Community Accessibility Specialist

**Agency**

Dept of Health and Human Services

**Division**

Deaf and Hard of Hearing

**Job Classification Title**

Casework Associate II (S)

**Position Number**

60043237

**Grade**

NC06

**About Us**

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence.

**Description of Work**

The Community Accessibility Specialist is a crucial advocate for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind North Carolinians in need of access to government agencies, first responders, service providers, businesses, transportation (buses, airport), and public venues. In this role, the Community Accessibility Specialist train, advise, educate, and consult with agencies and service providers on providing communication accessible for individuals with hearing loss (and combined vision and hearing loss). The specialist may provide recommendations and resources to improve communication access for Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind in different settings. The role of Community Accessibility Specialist is to set up assistive technology at DSDHH events or advise on appropriate assistive technology for both consumers and service providers.

Additionally, the role is to build capacity-building to ensure that communication is accessible to consumers who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind in different settings. Community Accessibility Specialist will conduct report writing, articles, and blurbs. Will participate in networking at meetings/workshops/conferences with professionals. The Community Accessibility Specialist collaborates on events with agencies, organizations, and facilities for Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind community members. The Community Accessibility Specialist will train and consult on topics including but not limited to language, communication modalities & technologies, cultural norms, and communication barriers & solutions for Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind consumers.

Please also see a brief summary of duties and responsibilities for the Community Accessibility Specialist below:

- Training on accessibility topics

- Consultation for agencies, service providers, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing/DeafBlind consumers on improving communication accessibility and capacity-building

- Public outreach on resources, information, and events on communication accessibility

- Developing and implementing events and programs

- Providing technical assistance on equipment such as assistive technology and Weather Alert Radio (WAR) equipment

- Administrative tasks

**Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences**

Salary Range: $35,596 - $62,294

Recruitment Range: $35,596 - $50,000

_Candidates now meet the minimum qualifications of a position if they meet the minimum education and experience listed on the vacancy announcement._

_The Knowledge Skills and Abilities/ Management Preferences are not required. Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred._

* Skilled in public presentation and problem solving
* Ability to work and collaborate with local and county agencies and service providers in 17 counties to ensure communication access for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind consumers
* Experiences with cultural, communication tools and technologies used by Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind
* Basic knowledge of federal and state laws, programs, and services relating to ADA
* Basic computer skills such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel

**This position will close at 11:59 p.m. the night before the end date.**

**The Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing**works to ensure that all Deaf, Hard of Hearing, or DeafBlind North Carolinians have the ability to communicate their needs and to receive information easily and effectively in all aspects of their lives, especially their health and well-being.

**Compensation & Benefits:**

The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits. Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis). Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave. In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

Visit website for[State Benefits](https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits)

**Supplemental and Contact Information**

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that embraces an Employment First philosophy, which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job. For more information about DHHS:[https://www.ncdhhs.gov/](https://www.ncdhhs.gov/).

DHHS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

In accordance with the Governor’s [Executive Order 303](https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgovernor.nc.gov%2Fexecutive-order-no-303%2Fopen&data=05%7C02%7Csamantha.costa%40commerce.nc.gov%7C62856c4dc3364b9449f608dc5b2499a8%7C7a7681dcb9d0449a85c3ecc26cd7ed19%7C0%7C0%7C638485459976214045%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=QMPRMksyCzARBEP8pjuvnhayVBx9Y4Lqv2x7mTq6S%2B4%3D&reserved=0), our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified.

Application Process

**Be sure to complete the application in its entirety.**_Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application._

* Information should be provided in the appropriate areas, to include the following: Education, including high school and all degrees obtained, Work Experience, and Certificates & Licenses. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information.
* Answers to Supplemental Questions are not a substitute for providing all relevant information within the body of your application. To receive credit for the supplemental questions, you must provide supporting information within the "Work Experience" section of the application to support your answers.
* Applicants may be subject to a criminal background check. All candidates selected for positions considered "Positions of Trust"will be subject to a criminal background check.
* Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account. Upon the closing date, applications are "Under Review" and will be screened by Human Resources for qualified applicants. The hiring process may take several weeks.
* Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions. Transcripts and degree evaluations may be uploaded with your application.The State of North Carolina/Office of State Human Resources uses the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as a referral resource for applicants who need to have their credentials certified as equivalent.
* For a list of organizations that perform this specialized service, please visit the NACES membership website at [https://www.naces.org/members](https://www.naces.org/members).

Degree/College Credit Verification

Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions._Transcripts, degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application._

Veterans’ and National Guard Preference

* Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form(Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
* Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach an NGB 23A (RPAS), along with the state application, if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.
* Applicants who are former members of either the NC Army National Guard or the NC Air National Guard, with honorable discharge and six years of creditable service, must attach a copy of the DD 256 or NGB 22, along with the state application.

ADA Accommodations

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), DHHS is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, DHHS will ensure that people with disabilities, or known limitations covered by the PWFA, are provided with reasonable accommodation. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the person indicated below.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

If there are any questions about this posting, please contact Talent Acquisition at[[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])._**Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application.**_

**Minimum Education and Experience**

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor's degree in a field relative to the program from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of directly related work experience with the client population; or Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three years of experience in a related programmatic area providing experience in the techniques of casework, group work, or community organization; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

**EEO Statement**

T he State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

**Recruiter:**

Edward Christopher Raube

**Email:**

[email protected]
URL: https://nc.wd108.myworkdayjobs.com/NC_Careers/job/Wake-County-NC/Community-Accessibility-Specialist_JR-110800