Title: Wellness Instructor - #RCB00008

State Role Title: Trainer and Instructor II

Hiring Range: Anticipated starting salary at $59,000 up to low $90,000s

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept for Blind/Vision Impaired

Location: Blind & Vision Impaired

Agency Website: https://www.dars.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

If you want to work in an environment with a dynamic team that has a passion in reducing and removing blindness, low vision, and deafblind related barriers to employment, then this is the place for you.

Job Duties:

*Telework is limited, in accordance with the Commonwealth’s telework policy*

The mission of the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired (DBVI) is to provide services and resources which empower individuals who are blind, vision impaired, or deafblind to achieve their desired levels of employment, education, and personal independence.
We are seeking a Wellness Instructor. The incumbent will organize, plan, and deliver individualized Wellness Instruction to blind, vision impaired, and deafblind students. This instruction is designed to help students achieve their optimum level of independence and wellness at home, in their communities, and at work.

Core responsibilities will include but are not limited to:

1. Evaluates student needs and makes training recommendation. 
2. Schedules, plans, and delivers Wellness Instruction. 
3. Schedules, plans, and delivers recreational activities. 
4. Communicates effectively in oral and written format regarding services provided, accomplishments achieved, challenges encountered, recommendations, and attendance. 
5. Participates in and promotes activities/programs related to empowering blind or vision impaired students to achieve their maximum levels of independence consistent with their abilities and goals.

Minimum Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:

• Basic water safety certification AND CPR certification OR Lifeguard certification with water instructor’s certification, or ability to obtain same within 2 months of employment.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Education and/or experience as a wellness instructor or coach.
• Knowledge of health and wellness programs, including principles and methods for curriculum and training design, assessment procedures, teaching, and instruction for individuals and groups, and measurement of training efficacy.
• Knowledge of specific disease and lifestyle related topics such as smoking cessation, weight management, nutrition, stress reduction, and chronic conditions, and certification from an accredited professional fitness instruction program.
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal service. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of blindness, vision impairments, and other disabilities, and knowledge of adaptive skills and equipment for independent functioning.

Abilities/Skills:

• Excellent computer skills, including MS Office applications such as Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel. 
• Ability to serve as a resource, advisor, coordinator, and educator in the delivery of designated wellness related programs and activities, and to access and develop wellness education programs to meet the needs of the agency’s consumers. 
• Ability to partner with individuals, organizations, and community members to plan and coordinate activities to promote good health and wellness.
• Ability to work well with a variety of people, to establish rapport and trust with students, and work as a member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. 
• Strong desire to instruct, coach, motivate, support, and empower students and consumers. 
• Must be outgoing and personable, able to work independently, and possess excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.

Basic water safety certification and CPR certification or Lifeguard certification with water instructor’s certification, or ability to obtain same within 2 months of employment.

Additional Considerations

• Training or experience in health promotion, health education, athletic training, nutrition, or other health related field, or some experience as a wellness instructor or coach.
• Experience teaching individuals who are blind, vision impaired, or deafblind.
• Ability to gather data about a student's career interests and the physical abilities the student would use on the job.

Special Instructions:

Basic water safety certification AND CPR certification OR Lifeguard certification with water instructor’s certification, or ability to obtain same within 2 months of employment.

• This has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2-1201.1.
• A fingerprint-based criminal history check will be required of the finalist candidate.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.

Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.

To Apply:

Equal Opportunity Employer State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Contact Information:

Name: Human Resources

Email: Recruitment@dars.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.