DeafBlind Services Specialist

St. Paul, MN

$43,681 - $64,060 annually

GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! The State of Minnesota offers a comprehensive benefits package including low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, pre-tax flexible spending accounts, retirement plan, tax-deferred compensation, generous vacation and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays each year. This position is located in Minnesota's great capital city, St. Paul. The State of Minnesota offers employees subsidizes for public transportation allowing for convenient and easy access to commute to work. Ride the new METRO "Green Line" Light Rail Train to work! The Golden Rule Building is located close by.

This is a two-year unclassified position in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Division. The primary purpose is to ensure people in Minnesota who are Deafblind have full access to services provided by public and private entities:

1) Work directly with consumers with dual vision and hearing loss and their families to provide technical assistance, information and referral, and case management in the DeafBlind Consumer Directed Services program. Services may include individual case management for the program, technical assistance on outcome and budget development, and/or assistance in resolving workplan or budget problems;
2) Provide information and referral, assessment, intervention, and follow-up to ensure consumers who are Deafblind have access to the full range of human service;

3) Promote and explain program goals, policies, and activities so that a consistent service delivery model is available to consumers who are Deafblind and service providers on a statewide basis;
4) Maintain good public relations with service providers, consumers, public and private agencies;

5) Provide consultation, program evaluation and technical assistance to improve program accessibility for consumers who are Deafblind and their families;

6) Design and provide training activities for various agencies, personnel and individuals who are Deafblind;
7) Participate in special projects as assigned or self-initiated.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's degree in human services, education, or other related field.
  • At least three years full-time documented experience working directly with people who are Deafblind in human services, education or employment.
  • Advanced skills and in-depth knowledge of the social, cultural, economic and specials needs of a wide range of people who have dual vision and hearing loss, Deafblind, Deaf, and/or hard of hearing, and their families.
  • Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws relating to the rights of people with multiple disabilities.
  • Must demonstrate advanced skills in various forms of communication used by persons who are Deafblind, including but not limited to: American Sign Language, tactile sign language, and familiarity and experience Pro-Tactile communication techniques.
  • Must have demonstrated experience in communication and organizational skills necessary to present and facilitate meetings and training sessions.
  • Must be sensitive to and respectful of cultural, linguistic and other differences interacting with myriad consumers and providers.
  • Must be available to travel statewide, including occasional overnight stays.
NOTE: Successful applicants will be required to pass internal visual language competency screenings and must be able to satisfactorily meet written English standards for business writing. A writing sample will be required during the interview process to demonstrate writing ability and computer literacy for preparing reports, policies, procedures and correspondence required of this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • At least three years full-time documented experience working in human services with public and private agencies.
  • Must have experience in effective and responsible use of state program funds, tracking and results-accountability measures.
  • Must demonstrate leadership experience, initiative in self-directed projects, and expertise in knowing resources for people who are Deafblind and their families.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates must apply online through the State of Minnesota Careers website, which is the state’s official application and hiring site. See instructions below on how to submit your resume and application. For assistance with this process, contact the Website Helpdesk at 651-259-3637 or . Please be sure to apply at your earliest convenience before the posting closes at MIDNIGHT on Wednesday, September 16th, 2015.

  1. Go to
  2. Select “Applicant Help”
  3. Click “Apply for Jobs” to create an account and submit your resume
  4. Apply for job posting number: 15DHS000975

(NOTE: the classification for this position is Deaf & Hard of Hearing Program Advisor)

If you have questions, please contact:

Pam Hughes

Recruitment Specialist

Phone: 651-431-3281

Email:

DHS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action, veteran friendly employer. DHS is committed to ensuring culturally responsive services and recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential. To build a diverse workforce DHS strongly encourages individuals with disabilities, people of color, Native Americans and veterans to apply.