DHS PROGRAM DIRECTOR 3 - 74704

Executive Service

This is a hybrid position

For more information, visit the link below:
https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/human-services/documents/HRC0017764_DHS_Prog_Dir3_BlindServ_Davidson_21626.pdf

Background Check:

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Who we are and what we do:

DHS MISSION: Strengthen Tennessee by Strengthening Tennesseans DHS VISION: To revolutionize the customer experience through innovation and a seamless network of services DHS VALUES: High Performance Collaboration Continuous Improvement A Shared Vision Customer-Centered Solutions

Job Overview:

The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), Division of Rehabilitation Services is seeking a dedicated visionary leader to serve as a Director for the Blind Division within the Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) program. Authorized and governed by the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the program `s focus is to provide employment related services for individuals with disabilities consistent with their strengths, priorities, and resources with the goal of competitive, integrated employment, including self-employment opportunities, through a customer centered approach to contributing to Tennessees workforce. Under the general supervision of the VR Director, the Director for the Blind Division serves as the statewide leader and face of the VR programs focus on meeting the individualized employment objectives of jobseekers who are blind or have low vision, providing strategic vision, public education, programmatic expertise, state and federal compliance of employment related regulations while maintaining a high level of accountability.

The Director for the Blind Division is responsible for the planning, organizing, directing of day-to-day administration of the programs employment related services for jobseekers who are blind or have low vision in collaboration with the Director of the VR program, provides leadership for an interdisciplinary team of professional and support staff statewide including self-employment through the Tennessee Business Enterprise (TBE) and independent living programs serving those who are blind or have low vision and their families. Additionally, as a leader of employment services for individuals who are blind or have low vision the Director often attends or leads both high-level strategic meetings with statewide leaders and advocates for smaller community groups to provide education and serve as the voice for jobseekers who are blind or have low vision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and guidance to all staff providing employment related services to jobseekers who are blind or have low vision, to include evaluation of, and provide oversight for, employment, self-employment and independent living services performance, structure, and staffing to achieve program employment goals.
• Assist in oversight of the development and implementation of statewide policies and procedures necessary to support the administration of employment related programs in accordance with federal, state and other relevant policies, procedures, regulations and laws.
• Support the design and development of evaluation tools that regularly monitor program performance and align with the common performance measures in accordance with federal, state and other relevant policies, procedures, regulations and laws in support of employment objectives of the programs customers.
• Establish, maintain, and strengthen relationships with state and relevant community agencies and partners that support program objectives for employment, self-employment and independent living services. In coordination with appropriate departmental leadership, monitor all programs expenditures and assure timely and accurate completion and submission of all fiscal and programmatic reports.
• Maintain current knowledge of all relevant state and federal laws, rules, and regulations to assure compliant administration of programs within the Directors responsibility specifically as they related to best practices for individuals who are blind or have low vision.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships and communication with advocacy organizations, the blind and low vision community and other stakeholders and represent the department and program to a variety of audiences across the state in the advancement of programs that serve employment of those who are blind or have low vision and their families.
• Develop and implement innovative education and outreach plans to increase awareness of programs and services that target potential customers, geographic locations and businesses tailored to the needs of individuals with low and no vision based on labor market data.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of full-time professional work in one of the following: social/human services, education, and/or social services grant coordination.

Preferred Skills

• Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling OR closely related Human Services field.
• Certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor, CRC.
• Certified Vision Specialist Demonstrated knowledge of policies, advocacy or support of specialized programs and services that support the employment and independence of individuals who are blind or have low vision.
• Experience supervising and/or managing a public sector program that serves the employment of individuals who are blind or have low vision (state or federal) with a full & wide- ranging knowledge of related statues, rules and regulations

Pursuant to the State of Tennessee's Workplace Discrimination and Harassment policy, the State is firmly committed to the principle of fair and equal employment opportunities for its citizens and strives to protect the rights and opportunities of all people to seek, obtain, and hold employment without being subjected to illegal discrimination and harassment in the workplace. It is the State's policy to provide an environment free of discrimination and harassment of an individual because of that person's race, color, national origin, age (40 and over), sex, pregnancy, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status or any other category protected by state and/or federal civil rights laws.