OIB Service Specialist (El Paso)

WHO WE ARE:
Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. While we are based in Austin on the north lawn of the Texas State Capitol, we have offices statewide. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. This position is located at 401 Franklin Ave., El Paso, TX.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, now or in the future, for this position. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals currently on H-1B, F-1 (OPT/CPT), or H-4 visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

WHO YOU ARE:
The Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) Service Specialist III-VI is hired by and reports to the OIB Manager. Performs complex (journey-level) to highly advanced and/or supervisory (senior-level) social service or case management work. Work involves collecting, preparing, and reviewing cases to facilitate access to medical, educational, social, and other services; and providing intervention and frequent contact with individuals, facilities, and service providers. Works under general to minimal supervision, with limited to extensive latitude for the use of initiative.

YOU WILL BE TRUSTED TO:
- Oversees, teaches and assists other OIB Service Specialists in teaching customers core skills in areas of adjustment to blindness, independent living skills, communication skills, basic travel skills, use of support systems, and quality of living.
- Independently assesses customers’ level of functioning for the purpose of determining eligibility, develops the individuals’ independent living plan, and coordinates other services necessary to achievement of goals.
- Establishes and coordinate business relationships with Center(s) for Independent Living (CILs) and other community resource contacts to ensure customers continue to receive service delivery for goods/services not available through the OIB program.
- Participates in unit administration and program development and develops internal policies and procedures.
- Serves as back-up to Manager for representation on workgroups and other OIB activities.
- Completes, maintains and monitors documentation of case service delivery.
- Provides training and mentoring to other OIB Service Specialists.
- Independently interacts with individuals and community agencies to explain OIB services.
- Participates in planning or leads planning for group skills activities in the region and provide instructions during group skills training for customers.
- Performs related work as directed.

YOU QUALIFY WITH:
OIB Service Specialist III:
- Two years of full-time experience in case management or social services work.
- Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position.

OIB Service Specialist IV
- Three years of full-time experience in case management or social services work.
- Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH:
OIB Service Specialist III: 
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in human services, social science, business, or a related field plus two years of full-time qualifying experience in social and rehabilitative services work; teaching and counseling persons with disabilities; social services; medical eligibility, or entitlement programs.

OIB Service Specialist IV: 
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in human services, social science, business, or a related field plus two years and six months of full-time qualifying experience in social and rehabilitative services work; teaching and counseling persons with disabilities; social services; medical eligibility, or entitlement programs.

For both levels, twelve semester hours of graduate study from an accredited college or university may be substituted for each year of the required qualifying experience; One additional year of full-time qualifying experience may be substituted for each year (30 semester hours) of the required college.

This position involves up to 75% travel in order to provide services to customers in their homes and communities. Method of transportation is the responsibility of employee. Duty may also require the ability to lift/carry 10 pounds.

YOU GAIN: 
- A Family Friendly Certified Workplace
- Competitive salary: $4,083.33 - $7,503.29/month (Depending on experience)
- Defined Retirement Benefit Plan 
- Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts 
- Medical Insurance 
- Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave 
- Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits.

Duty involves up to 75% travel within the state of Texas.

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_SocialServices.pdf 

HOW TO APPLY: 
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, now or in the future, for this position. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals currently on H-1B, F-1 (OPT/CPT), or H-4 visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.