Youth Services Specialist (Program Specialist 3)



Youth Services Specialist (Program Specialist 3)

Salary

$4,286.00 - $5,630.00 Monthly

Location

Clark County – Vancouver, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2022-DSB-002

Department

Dept. of Services for the Blind

Opening Date

01/12/2022

Closing Date

2/2/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

Description


Who we are:
The goal of DSB’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services is to assist in the stable employment of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision clients. The Youth Services Specialist (YSS) works as a member of a multi-disciplinary work team to provide generalized career exploration and job readiness services to blind and visually impaired youth. The YSS demonstrates superior communication and case management skills, along with the ability to successfully facilitate the complex and specialized rehabilitation needs presented by a caseload of Blind, Deaf Blind, and Low Vision clients.

What you will be doing:
As the YSS, you will demonstrate superior communication and case management skills, along with the ability to successfully facilitate the complex and specialized rehabilitation needs presented by a caseload of Blind, Deaf Blind, and Low Vision clients.  You will work to coordinate and provide comprehensive pre-employment transition career exploration services to blind and visually impaired youth. You will develop and coordinate activities and workshops that provide career experience, job readiness, self-advocacy, workplace skills and post-secondary academic preparation counseling. You will work collaboratively with families, educational and vocational partners to expand work experience opportunities for youth in their home areas year-round. This position assesses the needs of youth participants and develops specialized services and training unique to the program. You will act as a regional resource providing technical assistance and consultation to program participants, staff and partners.

This position primarily serves customers within the South Region to include Clark, Wahkiakum, Cowlitz, Lewis, Klickitat, Pacific and Skamania counties.

Why you would want this job:
In working with DSB, you'll be a part of an agency that is viewed as a national leader in promoting the skills and abilities of people who are blind or have low vision.  
  
If you are passionate about developing our youth by providing job readiness, soft skills, and expanding work experience opportunities, we encourage you to apply!

Duties


Some of what you will enjoy doing includes:

  • Conduct extensive community outreach to individuals and families to enhance and expand services to blind and visually impaired youth statewide
  • Collaborate with schools and provide consultation to staff regarding youth services
  • Identify and develop external resources to provide group workshops and trainings 
  • Coordinate with other service providers to facilitate resource information and support to families. 
  • Attend school IEP meetings as needed to help family and youth understand the role of public education in service provision
  • Partner with consumer groups to provide peer mentorship/advocacy and training to youth
  • Provide consultation services to families of youth 
  • Provide participant and families with information and referral to community resources
  • Counsel and guide participant and families throughout the rehabilitation process with respect to adjustment to blindness and issues related to secondary disabilities
  • Document experiences gained and Pre-ETS services provided for each student
  • Understand and consistently act from agency mission and values in interactions with internal and external customers
  • Incorporate principles of participant "Informed Choice" in provision of all participant services
  • Frequently inform participant of their rights for appeal and their responsibilities of active participation in their rehabilitation
  • Demonstrate strong stewardship of public resources by always identifying the best, no cost/low cost and first dollar resources available in providing rehabilitation services
  • Keep Youth Services supervisor advised of any issues or concerns
  • Develop and manage systems for tracking Pre-ETS youth to ensure appropriate referral for VR Services
  • Thorough knowledge and expert use of the case management system

Qualifications


REQUIRED:
A Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, or Vocational Rehabilitation services, or a related field in social services
 
AND

  • Travel may be required for training and occasional overnight travel is expected to meet the demands of this position’s extensive field work and is expected to be higher when we are fully operational
  • Exhibits compassion and empathy; Values diversity, equity and inclusion and serving families and children from all backgrounds
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and collaboration skills 
  • Strong oral, written, and technology skills
Schedule and Travel Requirements:  Monday through Thursday,  7:30 am to 6 pm.  Travel varies depending on needs of the program, some overnight travel, including evenings and weekends take place during peak times.

PREFERRED:
  • Master’s Degree in Special Education or Vocational Rehabilitation, or a related field in social services
  • Experience in education, transition and/or employment of students with disabilities
  • Experience working under the 2014 Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act’s (WIOA) Pre-Employment Transition Services
  • Experience working with families of blind youth
  • Previous experience at Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings
  • Daily living skills training experience
  • Experience or training in program management in state government
  • Ability to effectively collaborate with school districts, Special Education and community agencies working with students with disabilities

Supplemental Information



Please attach the following documents in order to be considered, failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

  • A letter of interest that shows your personality and voice to describe why you are the successful candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position;
  • A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
**You will want to ensure you have a current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information attached or available to provide at the time of interview.
 
NOTE:  
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the “duties summary” section of your application in Careers.wa.gov, completeness of the application material submitted, and the supplemental questionnaire.  A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the application. Responses to the supplemental questionnaire regarding work experience must be reflected in the "duties summary" section of the application.  
 
NOTE:  This position is in a bargaining unit and falls under the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the state of Washington and the Washington Federation of State Employees.  

Conditions of Employment: 
  • COVID Vaccination Requirement: Per Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14 (Download PDF reader), state employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. If you are selected to serve in this position, you will be required to provide proof of vaccination before you are able to begin work.  This position requires in-person attendance with no option for full-time telework.  Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status. No start date will be approved until you have verified your vaccine status.  
Please do not attach your vaccination verification to your application as it will be removed. Details on how to proceed with verification will be provided once a conditional offer has been made.

The State of Washington celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.
 
You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.
 
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
 
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact Angie Anderson at (360) 407-8446 or jobs@des.wa.gov.           

More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note:  If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the
Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.


Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS).  New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs.  For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP).  This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.


As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165. 

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, are entitled to three (3) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 12-31-2022

01
Are you currently employed by the Department of Services for the Blind?
  • Yes
  • No
02
What is your level of education?
  • Some or no college
  • 1 year of college (30 semester or 45 quarter credits)
  • Associate's degree OR 2 years of college (60 semester or 90 quarter credits)
  • 3 years of college (90 semester or 135 quarter credits)
  • Bachelor's degree in Special Education, or Vocational Rehabilitation services, or a related field in social services
  • Bachelor's degree or higher (in an unrelated field)
03
Select ALL that apply to you:
  • Experience in education, transition and/or employment of students with disabilities
  • Experience working under the 2014 Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act's (WIOA) Pre-Employment Transition Services
  • Experience working with families of blind youth
  • Previous experience at Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings
  • Daily living skills training experience
  • Experience or training in program management in state government
  • Ability to effectively collaborate with school districts, Special Education and community agencies working with students with disabilities
  • None of these apply
04
How did you hear about this job posting?
  • Careers.wa.gov
  • College Job Board
  • Friend
  • DES Jobs Email
  • Indeed
  • Job Fair
  • Job Board
  • Linkedin
  • Monster
  • WorkSource
  • Other
05
We would like to know where you heard about this position. If you selected College Job Board, Job Fair, Job Board, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position. If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a".

Required Question

Agency
State of Washington
Address
View Job Posting for Agency Information

View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Phone
View Posting for Agency Contact