As a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern with the Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services, you will learn to play an important role supporting customers as they adjust to vision loss. This position with our Harrisburg District Office, will cover the following counties: Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and Perry. In our structured training program, you will work directly with individuals of all ages as they learn strategies to navigate daily tasks with greater ease and maintain their independence at home, at work, and in their communities. Take the next step in your career with a team that values public service, practical problem-solving, and supportive collaboration.

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

This internship centers on providing guidance, adaptive techniques, and useful resources to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Success relies on thoughtful, responsive planning and effective communication with customers and community partners. As a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern, you will learn and perform the following duties:

• Assess Customer Needs: Gather information by interviewing customers about their needs, motivations, and goals; reviewing reports; and conferring with other professionals
• Develop Service Plans: Work with customers to develop and coordinate individualized plans that teach coping skills, adaptive techniques, and provide related rehabilitation services
• Teach New Skills: Provide customers with supportive counseling, individual and group experienced-based learning, and supervised practice
• Review Progress: Monitor how customers develop skills and utilize adaptive supports; provide encouragement and adjust plans when needed to support safe and independent daily living
• Train Community Supports: Provide guidance, training, and consultation to community organizations that serve blind and visually impaired individuals
• Keep Accurate Records: Maintain detailed documentation of assignments, notes, plans, and reports as well as referrals and follow-up for other supportive services

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• Work Schedule and Additional Information:
• Full-time employment
• Work hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. This position's work hours are negotiable - 7.5 hour workday and lunch period is 30 minutes (or 60 minutes depending on work hours). This position may be eligible for Alternate Work Schedules (AWS).
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, upon successful completion of probationary period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Salary:Most candidates will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $46,827 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS
Internship Training Requirements:

• Current enrollment in the final year of an accredited college or university bachelor’s or master’s degree or certificate program in rehabilitation teaching of the blind or visually impaired, vision rehabilitation therapy, teacher of the visually impaired, or education with a concentration in visual impairment.

Special Requirement:

• Authorization by the college or university for the student to participate in the commonwealth’s Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern program. Upon entering the internship, the student must be enrolled in the final semester of the appropriate degree or certificate program.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
• Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

eterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

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EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
• your score may be lower than deserved.
• you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.

Job Types: Full-time, Internship

Pay: $46,827.00 per year

Work Location: In person