State of Connecticut Executive Branch

Receives executive direction from the Commissioner or other administrative official of a higher grade.

Directs staff of division.

• Directs staff and operations of division including statewide education and social services programs for blind and visually impaired students in public, private and preschool programs, vocational rehabilitation in accordance with federal statutes and regulations and industries;
• Coordinates, plans and manages division activities to ensure compliance with state and federal policy;
• Formulates program goals and objectives;
• Develops or assists in development of related policy;
• Interprets and administers pertinent laws;
• Evaluates staff;
• Prepares or assists in preparation of division budget and administers bureau budget;
• Maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of division who might impact program activities;
• Acts as consultant with respect to these programs and services;
• Develops and implements state plan for federal vocational rehabilitation program for the blind and visually impaired;
• Recommends approval of federal grants for technical assistance, workshop improvement and other activities involving the blind in rehabilitation facilities;
• Serves in a liaison capacity between agency and appropriate state and federal agencies;
• Works to coordinate vocational rehabilitation programs and services across the state with state and local school authorities, community based organizations, advisory councils and consumer groups;
• Advises Commissioner and/or other management staff on significant issues, program developments and operations of rehabilitation services programs for the blind and visually impaired;
• Represents Commissioner on task forces, advisory boards and advocacy groups;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply management principles and practices;
  • relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • philosophy, methods and programs of vocational rehabilitation services;
  • philosophy and methods of education and social work of individuals with visual disabilities and blindness;
• Knowledge of
  • eye diseases and psychological effects of blindness;
  • current research in field of vocational rehabilitation;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills.

A Master’s degree in Rehabilitation or closely related field and ten (10) years of experience in educational or vocational rehabilitation work for individuals with disabilities.

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity in rehabilitation counseling, job placement of individuals with disabilities or disability counseling services.

Certification in Rehabilitation or Special Education may be substituted for two (2) years of the General Experience.

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.