Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS)
Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA)
3443 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona 85012
www.azdes.gov 

Salary: $53,129.44 - $55,440.32 annually 

Grade: 18

Closing Date: Open until sufficient resumes are received

Would you like to be part of an amazing team that helps Arizonans thrive? At the Department of Economic Security (DES), we strengthen individuals, families, and communities for a better quality of life. DES is looking for individuals that are committed to service, community, and teamwork. To learn more about DES, please visit des.az.gov; or click on the link here to view ‘Our DES’ video. Come join the DES Team!

The Department of Economic Security, Division of Employment and Rehabilitation Services (DERS) strengthens Arizona communities by bridging and minimizing gaps to employment and independence.

DES is seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to join our team as a Rehabilitation Instructional Services Specialist 3 with the Rehabilitation Service Administration (RSA) This position is responsible for working under the general supervision of the Program Manager teaching independent living skills (Home Management, Personal Management, Communication, plus orientation and adjustment to blindness as well as Orientation and Mobility services and the provision of adaptive aids and devices. More specifically, Interviews applicant, evaluate needs, determines feasibility, plans, and presents individualized instructional/adjustment programs, and develops alternative teaching methods to aid a broad range of blind and visually impaired persons.

This position may be available for remote work within Arizona (minimum of 2 days per week in the office/hoteling).

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona, unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Vision Rehabilitation Therapist or Orientation and Mobility Specialist.
• Teach independent living skills to blind or visually impaired persons in appropriate environment(s) (home, skills center, work).
• Record clients’ performance and evaluate clients’ progress.
• Interview clients for services, noting essential information and client’s need and reason for applying.
• Develop service plan based on assessment and knowledge of client’s situation, gained from interviewing, and gathering case information.
• Perform functional low vision evaluations.
• Attend meetings of community action or community service organizations.
• Develop and participate in the development of training aids, instructional guides, written and performance tests and other instructional course material.

Knowledge in:
• Federal and State laws, statutes, regulations, policies, procedures and pertaining to public assistance programs governed by Family Assistance Administration (FAA).
• Public assistance eligibility determination processes and Family Assistance Administration case read process.

Skill in:
• Written and oral communication to convey a wide variety of information.
• Effective public speaking.

Ability to:
• Manage conflict and resolve problems at the local office level.
• Engage in appropriate verbal and written communication with staff and outside entities.

• Rehabilitation Teacher /Vision Rehabilitation Therapist or certified Orientation & Mobility (O & M) Specialist as provided by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Blindness Professional Certification Board (NBPCB).
• Bachelors or Masters degree in Rehabilitation Teaching/Vision Rehabilitation, Special Education, Gerontology, Social Work, Education, Counseling or Sociology, or a degree with an emphasis in Rehabilitation or a closely related field, such as Low Vision Specialist, Teacher for the Visually Impaired or Occupational Therapy.
• Candidates for this position shall be subject to a search of both the Child Protective Services Central Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 8-804 and the Adult Protective Services Registry pursuant to A.R.S. 46-459.
• Candidate shall have or meet the requirements to obtain prior to their first day of employment, a valid Level One Arizona fingerprint clearance card issued pursuant to Arizona Revised Statute 41-1758.07 in order to work with children and vulnerable adults.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent upon completion of the above-mentioned process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
• Travel will be required for State business. If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance. (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.C.C.) R2-10-207.11).

The Arizona Department of Economic Security offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) and long-term disability plans
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child.
• Deferred compensation plan
• Wellness plans
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Stipend Opportunities
• Infant at Work Program
• Rideshare and Public Transit Subsidy
• Career Advancement & Employee Development Opportunities

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

State employees are required to participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the State sponsored retirement contribution plan and the Long-Term Disability (LTD) program after a 27-week waiting period. The ASRS defined benefit plan provides for life-long income upon retirement. You will also have the option to participate in a voluntary deferred compensation program to take advantage of tax-deferred retirement investments.

On, or shortly after, your first day of work you will be provided with additional information about the available insurance plans, enrollment instructions, submission deadlines and effective dates.

For questions about this career opportunity, please contact Anthony Haeg at (623) 301-0437 or email AHaeg@azdes.gov.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting (623) 301-0437 or emailing AHaeg@azdes.gov. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.