Rehabilitation Specialist - Children's Specialist

The Family Support Division is seeking applicants for a Rehabilitation Specialist (Children’s Specialist for the Blind) located at 615 East 13 th St., Room 409, Kansas City, MO.

• Manages a caseload of children with vision loss and possible secondary disabilities
• Provides casework and/or counseling services as deemed necessary and appropriate to assist the family and/or guardian in coping realistically with the child's visual loss to maximize the child's potential.
• Provides parent education concerning infant care and stimulation and self-help skills for children with blindness or visual impairment.
• Provides referral and resource information to schools, families and/or guardian(s) to assist them in obtaining needed services. Serves as an advocate, when appropriate, to assist parents in obtaining needed services for the children with blindness or visual impairments.
• Administers and interprets assessment and interest inventories as for middle school and high school clients.
• Maintains case records and makes reports.
• Provide pre-employment transition services to ensure successful transition and maximize post-secondary transition.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

General Summary: First-level professional position accountable for carrying a caseload of clients with vision loss and possible additional disabilities. This position will work as a case manager, provide resources and referrals, advocacy support to ensure students are getting what they need in school, and provide or arrange for the provision of Pre-Employment Transition Services to improve transition outcomes for clients. This position will require travel in the field on a weekly basis to meet with clients, families, schools and other partners. Work includes related interviews to gather information, evaluating information and using it to drive services that are provided.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation counseling methods and techniques. Knowledge of the special education process and best practices for working with students with vision loss. Ability to analyze, evaluate, and understand the physical, emotional, and social implications of developmental, emotional, and/or physical disabilities. Ability to understand and interpret federal and state legislation pertaining to vocational rehabilitation. Good documentation and time management skills are also essential skills.

One year of professional experience in working with persons with blindness and/or visual impairment or in child development, special education, elementary education, pre- school education, child psychology, child welfare or closely related areas; and graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in special education for blind and/or visually impaired persons, child development, psychology, social work, sociology, special education, elementary education or closely related areas.

(Graduate work in the specified educational areas may be substituted on a year-for year-basis for the stated experience.)

Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift, or time-of-service pay).

Recruitment Area: Accepting applications from all qualified applicants.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .

FSD.Personnel@dss.mo.gov

• 

• State of Missouri

Show more