Description

DSHS DVR Program Specialist 4 – Regional Transition Program Specialist

Are you a leader with a passion for assisting students with disabilities by providing options for a seamless transition from their school years into adult life through employment? Join the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) and our hard-working team of professionals. Motivated people committed to providing vocational rehabilitation services to customers with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The Regional Transition Program Specialist is responsible for carrying out the statewide goals of the VR secondary transition program on a regional level. The position advises, guides, and collaborates with regional county partners, CRP/IL providers, educational partners, and other community partners on requirements, practices, trends, and issues necessary to carry out the division’s statewide transition program.

We support a hybrid schedule depending on business needs. DVR may offer relocation assistance for those out-of-state and offered employment with DVR. We will be hiring three positions, one for each region of DSHS, Region 1 (Eastern Washington), Region 2 (Central to North Washington), and Region 3 (Central to South and Western Washington).
Here is a link to the Map of DSHS Regions (Download PDF reader).

King County employees receive 5% premium pay in addition to the advertised salary.
King, Pierce, and Snohomish County employees are eligible to receive a free ORCA card for transportation use.

Some of what you'll do:

• Contact and maintain working relationships with outside organizations and special interest groups, including but not limited to County Coordinators, Schools, Developmental Disabilities Administration, and Community Rehabilitation Programs
• Promote and encourage engagement in developing county School-to-Work programs statewide as outlined in legislative bill SSB 5790
• Develop, design, and plan for community-based collaboration
• Prepare and review budget requests submitted by County staff to support their program development, providing advice and information related to financial status and problem areas to the Statewide Transition Program Manager
• Review requests from counties and local agencies, gather statistical data and conduct studies needed to determine community needs related to the direction of the statewide program
• Oversee the organization’s regional efforts to be uniform per SSB 5790 legislative mandate to be available statewide
• Provide technical assistance and consultative service to customers, counselors, county partners, educational partners, and contractors through the development of program activities
• Conduct or direct tasks to develop, implement, monitor, and analyze program reporting systems

What we're looking for:

• Experience with group facilitation and moderating discussions
• Advanced knowledge of and the ability to explain policies, procedures, and practices required for the delivery of Secondary Transition Services
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective leadership practices and the ability to build teamwork
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and oral presentations
• Demonstrate the ability to use office computer technology, including MS WORD, Outlook, internet browsers, and applications specific to DVR

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

• Specific experience required working directly with County Developmental Disability programs, 18-21 Transition Programs within Special Education, Employment Agencies or Community Rehabilitation Programs, Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), Juvenile Rehabilitation, Tribal Partners, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and experience working with Vocational Rehabilitation
• Experience establishing employment options for students with intellectual/developmental disabilities
• Bachelor’s degree and two years of experience in a related field including planning, policy analysis, coordination, and consultation with a variety of public and private agencies, organizations, and/or levels of government

Year-for-year experience may be counted toward educational requirements with the specific experience working directly with County Developmental Disability programs, 18 to 21 Transition Programs within Special Education, Employment Agencies or Community Rehabilitation Programs, Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), Juvenile Rehabilitation, Tribal Partners, Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and experience working with Vocational Rehabilitation, and experience establishing employment options for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Interested? To apply, simply fill out the application and include your resume and cover letter!

Our Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) mission to Transform Lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency’s mission that you bring an equity, anti-racism, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to create greater access and affirming representation of the communities we serve, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Questions? Please contact grant.grady@dshs.wa.gov and reference 04296

NOTE:
Employees of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Any offer of employment is contingent upon verification of your vaccine status. Please note medical or religious accommodation may be available once an offer of employment is made.

Supplemental Information