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Position Title
Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Living Skills Instructor)
Agency
Veterans Health Administration
Announcement Number
CBSW-12183470-24-TTM Opens in new window
Open Period
Friday, October 27, 2023 to Friday, December 1, 2023
For preview purposes only. To apply, please return to the USAJOBS announcement and click the Apply button.
Eligibilities
1. Do you claim Veterans’ Preference? (limit characters)
Preferences
1. Select the lowest grade you are willing to accept for this position. (limit characters)
2. Which of the following items describes your current or recent (within the last five years) political appointee service?

If you responded yes to any of the items below, you will need to include a SF-50 specifying your prior service.
(limit characters)
Resume Reminder- Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
  • Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible)
  • Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week)
  • Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held
Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume. Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail.

Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications.
(limit characters)
Accuracy of Application Reminder:
By submitting your application, you are certifying, to the best of your knowledge and belief, all the information submitted by you with your application for employment is true, complete, and made in good faith, and that you have truthfully and accurately represented your work experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and education (degrees, accomplishments, etc.). The information you provide as part of your application may be investigated. You are also certifying, and acknowledging, that misrepresenting your experience or education, or providing false or fraudulent information in, or with your application, may affect your eligibility for appointment and/or continued employment. False or fraudulent statements may be punishable by fine or imprisonment (18 U.S.C. 1001).
(limit characters)
Assessment 1
Thank you for your interest in this Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Instructor position with the Federal government. Select the appropriate answer to each of the following questions based on your current level of education and/or experience that demonstrates your ability to perform the duties of this position. When answering the questionnaire, remember that your experience and education are subject to verification by investigation. You may be asked to provide specific examples or documentation of experience or education as proof to support your answers, or you may be required to verify a response by a practical demonstration of your claimed ability to perform a task. This section addresses the basic qualifications for this vacancy announcement. Select "Yes" or "No" to the following question(s). (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
1. I am proficient in written and spoken English.
(limit characters)
2. Education:

Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, closely related program in rehabilitation, special education for the visually impaired, family and consumer science education, or technology and industrial arts education?

OR,

Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined above) that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following:
At least 30 semester hours of directly related, upper level undergraduate courses (e.g., at least 200-course level or higher, or as identified by the college or university).
One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 -18 semester hours).
A certificate from an accredited college or university in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree.

(Transcripts and/or Certification Required)
(limit characters)
In addition to the basic requirements of employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Select "Yes" or "No" to the following question(s). (limit characters)
Select “Yes” or “No” to the following question(s). (limit characters)
3. GS-9 Grade Requirements:

For consideration for appointment at the GS-09 grade-level do you have the following:

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of experience.

OR,

Education. Two full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position. Do you meet the one of the grade requirements mention above?

AND

Does your experience demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities.
  1. Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service.
  2. Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation.
  3. Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor.
  4. Skill in instructing Veterans and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques.
  5. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice.
  6. Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs.
(limit characters)
4. GS-11 Grade Requirements:

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level.

OR,

Education. Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field.

AND

Does your experience demonstrate all the following KSAs:
  1. Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
  2. Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
  3. Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
  4. Skill in instructional methods and learning principles.
  5. Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.
  6. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.
(limit characters)
5. Certification Required at the GS-11 grade level and above:

I possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted certification. To be eligible for appointment, certification must be granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), or another equivalent, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation.
(limit characters)
RESUME REMINDER: Your resume must include the following information for each job listed:
  • Job title Duties (be as detailed as possible) Month & year start/end dates (e.g. June 2007 to April 2008)
  • Full-time or part-time status (include hours worked per week) FT or 40hrs/wk
  • Series and Grade, if applicable, for all Federal positions you have held Please be aware that your answers will be verified against information provided on your resume.
Be sure that your resume clearly supports your responses to all of the questions by addressing your work experience in detail. Recommended: Even though we do not require a specific resume format, your resume must be clear so that we are able to fully evaluate your qualifications. To ensure you receive appropriate consideration, please list the duties you performed under each individual job title. If we are unable to match your experiences with the positions held, you may lose consideration for this vacancy. We cannot make assumptions regarding your qualifications. 

Transcripts: Required with application.
(limit characters)