Vision Rehabilitation Specialist

Salary: $3,728.00 - $6,876.00 Monthly
Location : Pierce County - Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2025-DSB-005
Department: Dept. of Services for the Blind
Opening Date: 04/09/2025
Closing Date: 4/23/:59 PM Pacific

Description
Contact Information: Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Aggie Swanson at or email

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:
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.
Duties

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 Qualifications

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 . click apply for full job details