Hard of Hearing Services Specialist - Wilmington RC

Position is 100 federally funded.

**Position is eligible for a hybrid remote teleworking schedule to includeweekly onsite work hours.**

Community Development

• Designs training programs to enable Hard of Hearing individuals to access programs and services in the community.
• Identify communities for and promote development of HOH support groups ie: Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA).
• Provides information and works with other specialists to provide followup services with the equipment distribution services program to ensure successful use of acquired technology.
• Provides consultation and technical assistance to agencies to assist with their provision of services to individuals who are Hard of Hearing.
• Disseminates materials to Hard of Hearing individuals and consumer groups and service providers regarding their rights and responsibilities in areas of communication access and opportunities.
• Enters provided services into electronic database to document services which involve assessing referring developing resources and strategies monitoring and evaluation of specific Hard of Hearing consumer cases (aging population multicultural minority).
• Provides assistance to Hard of Hearing consumers with information/referrals on available resources and services to meet personal/family needs.
• Identifies and promotes possibilities for continuing education classes at community or technical colleges for Hard of Hearing customers the general public and services providers (e.g. writing reading computer GED drivers education etc..

• Provide basic information regarding Hearing Loss: types degree age of onset and the correlating impact on daily life.
• Provide training for HOH and latent HOH customers and families regarding personal amplification including hearing aids cochlear implants assistive technology and current trends to support HOH customers decision making related to their hearing loss.
• Provide training to HOH and latent HOH customers and families regarding mental health impact of hearing loss such as shame isolation grief cultural stigma memory & cognitive functioning fatigue depression.
• Provide training to assist latent HOH customers and families in understanding and identifying stages of acceptance of hearing loss.
• Provide training to assist latent HOH customers and families with constructive coping strategies related to mental health and psychosocial aspects of hearing loss.

• Maintains current informational materials on ADA and other special topic areas.
• Monitors compliance with the ADA in the region. Serves as consultant to programs agencies businesses regarding communication access for Hard of Hearing individuals.
• Serves as an advocate for Hard of Hearing individuals in all matters of daily life impacted by hearing loss such as: employment law medicine education etc.
• Conducts group and individual training and awareness sessions in the region to foster full independence and selfsufficiency for the Hard of Hearing population regarding education employment emergency services independent living social services civic involvement recreation and other areas of life.
• Provides awareness and sensitivity training to related service providers and fellow employees from public and private agencies to help them to fully understand the needs of the Hard of Hearing population in the region.

Public Outreach and Awareness

• Works with agencies and service providers to educate the general public and private practitioners about their obligations under the ADA.
• Maintains public relations with local and state advocacy groups Hard of Hearing and related consumer organizations business service providers professional associations and local county and state government agencies etc.
• Serves on various advisory groups or task forces bringing knowledge and expertise to serve the interests and needs of the Hard of Hearing population in the region.
• Provides support in form of information and referrals to Hard of Hearing consumers service providers the general public and state agency administrators on all issues dealing with hearing loss ADA and other related topics.
• Answers verbal and written inquiries about hearing loss and related issues.
• Participates as one of the RC liaisons in organizational meetings of customers service providers and the general public and advocacy groups/committees.
• Writes articles and information for community newsletters and Division publications such as the Calendar of Events as needed.
• Collects and disseminates uptodate resource materials on the ADA and other current issues pertinent to the Hard of Hearing population within regional catchment area.
• Plans and organizes special projects to educate the general public about hearing loss and related issues
• Works with other specialists to plan annual community recognition activities.
• Maintains database of Hard of Hearing customers service providers the general public and agencies.

About the NC Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DSDHH):
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 wellbeing.

About the NC Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS):

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest most complex agencies in the state and has approximately 17000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health safety and wellbeing 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.

Compensation and Benefits:

Listed below are the knowledge skills and abilities (KSAs) associated with the position. These KSAs along with the minimum education and experience listed are required in order to be deemed eligible for the position therefore you must provide supporting information within the body of your application to demonstrate your possession of each KSA listed.

Qualified applicants must possess and application must clearly reflect work experience that demonstrates the following:

• Basic knowledge of the fields of hearing loss and adaptive/assistive technology related to hearing loss.
• Previous experience in social and cultural activities of the aging population.
• Basic knowledge of federal and state laws programs and services relating to hearing loss.
• Effective public presentation and interaction skills.

Management preference will be given to candidates with:

• Indepth knowledge of the fields of hearing loss and adaptive technology including hearing aids cochlear implants and audiology.
• Previous experience in social and cultural activities with the hard of hearing and/or aging population. Good working knowledge of various communication strategies and techniques.
• Profound appreciation of communication and psychological challenges faced by Hard of Hearing/ aging individuals.
• Extensive knowledge of federal and state laws programs and services relating to Hard of Hearing North Carolinians.
• Effective public presentation and interaction skills.
• Ability and commitment to communicate effectively with Hard of Hearing and/or aging population.

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. SeeEducation and Experience Equivalency Guidefor details.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who 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: uses the MeritBased 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.

It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked education with the date graduated all work experience and certificates / licenses. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicants transcript. Applicants with degrees not conferred at a United States college or university must attach verification that their degree is equivalent to a similar degree from a U.S. institution. The 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 Transcripts degree evaluations and cover letters may be uploaded with your application.

NOTE: Applicants will receive communication via email only for updates on the status of their application or any questions on their application. If there are any questions about this posting other than your application statusplease contact Talent Acquisition at.

To check the status of an application please log in to your NC Government Job Opportunities account and click Application Status.

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