DeafBlind Services Specialist

Agency

Dept of Health and Human Services

Division

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Job Classification Title

Casework Associate II (S)

Position Number

65043003

Grade

NC06

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

Description of Work

DSDHH is hiring a DeafBlind Services Specialist for Wilson, NC and Wilmington, NC! We are seeking an expert who is passionate about empowering DeafBlind individuals by ensuring they have access to information, technology, community resources, advocacy support, and effective communication, so they can fully participate in and enjoy their communities.

The DeafBlind Services Specialist serves DeafBlind consumers (and their families). The DeafBlind Services Specialist may be stationed at the Wilson Regional Center located in Wilson, NC and/or the Wilmington Regional Center in Wilmington, NC. This position provides advocacy, information and referral, skill development to enhance communication skills, develops and facilitates DeafBlind support groups and/or other resources, consultation services to families, employers, etc. and assistance in regard to telecommunication access, including telephone equipment and various assistive technologies both in groups and/or individuals in a variety of settings including but not limited to homes and skilled care facilities. This position also provides assessment of needs and consultation for consumers applying for the NC DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program. The DeafBlind Services Specialist (DBSS) provides education and public presentations to agencies and organizations in the areas of DSDHH programs, hearing loss sensitivity, awareness, and legislation as it relates to issues affecting those with hearing loss and vision loss. The DBSS participates in community events such as health & wellness fairs and other events promoting equal communication access which may require an adjusted schedule to work after normal working hours, including evenings and weekends.

The individual in this position typically works with persons who are Deaf and Blind in rural and urban parts of NC and travels within and outside of the Wilson and Wilmington regions.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Salary Range: $35,596 - $62,294

Recruitment Range: $35,596 - $59,973

Repost - Previous Applicants Do Not Need To Reapply In Order To Be Considered For This Vacancy. 

 *Eligibility for Sign-on Bonus

To qualify for the Sign-on Bonus, a newly hired permanent full-time or permanent part-time employee must work 30 to 40 hours per week to be eligible. Those who are eligible and working less than 40 hours a week will receive a prorated rate.

An employee is not eligible for a sign-on bonus if:

• The employee has held a position in the North Carolina State government, including the judicial system, or the University of North Carolina system, within the last 12 months (the employee shall remain ineligible for 12 months from the separation date)
• The employee has previously received a sign-on bonus from any State agency
• DHHS has paid any contract placement or recruitment fees.

All Sign-on Bonuses are contingent upon budget and final eligibility determination as of the effective date of hire. Additional information regarding the Sign-on Policy can be found here Sign-On and Retention Bonus Policy

 

Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement.

The Knowledge Skills and Abilities/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred.

• Extensive knowledge of ADA and related advocacy laws as they pertain to working with DeafBlind populations
• Experience working with DeafBlind populations -\
• Demonstrated skill in developing and delivering presentations to a variety of public audiences
• Knowledge and/or training in one or more of the following: resources, outreach, counseling, assistive devices (including hearing aids), techniques and other tools to assist in achieving equal communication access including laws, consumer organizations, etc.
• Proficient in the use of computer applications and software to include: Excel spreadsheets; Microsoft Word; and databases

This position will close at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.

Deaf-Blind Services provide assistive technology, employment services and specialized training to help people who are deaf-blind improve the quality and ease of their everyday lives. Living with hearing and vision loss is challenging, but our specialists can help improve your quality of life.

Compensation & Benefits:
The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits.  Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).  Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.  In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.  

Visit website for State Benefits

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders.  We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.  For more information about DHHS: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 303, our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved.  We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

               

Application Process
Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.   Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. 

• Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
• Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust" will be subject to a criminal background check.
• Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account.  Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
• Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application. The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
• For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at https://www.naces.org/members. 

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. 
• Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation.  If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION: 

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at talentacquisition@dhhs.nc.gov. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in a field relative to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related work experience with the client population.

OR

Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a related programmatic area providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

LaWanna Baker

Contact:

DHHS Workday Support Form