STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Education Consultant 1 (B.E.S.B.) (10 Months)

Hybrid

Recruitment #240312-3185EA-001

Introduction


Unlock a thrilling opportunity with the State of Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services!
Are you passionate about shaping the education of blind and visually impaired children?
Join our team and be a catalyst for positive change! Apply today!

The State of Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability (ADS), Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB), is currently seeking two (2) experienced and qualified individuals for the position of Education Consultant 1 (10 Months). Bring your organizational prowess and collaborative spirit to the forefront as you play a pivotal role in shaping the education of blind and visually impaired children. Read below to learn more about these exciting opportunities!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:
We are hiring for two positions, one position will be located in Cheshire and the other will be located in Middletown. Both positions have the following highlights:
  • Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
  • Work Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
  • Work Environment: Hybrid
  • NOTE: These positions include traveling statewide
WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU:
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • NEW: A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offering
  • State of Connecticut is an eligible Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer, meaning you may be eligible to have qualifying student loans forgiven after 10 years of service.  Click here for more information.
  • Generous paid time off, including 13 paid holidays per calendar year
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees
    DISCOVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
    • Be a part of a comprehensive team of caring professionals
    • Provide support to a division that is passionate about improving the lives of those we serve
    • Assist our clients so they can achieve success
    • Make a difference in the public sector
    • Work together in a collaborative team environment
    MORE ABOUT THE AGENCY:
    ADS offers a myriad of programs and services to assist older adults and people with disabilities. Our programs, policies and practices are designed to: deliver integrated aging and disability services responsive to the needs of Connecticut citizens; provide leadership on aging and disability issues statewide; provide and coordinate aging and disability programs and services in the areas of employment, education, independent living, accessibility and advocacy; advocate for the rights of Connecticut residents with disabilities and older adults; and serve as a resource on aging and disability issues at the state level. 

    The Bureau of Education and Services for the Blind (BESB) is the state's leading bureau for the coordination and provision of services to all Connecticut residents who are legally blind, or have significant visual impairments. These services include training and devices that help people who are blind function in the home and in the community independently; teaching children how to adapt to and learn in an environment - in and outside of school - that is designed for those with sight and; providing services that help people who are blind find work or keep their job after blindness has developed. 

    WHAT SETS US APART - STATE OF CONNECTICUT

    Selection Plan

    FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:
    Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!
    To Apply:
    • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
    • You must specify your qualifications on your application. You will be unable to make revisions once you submit your application for this posting to the JobAps system.
    • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
    • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
    • This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules.
    Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:
    • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
    • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
    • Note: At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
    • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
    • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
    • Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State Employees which is available at www.ct.gov/ethics.
    • For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
    Connect With Us:
    • Due to the large volume of applications received, we are unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process.
    • Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Alyssa Hovanec via email at Alyssa.Hovanec@ct.gov.

    PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

    In the Department of Aging and Disability Services, Board of Education and Services for the Blind on an itinerant basis, provides special instruction in braille and related subjects to visually handicapped students in public schools; does related work as required.

    EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

    • Instructs in the specialized and basic skills of braille reading and writing, typewriting, and may assist with arithmetic, science or art adaptations and any other instructional tasks as assigned; 
    • Plans and arranges for the provision of specialized and appropriate materials and equipment such as braille, recorded and large print textbooks, braille-writers, typewriters, talking book machines required by the individual student; 
    • Acts as interpreter between school and home; 
    • Assists in securing appropriate training other than public school education as needed; 
    • Assists parents with proper school placement; 
    • Arranges for diagnostic evaluations if not available locally through the local districts; 
    • Serves on division committees; 
    • Makes case reports; 
    • Answers correspondence clearly; 
    • Speaks before parent, volunteer and professional groups;
    • Performs related work as required.

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

    • Knowledge of the principles and methods of education of the blind and visually handicapped with emphasis on braille instruction; 
    • Oral and written communication skills;
    • Ability to deal effectively with others.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

    A Bachelor's degree with at least twelve (12) semester hours in courses applicable to the blind or partially-sighted.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

    • Experience teaching assistive technology equipment to students who are blind or visually impaired
    • Experience teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum to students who are blind or visually impaired
    • Experience teaching Braille to students who are blind or visually impaired
    • Experience adapting and modifying curriculum for students who are blind or visually impaired

    SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

    Possession of a certificate in special education in the area of teaching the blind or partially-sighted issued by the State Board of Education.

    Conclusion

    AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

    The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

    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.