Summary

This Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist position is located at the Gulf Coast Blind Rehabilitation Center (GCBRC) and provides supervision and subject matter expertise for the provision of blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• Education: The individual must have earned: (a) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation - closely related program in rehabilitation - special education for the visually impaired - family and consumer science education - or technology and industrial arts education
• OR - (b) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) above) that included - or was supplemented by - at least one of the following: At least 30 semester hours of directly related - upper level undergraduate courses (e.g. - at least 200-course level or higher - or as identified by the college or university)
• One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 - 18 semester hours)
• A certificate from an accredited college or university in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility - vision rehabilitation therapy - assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals - or low vision therapy and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation - either included in the degree or post-degree
• Foreign Graduates must have proof of a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent - as verified through an independent credential evaluation company) - with a specialization in blind rehabilitation
• Certification: Required at the GS-11 grade level and above
• 1
• Applicants must possess at least one active - current - full and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment
• Certification must be granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) - or another equivalent - closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation
• 2
• BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: (a) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®)
• (b) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®)
• (c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®)
• (d) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®)
• May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria)
• Grade Determinations: Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist GS-12 (1) Experience
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements - completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level
• (2) Certification
• BRS must meet the certification requirements listed above
• (3) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Ability to plan - direct - mentor - and distribute work assignments to volunteers - assistants - interns - and/or Blind Rehabilitation Specialists at lower grade levels
• (b) Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant - supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating Veterans in specialty or program areas
• (c) Ability to coordinate - motivate - and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work - setting priorities - and delegating tasks and responsibilities
• (d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor
• (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with Veterans - employees - other team leaders - managers - and other stakeholders
• (f) Ability to identify team group dynamics - objectively observe - and modify behaviors
• (g) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis - develop short term and long-range goals - and plan for future utilization of resources
• (h) Skill in developing - planning - and administering complex treatment programs
• Preferred Experience: Experience as a Certified Low Vision Therapist and a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
• Has mentored interns is a bonus
• Solid customer service skills and ability to work in groups and with others effectively is important
• Experience with supervision of others is a plus
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple projects at the same time is essential
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
• May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
• Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
• the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
• However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations
• For positions requiring examinations - information is gleaned from the OF 178 - as submitted with the recruitment packet.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge of and skill in applying concepts - principles - and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation to include assessment - treatment and follow-up for the purpose of overseeing the work of Blind Rehabilitation Specialists who are at the GS-9 to GS-11 performance level
• Duties of the Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist include - but are not limited to: Demonstrates knowledge of in Low Vision - Orientation and Mobility - Living Skills - Manual Skills - and Computer Access Training
• Demonstrates knowledge of Low Vision functional assessments and training techniques and skills and incorporate them into the treatment program of each patient - as appropriate
• Demonstrates knowledge of - and the ability to properly administer - assessments and understand the use in providing comprehensive instruction and training
• Assists other section supervisors in scheduling the Veteran's treatment program
• Manages the weekly/daily staff teaching schedule and Veteran assignments for the team or department
• Schedules regular treatment team and departmental meetings for sharing of information
• Works with Interdisciplinary team composition - to develop an individualized comprehensive treatment plan of care for residents seeking rehabilitation services
• Participates in the family training program to promote the continued personal development of the patient after returning to the home environment
• Develops in-service education for blind individuals/family in order that they may gain a greater understanding of the complexities of blindness and the rehabilitation process and for the family that they may gain a greater understanding of the Veteran's visual impairment
• Assigns departmental duties and sets priorities and schedules for the completion of these duties
• Resolves instructor problems or complaints - advises - counsels - and instructs employees on work and administrative matters
• Ensures that staff members submit required progress notes - reports - and summaries in a timely fashion
• Conducts audits of progress notes and final reports for completeness and accuracy
• Oversees the internship training of university trainees assigned to their team
• and is responsible for orienting them to GCBRC
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 07:30 am to 4:00pm
• (subject to changed based on the needs of the service) Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not Authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Available - per supervisor discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:520-01301-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized