Rehabilitation Teacher

About the role

Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired is seeking a Rehabilitation Teacher for the Independent Living Older Blind Program. This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Human Services - Service to the Blind & Visually Impaired.

Responsibilities

• Assess how vision loss affects daily life
• Develop individualized training plans
• Teach practical skills that help people remain safe, confident, and independent
• Manage schedules around clients' needs, travel distances, and service priorities within a standard workweek
• Work in an office, consumers’ homes, and other community settings
• Travel throughout Aberdeen and the north-central counties of South Dakota approximately two to three days per week, with occasional overnight travel based on territory size, consumer needs, caseload demands, training, and professional development opportunities
• Be assigned a state vehicle for official travel
• Work in various environmental conditions including limited climate control, household clutter, pets, smoke, odors, uneven surfaces, and other potential accessibility or safety concerns
• Lift and carry up to 25 pounds, including low-vision devices and training equipment
• Demonstrate low vision aids and adaptive equipment, which may involve frequent use of your hands and arms, reaching, bending, stooping, and moving equipment during consumer instruction

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in human services, education, social work, nursing, rehabilitation, or a related field preferred
• Equivalent education and direct-service experience may be considered
• Experience teaching or supporting older adults or people with disabilities
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with diverse individuals and teams
• Ability to assess functional strengths and barriers and translate them into practical, person-centered goals
• Patience, empathy, and a genuine passion for working with individuals with disabilities
• Strong written communication and accurate case documentation
• Independent judgment, critical thinking, and confidence making field-based decisions
• Exceptional attention to detail, prioritization, self-direction, and consistent follow-through in managing a schedule, caseload, travel, and deadlines
• Ability to build trust and maintain professional relationships with individuals, families, and community partners
• Comfort navigating difficult conversations with empathy, honesty, and respect
• High ethical standards, confidentiality, culturally responsive practice, and understanding of mandatory reporting responsibilities

Skills

• Principles of disability, independence, informed choice, dignity, self-determination, and person-centered services
• Adult learning, interviewing, counseling, and motivational techniques
• Service planning and methods for measuring progress
• Community resources available to older adults and people with disabilities, including health care, transportation, housing, and long-term services and supports
• Social, psychological, and practical effects of significant disability, particularly for older adults living in rural communities

Benefits

• 15 days/120 Hours of Vacation Leave
• 14 days/112 Hours of Sick Leave
• 11 Paid Holidays
• Employee health insurance includes a $0 premium plan for employee-only coverage
• Flexible Benefits include Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Critical Illness and more
• Paid Parental & Family Medical Leave
• 6% Fully Matched Retirement Plan
• Reduced Tuition for In-State Colleges/Universities
• Employee Wellness Programs
• Continued Education/Training Opportunities

Qualifications

• To be considered, please attach your resume and cover letter
• This position is eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08
• To be considered, please submit the National Career Readiness Certificate with your application if applicable

Additional Requirements

• The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees
• All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9
• The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire
• The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits