Position Title: Hard of Hearing Specialist (Tyler, Texas)

Position Description:

The Hard of Hearing Specialist Program facilitate access to services of federal, state and local governments, organizations and private entities for persons who are hard of hearing, late-deafened or oral deaf and who may be unserved or underserved in Region Four. The Specialist also works with state and local governments, organizations and private entities to make their services accessible and readily available to consumers by removing attitudinal and communication access barriers. The program assists consumers by sharing information about services available, and offers direct support in the various aspects of coping with hearing loss by providing training, information and referral services.

Responsibilities:

·  Provide consultative knowledge and expertise in working directly with hard of hearing, late-deafened or oral deaf consumers across hearing loss topics (i.e., coping mechanisms, assistive technology, maintaining a holistic lifestyle- family, employment, social circle support, etc.).

·  Work with consumers to identify service needs and link consumers to resources (i.e., support groups, social networks) and services (i.e., vocational rehabilitation, audiological) to facilitate continued independence and communication access.

·  Develop a peer network among unserved or underserved hard of hearing citizens and stakeholders to promote awareness of such services and support system towards a systems change advocacy capacity.

·  Market the positive facets of living with a hearing loss through general public awareness (i.e., assistive device demonstration, hearing loss trends) and targeted outreach activities (i.e., service provider training, consumer recruitment) to enhance services, resources, utilization and awareness of issues.

·  Ensure services and outcomes are of expected quality through follow-up contacts with consumers.

·  Work closely with the Regional Specialist to develop competencies for providing services to hard of hearing, late-deafened and oral deaf consumers including partnership roles in the provision of direct services, consultation and public education activities.

·  Develop partnerships (i.e., audiologists, hearing aid dispensers, speech-language pathologists, state and local service provider agencies, educational systems, private businesses, and nursing homes) through outreaching and networking activities to facilitate equal access and the provision of services.

·  Work collaboratively with state and local governments, organizations and private entities to make services accessible and readily available to consumers by removing attitudinal and communication access barriers.

·  Maintain electronic and paper database of service records to comply with funding and programmatic reporting requirements.

·  Perform other related tasks as assigned.

Qualifications:

·  Preference will be given to candidates possessing a Bachelor’s Degree in related human service field.

·  Favorable organizational, public speaking, and team work skills.

·  Familiarity with hard of hearing issues, hearing loss types, communication access options (i.e., CART) strategies, differences in the thresholds of deafness, and legal rights (i.e., ADA, IDEA) of hard of hearing individuals.

·  Demonstrated respect and sensitivity to the various communication, coping and amplification (i.e., cochlear implant) issues and decisions made by the target population

·  Familiarity with local, state and national resources for the hard of hearing population.

·  Ability to communicate effectively with consumers served and public entities.

·  Ability to use Microsoft Office software.

·  Access to personal vehicle for business use or public transportation.

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Benefits: Group Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, Retirement Program, Paid Time Off, Short Term Disability, Paid Holidays and Employee Assistance Program.

Application Deadline: Interviews will be scheduled until the position is filled. The position will begin September 1, 2005, contingent upon the successful awarding of the DARS contract.

Apply Online Immediately at: www.c-s-d.org.

An Equal Opportunity Employer