Older Blind Counselor - 60026653

Full Job Description

The mission of the SC Commission for the Blind (SCCB), established in 1966, is to provide quality individualized vocational rehabilitation services, independent living services, and prevention-of-blindness services to South Carolinians who are blind or visually impaired leading to competitive employment and social and economic independence.

Our goal is to become a national model vocational rehabilitation agency for people who are blind and visually impaired, demonstrating quality services, accountability, innovation, effectiveness and efficiency.

Do you want a career doing meaningful work that has a positive impact on people’s lives? Have you thought about a career in state government but weren’t sure how or where to begin?

The SCCB is looking for hard working passionate individuals such as you!

Every SCCB employee is important and a career with the SCCB will give you the opportunity to grow professionally and personally as you play a crucial role in the delivery of services to South Carolinians with visual impairments.

Within the SCCB the Older Blind Services Program assists seniors (at least 55 years old) in maintaining independence within their home and community settings.

Older Blind Counselors (OBC) work independently with limited supervision to maintain the principals, practices and policies of the SC Commission for the Blind and ensure standards are met in the delivery of services throughout the coverage area.

OBC help consumers develop a plan of services, which may include counseling and guidance, training on how to manage personal care and daily tasks, labeling and organizing items around the home, safe cooking techniques, adjustment to blindness, referral to community resources, low-vision evaluations, orientation and mobility training, and instruction in the use of adaptive computer software.

The SCCB is currently recruiting for an Older Blind Counselor in the Columbia region of South Carolina. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Create and maintain positive relationships with community partners, other state agencies, businesses, and referral sources,
• Determines eligibility for Older Blind Services,
• In partnership with the consumer, complete the older blind assessment and develop and implement an Individualized Plan for Independent Living (IPIL) that allows the consumer to exercise informed choice,
• Provide counseling and guidance towards the achievement of independent living goals. Coordinate services and caseload management to promote timely, quality service delivery.
• Provide home management tools and training as needed for older blind consumers,
• Input case data accurately and timely into the case management system to ensure the accuracy of federal and state reporting,
• Ensure purchased consumer goods and services are pre-authorized and delivered in a timely manner in accordance with their Individualized Plan for Independent Living (IPIL), and
• Ensure all cases are closed appropriately.

Some in-state travel may be required.

Requirements

State: A bachelor's degree and professional experience in human services or social services programs.
Agency: A bachelor's degree and relevant experience. Experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for a degree pursuant to SC State Human Resources Regulations.

Qualifications

Considerable knowledge and the ability to work with older adults with disabilities. Ability to communicate effectively. Ability to deal courteously and effectively with the public. Ability to perform duties under limited supervision. Supervisor is available on a routine basis by telephone or e-mail. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with peers, consumers, and the public.

Additional Information

The SCCB is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited to, lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

The SCCB offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children,
• 15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year*,
• 15 days of sick leave per year,
• 13 paid holidays,
• Paid Parental Leave,
• Relocation reimbursement**,
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs, and
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

*Employees holding FTE status earn additional annual leave the longer they remain employed with the state.

**Eligible new hires from out-of-state may receive up to $5,000 in reimbursements for certain expenses, pursuant to Section 8-11-135 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.

A copy of your transcript may be uploaded as an attachment to the application. Upon hiring, candidates must submit official college transcript(s) or diploma(s) for degree(s) obtained. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.