05/31/2013 44260

BLINDNESS AND VISUAL SERVICES DISTRICT MANAGER

DEFINITION: This is administrative and managerial work providing services to the blind and visually impaired.

An employee in this job plans, organizes, and directs a Department of Labor and Industry district office for blindness and visual services providing rehabilitative and preventive services in assigned counties of the state to clients who are blind or visually impaired. Work involves directing the implementation and coordination of the vocational rehabilitation, business enterprises, casework, orientation and mobility, rehabilitation teaching, and prevention of blindness programs through interpretation and implementation of departmental programs, policies, and procedures governing the assigned areas of responsibility. Work includes initiating and maintaining considerable community agency contacts and coordinating program services for the blind or visually impaired with available and potential community resources. Supervision is exercised over a large staff of professional, technical, and clerical personnel. Work is performed under the general direction of an administrative supervisor and is reviewed for conformance to departmental policies and procedures through reports, conferences and an evaluation of results.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, organizes, and directs the continuing operation of a district office providing rehabilitative and preventive services in assigned counties in the state to the blind or visually impaired.

Directs, implements, and coordinates the vocational rehabilitation, business enterprises, casework, orientation and mobility, rehabilitation teaching, and prevention of blindness programs.

Interprets federal and departmental policies and procedures governing these programs and participates in the development of agency policy and procedures.

Assesses the demographic makeup and service needs for client services in each of the assigned counties.

Represents the agency in contacts with individuals, human services agencies, and other community organizations.

Coordinates programs for the blind or visually impaired with available and potential community resources.

Approves casework service authorizations and authorizations for encumbrances for office supplies and equipment.

Assumes responsibility for the approval of vocational rehabilitation plans, authorizations, encumbrances, and other documents in the vocational rehabilitation program.

Conducts administrative reviews for agency clients who are dissatisfied with program services provided, or who have been denied or terminated from service delivery.

Investigates or ensures investigation of circumstances in order to dispose of appeals or to recommend disposition actions.

Develops and promotes facilities and opportunities for rehabilitative services.

Negotiates blue back contracts with vendors of service and oversees the negotiation for and installation of sites in the business enterprises program.

Directs orientation and in-service training programs for professional, technical, and clerical staff.

Prepares or directs the preparation of reports on the status and progress of the district program.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates’ work consistent with organizational and operational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of social and human services.

Knowledge of the laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines that affect the development and implementation of social and human services.

Knowledge of the social problems of individuals who are eligible for social and human services.

Knowledge of support services provided to persons who are eligible for social and human services.

Knowledge of the resources and services available to persons with physical or mental disabilities.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Four years of professional social or human services experience that includes two years of professional experience working in programs that serve persons with disabilities and that includes or is supplemented by one year of professional supervisory or consultative social or human services experience, and a bachelor’s degree;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes two years of professional experience working in programs that serve persons with disabilities and that includes or is supplemented by one year of professional supervisory or consultative social or human services experience.