Rehabilitation/Mobility Instructor

Location: Chicago, IL, US, 60621

Job Requisition ID:  39730

Agency: Department of Human Services 

Opening Date: 07/17/2024

Closing Date/Time: 07/30/2024 

Salary:  Anticipated Salary $6,005-$8,678/month ($72,060-$104,136/year)  

Job Type: Salaried 

County:  Cook  

Number of Vacancies:  1  

Work Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm  

Work Location: 6221 S Emerald Dr Chicago, IL 60621-2059  
Division of Rehabilitation Services

Customer and Community Blind Services

Region 1

Position Overview

The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the state’s lead division serving people with disabilities committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and racial justice.  The mission of the Division is to assist individuals with disabilities in achieving their goals of employment, education, and independent living. The Division of Rehabilitation Services is seeking to hire a self-motivated and detail-oriented individual with good communication skills.  This position provides professional instruction and counseling in independent living skills to individuals who are Blind, Visually Impaired or DeafBlind in the Bureau of Customer and Community Blind Services working with customers in their home environment and/or group or classroom setting. 

Job Responsibilities

1. Provides professional instruction and counseling in independent living skills to individuals who are blind, visually impaired and/or Deafblind in an assigned geographical area in the Bureau of Customer and Community Blind Services.
2. Manages caseload of customers who are Blind, Visually Impaired, or DeafBlind.
3. Establishes and nurtures effective working relationships with customers.
4. Participates in staff meetings and assists with training for trainee level staff.
5. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires a master's degree with major coursework in rehabilitation, rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation teaching, guidance and counseling, orientation and mobility, low vision and blindness, special education, or a closely related field.
2. Requires one (1)-year professional experience in rehabilitation instruction and counseling such as could be gained from completion of an agency-sponsored training program.

Preferred Qualifications

1. One (1) year of professional experience assessing individual needs and developing and implementing a plan of services outlining individualized short- and long-range goals of personal and home management and independent living for individuals who are visually impaired, blind, or DeafBlind.
2. One (1) year of professional experience working with federal statutes related to rehabilitation programs such as the Rehabilitation Act and amendments, the Social Security Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Workforce Innovative Opportunities Act (WIOA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act, etc.
3. One (1) year of professional experience researching and remaining up to date on trends including accessibility, teaching techniques and assistive technology.
4. One (1) year of professional experience establishing trusting relationships and communicating clearly and effectively with customers, family members, coworkers, providers, and employers.
5. One (1) year of professional experience researching and adopting an effective course of action as it relates to services, barriers and concerns for individuals who are visually impaired, blind, or DeafBlind to reach their potential.
6. One (1) year of professional experience utilizing, reading, and writing braille.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires ability to travel to provide services in the customer’s home, residential setting or group setting as well as in the build environment
2. Requires ability to physically access the customer’s home environment and/or work environment and use public transportation.

*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency:

The Illinois Department of Human Services serves families in need across Illinois. Our mission is providing equitable access to social services, supports, programs and resources to enhance the lives of all who we serve. We are committed to the core values of Human Dignity, Equity, Community, Urgency, Transparency and Kindness.

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)

 * Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)

• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx