Salary: $40,286.41 – $48,069.00 Annually
Location : 45 – MADISON COUNTY, MS
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 9808-0331-20230809MD
Department: 0331 – DRS-OFFICE OF VOC REHABILITATION
Opening Date: 08/09/2023
Closing Date: 8/22/2023 11:59 PM Central
Agency Minimum Salary: $40,286.41
Agency Maximum Salary: $48,069.00
About the Agency: The Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services (MDRS) is a state agency dedicated to helping Mississippians with disabilities to live and work independently. MDRS serves through four major programs: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Vocational Rehabilitation for the Blind (VRB), Office of Special Disability Programs (OSDP), and Disability Determination Services (DDS). Services also include support through Assistive Technology, the Office of Business Development and much more. It is the mission of MDRS to provide appropriate and comprehensive services in a timely and effective manner. Programs and services assist individuals with disabilities to gain employment, retain employment, and to live independently. MDRS is always looking for qualified and passionate employees to help fulfill its mission. To inquire about this position, please email careers@mdrs.ms.gov.
About the Position: This position is within the Office of Assistive Technology division of the agency and functions as a Rehabilitation Technologist. The incumbent will be responsible for providing assistive technology services to individuals with disabilities. The employee will be evaluating clients for assistive technology services, including but not limited to, home and/or work site modifications; seating, positioning, and mobility; adaptive computer access; augmentative and alternative communication; low vision and blindness accommodations and vehicle modifications.Examples of work performed in this classification include, but are not limited to, the following:• Evaluates and provides accessibility recommendations to worksites, homes, vehicles, etc.• Applies the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards to home and worksite modifications.• Assesses clients who require assistive technology devices to perform activities related to education, employment, and independent living.• Develops a plan to enable people with disabilities to overcome accessibility problems that have been identified.• Takes measurements, survey homes (inside and outside). Sketches or draws new designs or modifications to existing designs of tools, equipment, furnishings, adaptive technology, etc.• Maintains comprehensive documentation of all casework activities and ensures the confidentiality of all caseload information.• Writes clear and concise evaluation reports on observations and conclusions on each client evaluated; presents results and provides recommendations.• Assists in gathering and maintaining resources for technology related issues.• Makes recommendations regarding the purchase, repair and replacement of assistive technology devices.• Utilizes tools, including but not limited to, tape measure, sketchbook, level, digital camera and computer.• Develops and maintains a working relationship with clients, rehabilitation professionals, medical professionals and other assistive technology vendors.• Knowledgeable of ADA standards and guidelines, construction fundamentals, electrical, plumbing, drafting design, equipment availability, existing and emerging technologies.• Knowledgeable of design and drawing, including computers and AutoCAD.• Research specific products/devices (ADL’s) or designs that would be beneficial to clients.• Learns and applies new or advanced information in the field of adaptive technology. Provides technical assistance and trains clients on proper usage and/or operation.• Prepares specifications and technical drawings.• Assists with in-service training regarding adaptive technology issues to other departmental staff members, other state agencies, and/or local community.• Builds, modifies and provides installation and configuration of adaptive technology. Customize devices for client and evaluation effectiveness.• Maintains effective communications with clients, counselors, and other agency departmental staff members.• Discusses and implements appropriate assistive technology solutions for clients, in consultation with counselors and vendors.• Coordinates service delivery and oversees the installation, configuration and maintenance of approved access technology equipment and software.• Frequent travel is required; hours may include nights depending on the needs of the department and agency.• Performs related or similar duties as required or assigned.
What you’ll need to be Successful: A thorough knowledge of agency’s policies and procedures are required; must possess excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written; must be able to prioritize, plan and provide timely services to individuals being served; must be able to multi-task, very detailed oriented and possess analytical skills; must be able to communicate relevant information on a timely basis with accuracy and completeness; must be a problem solver who works to find solutions to unexpected problems that arise within the resources available; must be able to travel frequently.
Preferred Qualifications: Typically requires a Master’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree and 5+ years of experience. Agency Preferred qualifications: A Master’s Degree or a Bachelor’s Degree, and 5+ years of experience directly related to the above described duties.
Characteristics of Work
See for information regarding this classifications
Health/Prescription InsuranceEligible employees have the opportunity to participate in the state’s health and prescription insurance program. Employees may select either single or family coverage with affordable co-payments. More detail can be found at Know Your Benefits.
Wellness Benefits
Employees are eligible for a wellness and health promotion program. This plan provides annual benefits for certain services with first-dollar coverage with no deductible.
Life Insurance
All eligible employees receive an actual term life insurance policy upon employment. The policy coverage is two times the employee’s annual salary to a maximum of $100,000. More detail can be found at Life Insurance Choices.
Optional Insurances
Many agencies offer discounted premiums for dental, vision, and cancer insurance.
Flexible Spending Accounts
Many state agencies provide opportunity for employees to participate in pre-tax spending accounts. These accounts allow employees to withhold childcare expenses and unreimbursed medical expenses prior to application of state and federal taxes.
Paid Personal Leave and Sick LeaveFull-time employees receive paid time off for personal needs and for sick leave. Leave begins accruing after one month of employment and may be used as it is accrued. Employees earn approximately 18 days of personal leave annually and 12 days of sick leave annually.
Military Leave
In accordance with federal law, all employees serving in the armed forces or the military reserves are entitled to 15 days per year for military training.
Holidays
Employees receive up to 10 paid holidays to enjoy many of our nation’s celebrations with family and friends.
Retirement Programs
The State of Mississippi provides all its employees a Defined Benefit/Defined Contribution Retirement Program. Employees become vested in the State’s retirement system after 8 years of employment. Both you and your employing agency contribute toward your retirement. More detailed information regarding the State’s retirement program can be found at http://www.pers.state.ms.us
Deferred Compensation
State agencies offer several opportunities for their employees to participate in a deferred compensation voluntary retirement savings plan. More information can be found at Deferred Compensation.
State Credit Union
All state employees are eligible to participate in the Mississippi Public Employees’ Credit Union. This organization offers state employees special savings and borrowing plans. For more information about this program, call 601.948.8191.
Tuition Reimbursement
Many state agencies provide opportunities for their employees to achieve higher education through tuition reimbursement. Common programs include medical and nursing fields, accounting, and business/administrative fields.
Career Development and Training
The Mississippi State Personnel Board offers several management and administrative certification programs, as well as professional development courses to enhance employee value to the agency. Individual agencies also offer technical training and allow membership in professional organizations to employees in their specific fields of employment.
Promotional Opportunities
Employees who have completed 6 or more months of service are eligible for promotional opportunities within state government employment. Minimum qualifications must be met.
Career Ladders
Many job classifications provide career-ladder opportunities based upon attainment of competencies. These career ladders can increase an individual’s salary, provided funds are available within the agency.
01
How many years of relevant experience do you have? (Refer to the job posting for an explanation of relevant experience.)
- No experience
- 1 year of experience
- 2 years of experience
- 3 years of experience
- 4 years of experience
- 5 years of experience
- 6 years of experience
- 7 years of experience
- 8 years of experience
- 9 years of experience
- 10 years of experience
- More than 10 years
02
What is the highest level of education (or semester hours of college) you have completed?
- None
- GED or High School Equivalency Diploma / High School Diploma
- 30 semester hours
- Associate’s Degree / 60 semester hours
- 90 semester hours
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Master’s Degree
- Specialist Degree
- Doctorate Degree
Required Question