Orientation and Training Center Manager
(WMS BAND 02)
This recruitment will be used to fill one position in South Seattle, WA.
Standard business hours are Monday – Friday 8 am - 5 pm. Work is done in an office environment. Ability to telework dependent upon supervisory approval.
**Contact Information: 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. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan via email
[email protected].
DSB Relocation Allotment: DSB offers, upon approval, a relocation bonus and allotment for those staff relocating and needing to make the move to, or across the beautiful state of Washington to join our team.
Who We Are:
Washington State Department of Services for the Blind is “working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces.” DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation program assists individuals with visual disabilities achieve gainful employment and economic vitality through integration into the nation’s workforce, while assisting businesses with accessibility training, consultation, recruitment, and retention of qualified employees. Together, these services lead to the greater employment of qualified Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision individuals and more accessible and diverse businesses.
DSB is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness - qualifying employer.
About this Opportunity
The goal of DSB's Vocational Rehabilitation program is to assist in the stable employment and skills development of Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision agency customers. The Orientation and Training Center (OTC) contributes to the agency mission by providing intensive training and other experiences that empower students to increase their self-awareness, self-advocacy, alternative skills of Blindness, and employability to their maximum potential. The OTC accomplishes these goals through combinations of formal training in a classroom setting and a variety of community-based activities.
This position provides leadership for the Orientation and Training Center to:
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Manage, grow and streamline residential program services to promote highest quality adaptive skills training and adjustment to blindness activities which provide agency customers a strong foundation for their job-readiness and vocational goals
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Educate and incorporate the Agency cultural values within teams
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Emphasize and encourage vocational context for all multidisciplinary team staff roles
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Establish, review and revise agency and program procedure
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Work to ensure staff continuously review and refine understanding of the subtle contexts of working in the field of disability
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Fill all staff vacancies in accordance with Collective Bargaining Agreement, state HR requirements, needs of agency and local team, and agency values for diversity/disability representation among the workforce
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Communicate staff performance expectations and conduct performance reviews and evaluations
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Resolve and mediate conflict situations
The focus of this position is to lead the OTC into alignment with the agency's culture, work and processes, and to assist the agency, staff and customers in achieving expected outcomes. This position is responsible for managing the programs and all customer activity performed by the agency in the Orientation and Training Center for residential and commuting students, located in the Seattle area.
This position is responsible for a multi-disciplinary team of nine staff members and has an annual budget of over $1 million. The OTC annually provides assessment, adjustment to blindness, self-advocacy, adaptive skills of living and vocational training services to 60-100 Washington State residents who are Blind, Deaf Blind and Low Vision to gain competitive, integrated employment.
To learn the full expectations and responsibilities of this position, email the recruiter: Rachel Vaughan @
[email protected] and request the full job description.
Required Qualifications
To meet qualifications of this position, applicants must have a total of six (6) years of qualifying experience in.
[OPTION 1]
Six (6) years' experience in Public Administration and/or developing and managing adult educational training programs
AND
Expert knowledge of current rehabilitation teaching practices AND possess the competencies listed below.
[OPTION 2]
Bachelor's degree in Vocational Rehabilitation, Counseling, Public or Business Administration, Adult Education, or related field required
AND
Two (2) years' experience in public administration and/or developing and managing adult educational training programs
In addition to qualifying with one of the above options, applicants must possess the following competencies:
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Leadership and Staff Development: Ability to lead, coach, and develop professional staff ability to set clear performance expectations
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Program and Operational Management: Ability to plan, organize, and manage daily program operations
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Regulatory and Policy Competence: Ability to interpret and apply federal and state vocational rehabilitation regulations, including WIOA, RSA guidance, ADA, and WAC 67-25
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Decision-Making and Judgment: Ability to make timely and sound decisions using data, precedent, and professional judgment; ability to navigate somewhat unfamiliar or evolving circumstances
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Financial and Resource Stewardship: Ability to manage program budgets, procurement, and contracts within state and agency policies
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Performance Management and Accountability: Ability to conduct evaluations, document performance concerns, and take corrective action consistent with HR rules and collective bargaining agreements
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Data Literacy and Analytical Thinking: Ability to use data systems, reports, and trend analysis to evaluate program performance
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Communication and Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to communicate expectations, policy guidance, program updates, and performance information clearly
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Change Management and Process Improvement: Ability to lead teams through change; ability to implement new initiatives and improvement projects
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Confidentiality and Professionalism: Maintains the highest level of confidentiality when handling sensitive employee information; demonstrates professionalism in all interactions
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Technical Skills: proficiency in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and other standard office tools
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Willingness to Learn: Must have a desire to learn about the specialized needs of and/or resources available to individuals who are blind, deaf blind, or low vision and who also may have other disabilities
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Professional Growth and Service Mindset: The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others
Preferred/Desired Education, Experience, and Competencies:-
Masters' degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Rehabilitation Teaching, Public or Business Administration, Adult Education, or a related field
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Work experience with a range of people with disabilities with experience in:
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Job readiness/vocational training
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Adaptive technologies of blindness and low vision
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Work within a public Vocational Rehabilitation program
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English as a Second Language (ESL) training
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Managing distance learning programs
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Curriculum development and course scheduling
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Supervisory experience
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Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation laws, regulations, and practices (WIOA, RSA guidance, ADA, WAC 67-25)
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Experience working in blindness services or disability-focused programs
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Experience developing or delivering training to staff, partners, or customers
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Experience managing contracts or vendor relationships
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Experience with conflict resolution, mediation, or collaborative problem-solving in a supervisory context
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Experience representing an agency or program in external partnerships or stakeholder settings
Special Requirements/Conditions of Employment
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Must pass a criminal justice records check
How to Apply:
Interested? We would love to hear from you! Click “Apply” at the top of this page to start your application. You can save the application and come back to it, if needed. Be sure to complete the application fully to include a full work history and responses to the supplemental questions.
Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:
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A letter of interest, describing how you meet the qualifications for this position as outlined in the job posting
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A current resume, detailing experience, and education; and
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A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)
Do not attach any documents that include photos or private information (social security number, year of birth, etc.).
Please Note: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify the information provided. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the “duties summary” section of the online application. Please do not refer to the resume for details, or your application may be disqualified.
Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Services for the Blind, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Opportunity for All:
The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities 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.
