Applicants may apply online at http://statejobs.nebraska.gov/
As always, all applicants are encouraged to read the instructions for filling out the application, as incomplete or improperly filled out applications will not be forwarded to the agency for consideration.
Orientation Counselor II (Omaha Office)
STATE OF NEBRASKA CLASS SPECIFICATION
VISUALLY IMPAIRED ORIENTATION COUNSELOR II
EST: 01/80 – REV: 09/11
CLASS CODE: C72612
JOB LOCATION: Omaha, Nebraska - First sixteen weeks of employment will be spent in training, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
SALARY: $ 19.411/HOUR
DESCRIPTION: Under general supervision, provides adjustment counseling and teaching of non-visual
techniques for clients who are experiencing personal and social problems which are associated with the
On-set of blindness.
Tasks performed vary greatly and are based on the needs of the individual client, families or guardians or consulting agency.
This position is located in Omaha, Nebraska and will cover a large area in that district, with emphasis on transition-age blind/visually impaired students. Performs related work as assigned.
EXAMPLES OF WORK: (A position may not be assigned all the duties listed, nor do these examples include all the duties that may be assigned.)
Evaluates the present level of skill possessed by clients to identify attainable goals and areas of needed improvement to adjust to blindness.
Educates clients and the public in understanding the various implications of blindness and how this relates to current attitudes toward blindness.
Builds relationships with public schools to work with transition-age blind/visually impaired students , their parents/guardians, and their teachers.
Help develop after school work experience for blind/visually impaired students.
Builds relationships with businesses and employers in the community.
Empower NCBVI’s clients to obtain their vocational goals.
Prepares and implements instructional programs for clients to address the necessary skills to deal
effectively with blindness such as computer use (email, internet, social media, screen readers or low vision applications), cooking and other homemaking skills, Braille and cane travel.
Prepares periodic reports to evaluate the clients’ progress toward successful rehabilitation and to monitor the overall effectiveness of programs provided.
Assists in the training of new staff members in the different philosophies of working with the blind, the
implications of being blind and teaching daily living skills to the blind. At times, serves as a team leader
for a working group of Orientation Counselors.
Refers clients to additional opportunities provided by the Nebraska Commission for the Blind and
Visually Impaired and other social service agencies.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: (These are needed to perform the work
assigned.)
Knowledge of: teaching and instructing individuals; leadership techniques; blindness philosophies;
various educational modalities as they pertain to the rehabilitation of blind individuals (i.e. Braille, cane
travel, computer use, email, internet, screen readers or low vision applications, etc.); understanding of
problems arising from blindness; counseling techniques used in the rehabilitation of the blind.
Skill in: evaluating each client's needs and the subsequent preparation and implementation of
instructional programs to answer these needs.
Ability to: lead and mentor others in the completion of work; organize and coordinate various ongoing
instructional programs; apply specific counseling techniques according to the situation; effectively
evaluate the results of instructional programs and revise such programs as warranted; establish a strong
working rapport with clients, general public and other service agencies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: (Applicants will be screened for possession of these qualifications.
Applicants who need accommodation in the selection process should request this in advance.)
Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science, social science, counseling, education or related field and three
years experience.
Experience providing counseling and/or instruction to clients with a visual impairment or other disability may be substituted for a Bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.
Master's degree in any of the above mentioned fields or related area and one year experience.
SPECIAL NOTE:
State agencies are responsible to evaluate each of their positions to determine their individual overtime
eligibility status as required by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
