Job Description
PLEASE ATTACH THE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS LISTED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS PAGE
Job ID: 36742
Agency: Department of Human Services - Service to the Blind & Visually Impaired
Location: Pierre or Aberdeen, SD
Salary: $25.02 Hourly, depending on qualifications
Pay Grade: H
Closing Date: 7/29/26
This is a Full-Time 40 Hours Weekly position with the Department of Human Services - Service to the Blind & Visually Impaired. For more information on the Department of Human Services, please visit https://dhs.sd.gov/ .
Summary:
See What You Can Do!
Services to the Blind and Visually Impaired is seeking a Rehabilitation Teacher for the Independent Living Older Blind Program. In this role, you will work directly with older South Dakotans who are blind or experiencing vision loss. You will assess how vision loss affects daily life, develop individualized training plans, and teach practical skills that help people remain safe, confident, and independent in their homes and communities. You will not restore sight, but one lesson at a time, you will help people reclaim their routines, independence, and sense of self one lesson at a time.
SBVI Rehabilitation Teachers manage their schedules around clients' needs, travel distances, and service priorities within a standard workweek. This field-based role offers variety, autonomy, and the opportunity to solve real problems alongside the people you serve.
Experience with vision loss is not required. SBVI provides structured onboarding, Skills of Blindness training, and ongoing support from an experienced team. You do not need to know everything on day one. You do need curiosity, sound judgment, strong teaching instincts, and the willingness to learn and take ownership of your work.
If you have experience teaching, coaching, supporting people with disabilities, or helping others learn, adapt, and build confidence, this may be the role you did not know you were looking for!
This is a field-based position that includes work in an office, consumers' homes, and other community settings. Travel throughout Aberdeen and the north-central counties of South Dakota is expected approximately two to three days per week, with occasional overnight travel based on territory size, consumer needs, caseload demands, training, and professional development opportunities. You will be assigned a state vehicle for official travel.
Because services are provided in consumers' homes and other community settings, environmental conditions may vary and may include limited climate control, household clutter, pets, smoke, odors, uneven surfaces, and other potential accessibility or safety concerns.
You must be able to lift and carry up to 25 pounds, including low-vision devices and training equipment. You are required to be able to demonstrate low vision aids and adaptive equipment, which may involve frequent use of your hands and arms, reaching, bending, stooping, and moving equipment during consumer instruction.
The State of South Dakota offers a competitive benefits package for employees, including:
- 15 days/120 Hours of Vacation Leave
- 14 days/112 Hours of Sick Leave
- 11 Paid Holidays
- Employee health insurance includes a $0 premium plan for employee-only coverage
- Flexible Benefits include Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Critical Illness and more
- Paid Parental & Family Medical Leave
- 6% Fully Matched Retirement Plan
- Reduced Tuition for In-State Colleges/Universities
- Employee Wellness Programs
- Continued Education/Training Opportunities
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
- a bachelor's degree in human services, education, social work, nursing, rehabilitation, or a related field preferred; equivalent education and direct-service experience may be considered;
- experience teaching or supporting older adults or people with disabilities;
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with diverse individuals and teams;
- ability to assess functional strengths and barriers and translate them into practical, person-centered goals;
- patience, empathy, and a genuine passion for working with individuals with disabilities;
- strong written communication and accurate case documentation;
- independent judgment, critical thinking, and confidence making field-based decisions;
- exceptional attention to detail, prioritization, self-direction, and consistent follow-through in managing a schedule, caseload, travel, and deadlines;
- ability to build trust and maintain professional relationships with individuals, families, and community partners;
- comfort navigating difficult conversations with empathy, honesty, and respect;
- high ethical standards, confidentiality, culturally responsive practice, and understanding of mandatory reporting responsibilities.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
Knowledge of:
- principles of disability, independence, informed choice, dignity, self-determination, and person-centered services
- adult learning, interviewing, counseling, and motivational techniques
- service planning and methods for measuring progress
- community resources available to older adults and people with disabilities, including health care, transportation, housing, and long-term services and supports
- social, psychological, and practical effects of significant disability, particularly for older adults living in rural communities
Ability to:
- break complex tasks into manageable, teachable steps.
- learn and demonstrate low vision devices, adaptive equipment, assistive technology, and techniques used by people with vision loss
- adapt instruction to an individual's learning style, physical abilities, cognitive needs, emotional readiness, and home environment
- interpret and consistently apply program policies, procedures, and federal requirements
- use Microsoft Office products and electronic case management systems
Additional Requirements: To be considered, please attach your resume and cover letter.
This position is eligible for Veterans' Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
NCRC: If you possess a National Career Readiness Certificate, please submit the certificate with your application. For more information on how to acquire a National Career Readiness Certificate contact a South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Job Service Office. A certificate is not necessary to be considered.
The State of South Dakota does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
The State of South Dakota offers $0 premium employee health insurance option plus eleven paid holidays, generous vacation and sick leave accrual, dental, vision, and other insurance options, and retirement benefits. You can view our benefits information here . This position is a member of Class A retirement under SDRS.
Must apply online: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=4EY
You must apply online, emailed resumes or submissions will not be accepted.
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources and Administration
Telephone: 605.773.3148 Email: careers@state.sd.us
http://bhr.sd.gov/workforus
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
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