Youth Services workers will primarily work with students on their personal care, cooking/cleaning, and social skills in the IDB dorms, during community activities, and during volunteer and paid work experiences. During the summer, Youth Services Workers work with IDB’s summer program for youth ages 14-21.Initial staff training and other agency meetings will take place during regular business hours Monday through Friday. Individual Youth Services Worker’s schedules will then be set with the Program Administrator to provide appropriate coverage to meet students’ needs. While total coverage is split between all Youth Services Workers so exact schedules vary, work hours will generally consist of early morning, evening, and weekend hours to work with students outside of classes. Youth Services Workers must be comfortable with working primarily outside of business hours. Duties and responsibilities to include the following:
Provide Workplace Readiness, Self-Advocacy, and Disability-Related skills training to blind youth in comprehensive residential training programs such as the Young Adult Transition Program and LEAP Program.
Work with students on increasing their independent living skills in areas such as developing and managing their morning and evening routines, managing personal hygiene, maintaining clean and organized living spaces, completing laundry and other common household tasks, shopping for groceries and other needed items and planning and preparing their own meals.
Support student learning through providing supplemental braille, technology, cane travel and money management instruction, in particular by working with students to utilize these skills in their daily lives outside the classroom.
Facilitate students’ development of age-appropriate social skills through activities on and off campus.
Assist students in traveling to and participating in activities in the community for recreation, volunteering and employment.
Reinforce proper cane technique and other nonvisual skills during these activities.
Serve as a role model for students in the use of nonvisual techniques and problem-solving skills.
Monitor student behavior and the students’ living areas.
Provide appropriate supervision to ensure student safety.
Document student progress through monthly and end of program reports.
Collaborate with program staff and supervisor to address student needs and concerns.
Promote a positive philosophy of blindness through involvement in trainings and community outreach events for parents, educators and other service providers as directed.
Essential functions of this position:
Demonstrate and promote a positive philosophy of blindness.
Actively participate in program activities.
Communicate regularly with program leaders regarding student needs and concerns.
Document student progress through regular written reports.
Actively monitor student behavior and living areas.
Clearly document incidents related to students’ health and safety.
Travel using the long white cane under sleepshades in order to provide appropriate guidance and instruction to students when traveling.
Read and write contracted braille to provide guidance and feedback to students developing their braille skills.
It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment. For further information, contact Ambrose Ball-Harney, 515-829-7411 or ambrose.ballharney@blind.state.ia.us.This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) . Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.Minimum Qualification Requirements
Graduation from high school or G.E.D.;
OR
experience equal to two years of full-time work in a youth service program working directly in the treatment of adjudicated, at risk, or other youths needing service or assistance.For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description (Download PDF reader) and minimum qualifications.
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