Technology instructor

Assistive Technology Instructor Position Overview

Are you an experienced Assistive Technology Instructor eager to make an impact in the lives of individuals with disabilities? We are seeking a knowledgeable professional to join our team and support individuals with disabilities across a statewide coverage area in achieving greater independence and success. In this role, you will provide assistive technology instructional services to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Your responsibilities will include assessing clients' assistive technology needs and delivering training in the use of various tools such as screen readers, screen magnification software, Braille displays, Braille note-takers, and mobile devices with tactile, auditory, or enhanced visual outputs. If you are passionate about using your expertise to help others navigate and thrive with assistive technology, we invite you to apply and make a meaningful difference.

Assessment and training may take place in the participant's home, training site, or workplace. Therefore, significant in-state travel during work hours required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver's license.

Assistive Technology Instructor Duties

• Interviews participants verbally to assess their needs.

• Conducts performance-based assessments to determine the level of participant functioning in specific areas.

• Researches and recommends assistive technology and the level of training required to meet determined goals for independence and accessibility.

• Provides professional instructional services to participants who are blind or visually impaired including assessment, set-up, and training in various assistive technologies.

• Provides training to use assistive technology safely and effectively as well as monitors participant progress.

• Provides technical guidance and oversight related to vehicle modifications, home modifications, and services provided by the AgrAbility program.

• Collaborates with internal agency staff as well as external providers such as job developers, job coaches, caregivers, and employers (as appropriate) to assist the participant in meeting their goals.

A Successful Assistive Technology Instructor Has

• Time management, case management, and prioritization skills.

• An understanding of adult and youth learning styles.

• Experience working effectively with individuals of varying backgrounds and cultures.

• Ability to analyze and assess participant skills, training needs and limitations.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

• Ability to use computer applications to produce timely, clear and readable reports.

• Ability to collaborate with a team.

Classification: Instructional Service Provider

Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired Overview

The Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (BSVI) offers vocational rehabilitation services to Ohioans who are blind or have low vision and want to gain, maintain, or return to meaningful employment or personal independence. Working in partnership with county and state agencies, public facilities, and universities across the state, BSVI programs strive to enable premier career opportunities for individuals who are blind and to be the service provider of choice for our customers.

Pay Information

Starting salary will be step 1, subject to law or union contract requirements. New hires advance to the next step in the range after 6 months and annually thereafter. There are cost of living increases to these rates each year and additional longevity supplements begin after 5 years. The current wage progression for this position is in the table below.

Months of Employment

At Hire

6 months

18 months

30 months

42 months

54 Months

Pay Range

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

1199 11

Hourly

$29.08

$30.43

$31.74

$33.35

$34.96

$36.65

Annual

$60,486.00

$63,294.00

$66,019.00

$69,368.00

$72,717.00

$76,232.00

Location Requirements

Position availability in the following locations:

• 150 OOD Cmplx: 150 East Campus View Boulevard, Columbus, OH 43235
• Athens BSVI/BVR: 86 Columbus Road, Suite 104, Athens, OH 45701
• OOD Portsmouth: 1001 4th Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662
• Zanesville BSVI/BVR: 601 Underwood Street, Suite C, Zanesville, OH 43701

We are increasing our in-office presence to 5 days per week across all OOD locations as space permits. The transition timeline for each office is being determined and more information will be provided by the supervisor before the start date. Employees must reside at a location that allows for reasonable response time to workplace reporting requirements.

Daytime travel within Ohio is required. The selected candidate must provide own transportation or, in order to operate a state vehicle, must have a valid driver’s license.

Applications and Selections

Please ensure your online application and work experience clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered. If you meet the MQs through education, transcripts are required for consideration by attaching directly on the Additional Attachments section of the application (Step 7) or via email to [email protected].

Applicants can check their application status and all vacancy-related email correspondence on “My Jobpage.” On the Careers.Ohio.Gov job search webpage, once signed in the link to My Jobpage is displayed under the TeamOhio logo. Applicants who require technical assistance (e.g., issues logging in or other system-related issues) should contact [email protected].

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the SEIU/1199 Collective Bargaining Agreement. The selection process consists of an online assessment and a remote structured interview. All communications are sent via email. Candidates should make sure their account contains an email address that is checked regularly including checking junk and/or spam.

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

Background Check

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

All final applicants tentatively selected for this position may be required to complete and pass a urinalysis to test for restricted substances as a condition of employment. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana. An applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for any position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

• Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

• Completion of an undergraduate core program in business administration, education, social/human science (e.g., sociology, psychology, counseling, human development) AND 6 months of experience or training in delivery of the instructional service defined in the position description.
• OR, equivalent of education and/or experience per Minimum Class Qualifications noted above.

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT REQUIRED TO REMAIN IN THE CLASSIFICATION AFTER EMPLOYMENT:

For positions with an Assistive Technology focus, incumbent must earn at least one of the following credentials within 12 months of hire:

• Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) from the Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA)
• Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS) from the Academy for Certification of Vocational Rehabilitation & Educational Professionals (ACVREP)
• Occupational therapist with post graduate certification in low vision
• Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) as licensed by Ohio Department of Education

Please Note: Failure to earn and maintain the necessary credentials will result in removal.

Job Skills: Training, Technical Writing, Human Services, Interviewing, Computer Literacy, Vocational Rehabilitation, Consultation, Innovation, Customer Focus, Results Oriented, Time Management

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and is amongst the top-ranked state agencies implementing inclusive and accessible planning and programming into businesses operations and services. We strive to hire, sustain, and promote a workforce that not only embraces this mission but is also reflective of the Ohioans we serve.

If you require an accommodation based on a disability for any step of the selection process, please contact [email protected] so proper arrangements can be made.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.