Job Details

Reader / Driver

This job announcement will be used to fill 1 position located at: 2120 E 13th St., Vancouver - Clark County, WA 98661

This position does not have a set schedule and may work both day and evening hours. Reader-Driver is on-call; work is intermittent, sporadic and does not fit a particular work schedule or pattern.

Contact Information

Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388. For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan via email jobs@des.wa.gov.

Who We Are:

Washington State Department of Services for the Blind (DSB) provides training, counseling, and support to help Washington residents of all ages, who are blind, low vision or deaf blind pursue employment, education, and independent living. Our mission is “Working together with individuals who are Blind, Deaf-Blind or Low Vision so they can flourish in their homes, communities, and workplaces.”

The primary responsibility of the agency is to assist customers with visual disabilities retain their employment, become employed and/or increase independence and inclusion in their communities. Many of the services provided by DSB staff require travel and fieldwork necessary to perform the essential functions of the job.

Approximately 20% of the DSB workforce is blind, low vision, or deaf blind. Staff who are blind, low vision or deaf blind may need and request the services of Reader/Drivers to facilitate their job performance by performing visual reading and driving functions.

DSB is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness - qualifying employer.

About this Opportunity

This position provides reading and driving assistance for transporting blind, low vision, or deaf blind department staff to and from work locations. Driving requirements may consist of short distances, and long distances beyond 60 miles/day. Customer interactions may consist of assisting the individual. Reader-Driver is on-call; work is intermittent, sporadic and does not fit a particular work schedule or pattern. Some lifting maybe included for staff that utilize orientation and mobility aides such as long cane or guide dogs. Work will consist in either a motor vehicle, in an office setting, or at times customer homes. Incumbent may lift and carry equipment weighing up to 40 pounds. Drivers will primarily utilize office assigned state motor pool vehicles. Private owner vehicles (POV) may be used in exceptions only.

Provide reading and driving assistance

• Operating a state vehicle, transporting blind, low vision, or deaf blind department staff to and from various work locations
• Reading and completing handwritten documents
• Printing documents
• Relocating or carrying items

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated ability through previous roles or education to meet the competencies below. Roles could be experience gained through military service, volunteer leadership, consulting, self-employment, previous roles, classes or certifications, or non-traditional jobs.

Required Competencies

• Licensing and Driving Experience - Valid, unrestricted, Driver's License recognized by Washington State and 3 years of licensed driving experience, with no more than 3 minor infractions
• Defensive and Attentive Driving: Ability to drive safely and defensive in all traffic, road, and weather conditions and following mapping directions (GPS, paper, written, or verbal) and ability to remain attentive while transporting individuals who may require assistance
• Document Reading and Support - Ability to accurately read, scan, and print handwritten, printed, or typed documents and locate specific content needed
• Clear and Effective Communication - Ability to speak clearly, use understandable language, and communicate effectively with blind, low-vision, or deaf-blind staff or customers.
• Professional and Respectful Interactions - Ability to engage with others in a respectful, courteous, and professional manner
• Confidentiality and Integrity - Ability to maintain privacy and professionalism when supporting staff with sensitive work activities or documents
• Willingness to Learn: Must have a desire to learn about the specialized needs of and/or resources available to individuals who are blind, deaf blind, or low vision and who also may have other disabilities
• Professional Growth and Service Mindset - The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others
• Knowledge and experience working with individuals who are blind, low vision or deaf blind or individuals with disabilities

Equity Competencies

State of Washington Employees contribute to ensuring services, programs, workplaces, and interactions are responsive, respectful, accessible, and effective to the people and communities we serve. Employees are expected to:

• Take action to learn and Grow: Demonstrate a willingness to learn from new experiences, seek feedback, consider different perspectives, and continuously improve knowledge, skills, communication, and approaches to work.
• Take action to meet the needs of others: Seek to understand the needs and experiences of customers, coworkers, and communities. Identify barriers to access and participation and address them before they become obstacles for the people we serve, providing support that is respectful, timely, and effective.

Special Requirements / Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a background check prior to employment

Background Check Notice

Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Services for the Blind, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Washington Fair Chance Act

We are committed to providing equitable access to employment opportunities. If a criminal background check is required for employment at an agency, it will occur only after a conditional offer of employment has been made and accepted. Applicants are not required to disclose criminal history during the hiring process prior to a conditional offer. Criminal history will not automatically exclude an applicant from consideration and will be reviewed on an individual basis consistent with applicable law and the requirements of the position.

Union Inclusion

This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Opportunity for All

The Department of Services for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials, and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan by emailing jobs@des.wa.gov. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6388.