Health and Wellness Instructor (Program Specialist 3)



Health and Wellness Instructor (Program Specialist 3)

Salary

$4,286.00 - $5,630.00 Monthly

Location

King County - Seattle – Other, WA

Job Type

Full Time - Permanent

Job Number

2022-DSB-008

Department

Dept. of Services for the Blind

Opening Date

03/30/2022

Closing Date

4/13/2022 11:59 PM Pacific

Description

Health and Wellness Instructor
(Program Specialist 3)

**5% Premium Pay will be added to salary above for duty stations in King County.** 

Who we are:
With the Department of Services for the Blind, the Orientation and Training Center (OTC) provides rehabilitative services, specialized instruction and counseling to blind and visually impaired participants enrolled in the program. The OTC serves approximately 60 part-time and full-time students who may commute from local areas or reside at the nearby State leased apartments. Students are assigned to various classes based on the outcome of the assessment and need for specific skills to achieve their rehabilitation goals.  

What you will be doing:
As the Program Specialist 3, you will function as a Health and Wellness Instructor in the OTC. You will work closely with OTC students to develop healthy mental and physical habits to promote a healthy individual.  You will assist in teaching blind persons to make appropriate uses of their remaining senses using orientation patterning, teaching methods, sensory aids, travel devices, travel techniques, and counseling.  You will also instruct students in their career development goals and promoting positive career/secondary education interactions.

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:

  • Comprehensive assessment and adaptive skills instruction:
    • Conducts comprehensive, in-depth assessments of all incoming students referred to the OTC to determine their adjustment to vision loss, current skills, aptitudes, and future health and wellness goals.
    • Identifies physical, emotional, and physiological barriers which may affect students' ability to learn the subject matter. 
    • Plans and implements wellness instruction for OTC participants including:
      • emotional support needs around adjustment to blindness.
      • assisting in student’s problem-solving skill building for possible solutions
      • initiating and/or facilitating communications with external entities in support of the student mental and physical health needs
      • initiating mental health workshops regarding blindness adjustment while working with application processes in the work and/or secondary education environment
    • Provides wellness instruction in a concentrated format for intensive workshops twice yearly. 
  • Careers/Business Engagement Liaison:
    • Develops and implements outside career workshop opportunities.
    • Provides Business Engagement opportunities between the OTC and the Business Engagement group.
    • Identifies and assists student with internship and apprenticeship opportunities.
    • Identifies and assists student with On-The-Job-Training opportunities.
  • Student Advisor and Case Management documentation:
    • Participates in various educational/social/recreational activities in the community designed to promote students' independence, self-confidence, and awareness of their role in society. 
    • Acts as a Student Advisor to designated students in the Orientation and Training Center and functions as the primary staff member for these students to report concerns/problems during their stay in the program; assists students to find solutions to their concerns and issues and coordinates meetings and services as needed
    • Makes case log entries of pertinent information affecting students' progress in the DSB case management system. 

Schedule:
This position will work Monday-Thursday 8:00am - 5:00pm, Friday 8:30am to 5:30pm to accommodate walking students back to apartments.  90% of the instruction takes place in the local community and downtown Seattle. This position participates in community-based activities 1-2 days per every 7 weeks and may work with the students at the residential facility as needed.  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

  • A Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Rehabilitative Services, or related field; AND 
  • Two (2) years of experience in rehabilitation services, mental health services, and/or social services.
  Preferred Requirements:
  • Master's degree in Psychology, Rehabilitation Services, or a related field.
  • Knowledge of and ability to teach strategies and techniques used for orientation and mobility by individuals who are blind or have low vision.
  • Knowledge of low vision, aids, and use of functional vision strategies used by individuals with low vision.
  • Knowledge of adaptive note-taking aids and strategies used by individuals who are blind or have low vision.
  • Knowledge of common eye diseases leading to blindness and its impact on functional vision.
  • Knowledge of major secondary disabilities and their impact on an individual’s functioning and abilities to learn.
  • Knowledge of the basic alternative skills and strategies used by blind and visually impaired people.
  • Knowledge of national and local resources for blind and visually impaired people.
  • Knowledge of federal and state laws affecting services and rights of people with disabilities such as the ADA, the Rehabilitation Act, etc.

Supplemental Information

Please provide 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, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting; 
  • A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and 
  • A current (from the last two years) list of at least three (3) or more professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview). 

Union Inclusion:
This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). 
 
 Condition 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.

Opportunity for All:  
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.
 
Contact Information:
For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Jennifer McWaid at (360) 407-8210 or email jobs@des.wa.gov.

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.     

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
Do you have at least two (2) years of experience working in rehabilitation services, mental health services, and/or social services?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Do you have experience working with the blind or visually impaired adult population?
  • Yes
  • No
04
What is your level of education?
  • Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Rehabilitation Services, or related field
  • Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field
  • Master's degree or higher in Psychology, Rehabilitation Services, or related field
  • Master's degree or higher in an unrelated field
  • None of these apply
05
Please describe any extra certifications or endorsements that would benefit this job listing. If this does not apply, indicate N/A.
06
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
07
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
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View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504
Phone
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