Career Specialist

Job Responsibilities

The mission of the SC Commission for the Blind (SCCB), established in 1966, is to provide quality individualized vocational rehabilitation services, independent living services, and prevention-of-blindness services to South Carolinians who are blind or have low vision to competitive employment and social and economic independence. Our goal is to become a national model vocational rehabilitation agency for people who are blind or have low vision, demonstrating quality services, accountability, innovation, effectiveness and efficiency.

Do you want a career doing meaningful work that has a positive impact on people’s lives? Have you thought about a career in state government but weren’t sure how or where to begin? The SCCB is looking for hard working passionate individuals such as you! Every SCCB employee is important and a career with the SCCB will give you the opportunity to grow professionally and personally as you play a crucial role in the delivery of services to South Carolinians with visual impairments.

Within the SCCB the Career Specialists provide career preparedness, workforce preparation, and employment readiness services to individuals who are blind or have low vision towards competitive integrated employment. Coordinates and provides business services to employers in assigned region, following federal and state guidance as part of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Serves as a connector between employers and career ready consumers for employment opportunities.

The SCCB is currently recruiting for three Career Specialists. One in each of the following areas: Columbia, Greenville, and Charleston regions of South Carolina. Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide career development services to individuals who are blind or have low vision. Conduct employment readiness activities, workforce preparation, and career preparedness instruction. Deliver individual and group instruction related to workplace readiness, interviewing, resume development, job search strategies, and professional skills.

• Develop and coordinate employer partnerships, workforce development activities, and business services. At a minimum, participate in Integrated Business Services Team (IBST) meetings and initiatives. Conduct employer outreach, business needs assessments, disability employment education, disability etiquette training, and Work-Based Learning Experience (WBLE) development. Provide employers with information regarding workforce resources, available hiring incentives, Federal Bonding, workplace accommodations, accessibility resources, and employment of individuals who are blind or have low vision.

• Develop WBLE, career fairs, and other applicable workforce experiences. Using employer relationships, leveraging the single point of contact approach through IBST’s, and/or other appropriate forms of professional contacts, connect the consumer to employment opportunities that align with their vocational goal.

• Document consumer services in the agency case management system. Document business services to include at a minimum, employment activities, employer contacts, WBLE’s, and related in the business services activity log. Collaborate with consumer services for consumer updates and the provision of labor market information, through participation in staff meetings.

• Perform other related duties, committee assignments, special projects, administrative responsibilities, emergency response activities, and other duties as assigned.

Frequent in-state travel is required.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

State: A bachelor's degree and experience in recruitment, selection, interviewing, sales, workforce development, or a related field.
Agency: Bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Human Services, Workforce Development, Business Administration, Education, Psychology, Social Work, Marketing, Communications, or another closely related field.

Must be able to travel throughout South Carolina. Must be able to operate computers, mobile devices, and standard office equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in vocational rehabilitation, workforce development, career counseling, employment services, recruiting, human resources, business development, education, or a related field.
• Experience working with individuals who are blind or have low vision.
• Knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
• Experience developing employer partnerships.
• Experience coordinating Work-Based Learning Experiences (WBLE).
• Experience delivering workshops, presentations, or classroom instruction.

Additional Comments

The SCCB is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including, but not limited to, lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.

The SCCB offers an exceptional benefits package for full time (FTE) employees:

• Health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance for employees, spouses, and children,
• 15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year*,
• 15 days of sick leave per year,
• 13 paid holidays,
• Paid Parental Leave,
• Relocation reimbursement**,
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs, and
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

• Employees holding FTE status earn additional annual leave the longer they remain employed with the state.

**Eligible new hires from out-of-state may receive up to $5,000 in reimbursements for certain expenses, pursuant to Section 8-11-135 of the South Carolina Code of Laws.

A copy of your transcript may be uploaded as an attachment to the application. Upon hiring, candidates must submit official college transcript(s) or diploma(s) for degree(s) obtained. Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.