TO APPLY: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/5368395/orientat…
About this Opportunity
The goal of DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation program is to assist in the stable employment and skills development of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision agency customers. The Orientation and Training Center (OTC) contributes to the agency mission by providing intensive training and other experiences that empower students to increase their self-awareness, self-advocacy, alternative skills of Blindness, and employability to their maximum potential. The OTC accomplishes these goals through combinations of formal training in a classroom setting and a variety of community-based activities.
This position provides leadership for the Orientation and Training Center to:
Manage, grow and streamline residential program services to promote highest quality adaptive skills training and adjustment to blindness activities which provide agency customers a strong foundation for their job-readiness and vocational goals
Educate and incorporate the Agency cultural values within teams
Emphasize and encourage vocational context for all multidisciplinary team staff roles
Establish, review and revise agency and program procedure
Work to ensure staff continuously review and refine understanding of the subtle contexts of working in the field of disability
Fill all staff vacancies in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement, state HR requirements, needs of agency and local team, and agency values for diversity/disability representation among the workforce
Communicate staff performance expectations and conduct performance reviews and evaluations
Resolve and mediate conflict situations
The focus of this position is to lead the OTC into alignment with the agency's culture, work and processes, and to assist the agency, staff and customers in achieving expected outcomes. This position is responsible for managing the programs and all customer activity performed by the agency in the Orientation and Training Center for residential and commuting students, located in the Seattle area.
This position is responsible for a multi-disciplinary team of nine staff members and has an annual budget of over $1 million. The OTC annually provides assessment, adjustment to blindness, self-advocacy, adaptive skills of living and vocational training services to 60-100 Washington State residents who are Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision to gain competitive, integrated employment.
To learn the full expectations and responsibilities of this position, email the recruiter: Rachel Vaughan @ jobs [at] des.wa.gov and request the full job description.
Duties
Duties associated with this position include:
Communicate to staff, agency customers and external customers the Agency's scope and mission, the VR process, and the scope and impact of broader laws and regulations such as the reauthorization of the Rehab Act within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Code of Federal Regulations, RSA technical guidelines, Americans with Disability Act (ADA), Washington State WAC 67-25, and DSB procedure
Educate and incorporate the Agency cultural values and blindness expertise within teams and among external partners, including:
Belief in customer abilities, safety, respect, dignity, and movement towards their maximum independence
How targeted training, tools, high expectation and mentorship allow individuals with visual disabilities to achieve their life and vocational goals
Promote diversity and champion the abilities of individuals with a disability
Direct Communications
Performance- and Team-orientation
Accountability
Promptly fill all vacancies in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement, state HR requirements, needs of agency and local team, and agency values for diversity/disability representation among the workforce
Develop clear and feasible performance expectations through PDF and PDP process
Provide clear, valid, and data-driven performance measurements and feedback to staff
Identify performance gaps, and collaborate/communicate with staff to develop a plan to bridge gaps and assess progress and best fit for position
Evaluate and monitor customer service delivery processes by conducting and analyzing case record reviews regularly to assure best practices are utilized, and federal & state regulations are followed
Provide supports for student scheduling. comprehensive trainings and career experience for approximately 60-100 residential and commuting students annually
Identify and address facility needs (training & residential)
Analyze data and reorganize work to manage agency resources
Provide direct marketing and orientation of program to DSB customers, DSB staff, and community members
Maintain accurate data for program evaluation and reporting
Utilization of data management reports to understand historical performance trends and identify anomalies and/or changes
Consider skill gap trends, geography, distance and available staff in team makeup and organization of work, and in recruitment for vacancies
Establish and/or revise agency and program policy & procedure
Initiate, manage and guide agency program improvement projects
Manage change process for teams; communicate, and implement change, addressing staff needs within change process
Communicate agency performance and outcomes with teams, and strategize with teams for continuous performance improvements
Communicate program updates within the teams, and communicate staff needs to management group
Identify resource needs and strategize means for resolving needs
Solicit and integrate customer feedback into improvement processes
Develop systems to promote strong case documentation among staff
Initiate, manage and guide agency program and process improvement projects
Develop systems for internal controls for program processes, to review and analyze data that processes are followed and results are as expected
Document staff performance issues, consistently and at appropriate level
Maintain supervisory case documentation
Act as mediator for resolution of staff-to-staff or customer-to-staff dispute
Work to resolve all issues at lowest level
Use collaboration and mediation techniques for win-win resolution where possible
Keep agency mission the central focus in disputes and resolution efforts
Follow appropriate procedures outlined in CSA or RSA guidelines for disputes
As manager of OTC budget, manage contracts and procurement in accordance with state and agency regulations
Required Qualifications
To meet qualifications of this position, applicants must have a total of six (6) years of qualifying experience in.
[OPTION 1]
Six (6) years' experience in Public Administration and/or developing and managing adult educational training programs
AND
Expert knowledge of current rehabilitation teaching practices AND possess the competencies listed below.
[OPTION 2]
Bachelor's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling, Public or Business Administration, Adult Education, or related field required
AND
Two (2) years' experience in public administration and/or developing and managing adult educational training programs
In addition to qualifying with one of the above options, applicants must possess the following competencies:
Leadership and Staff Development: Ability to lead, coach, and develop professional staff ability to set clear performance expectations
Program and Operational Management: Ability to plan, organize, and manage daily program operations
Regulatory and Policy Competence: Ability to interpret and apply federal and state vocational rehabilitation regulations, including WIOA, RSA guidance, ADA, and WAC 67-25
Decision-Making and Judgment: Ability to make timely and sound decisions using data, precedent, and professional judgment; ability to navigate somewhat unfamiliar or evolving circumstances
Financial and Resource Stewardship: Ability to manage program budgets, procurement, and contracts within state and agency policies
Performance Management and Accountability: Ability to conduct evaluations, document performance concerns, and take corrective action consistent with HR rules and collective bargaining agreements
Data Literacy and Analytical Thinking: Ability to use data systems, reports, and trend analysis to evaluate program performance
Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to communicate expectations, policy guidance, program updates, and performance information clearly
Change Management and Process Improvement: Ability to lead teams through change; ability to implement new initiatives and improvement projects
Confidentiality and Professionalism: Maintains the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information; demonstrates professionalism in all interactions
Technical Skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other standard office tools
Willingness to Learn: Must have a desire to learn about the specialized needs of and/or resources available to individuals who are blind, deaf blind, or low vision and who also may have other disabilities
Professional Growth and Service Mindset: The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others
Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:
Masters' degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Rehabilitation Teaching, Public or Business Administration, Adult Education, or a related field
Work experience with a range of people with disabilities with experience in:
Job readiness/vocational training
Adaptive technologies of blindness and low vision
Work within a public Vocational Rehabilitation program
English as a Second Language (ESL) training
Managing distance learning programs
Curriculum development and course scheduling
Supervisory experience
Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation laws, regulations, and practices (WIOA, RSA guidance, ADA, WAC 67-25)
Experience working in blindness services or disability-focused programs
Experience developing or delivering training to staff, partners, or customers
Experience managing contracts or vendor relationships
Experience with conflict resolution, mediation, or collaborative problem-solving in a supervisory context
Experience representing an agency or program in external partnerships or stakeholder settings