In the Department for Services for the Blind, the senior-level Vision Rehabilitation Specialist serves in either an itinerant field appointment within an assigned geographic area or in a center-based appointment within the Orientation and Training Center.

Incumbents serve as a senior/specialist and/or lead and are responsible for the onboarding, training, and development for lower-level Vision Rehabilitation Specialist staff towards competency among the range of Vision Rehabilitation Specialist skillsets. Positions are also responsible for ongoing training requested by lower-level staff, and requests from Regional Area Managers for employee retention training for lower-level staff. These positions lead statewide Vision Rehabilitation Specialist process review and improvement efforts.

Creates and manages training plans to develop entry and journey level Vision Rehabilitation Specialists to competency in all components of VRS tasks, including low vision measurement, assessment, and recommendation services; provides orientation to new agency staff and key community stakeholders;

Leads statewide Vision Rehabilitation Specialist process review and improvement efforts; addresses business needs;

Assesses and measures low vision needs, and recommends and implements solutions, therapies, techniques, and tools to address low vision needs;

Serves on agency committees as assigned;

May represent the department in meetings with community resources and community service agencies;

May manage a caseload in an assigned geographic area;

Performs the duties of the lower levels in the series;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: concepts, principles, and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation and the use of assessment techniques to determine capabilities of and potential barriers for persons who are blind, low vision or deaf blind; principles, methods, and techniques used to assist individuals in adjusting to vision loss; public and private resources and services that address wholistic needs of individual participants with disabilities or business-as-customer; principles of adult education, curriculum creation and revision, and instruction adaptability to address multiple disabilities; current trends, techniques, and tools in vision rehabilitation; techniques, information, and supports for assisting individuals who are blind, low vision or deaf blind to integrate into the community and competitive, integrated employment; blind community and consumer organizations, and other community supports; psychological aspects of blindness; theory and techniques of training blind and visually impaired persons to travel; nature and training of human senses; learning modalities; psychology; mental health; secondary disabilities and other conditions.

Ability to: work independently; supervise and direct others; develop curricula and in-service training; teach adaptive skills of blindness; analyze complex situations for emotional and physical safety of individual participant and take appropriate effective action including handling emergent situations, coaching, and provision of counseling and advocacy; work effectively with individuals who are blind, low vision or deaf blind, including those with additional disabilities; present ideas clearly and effectively orally and in writing; train peers; engage with businesses as a dual customer to address business-specific needs around disability.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

A master’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.


A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, or adaptive technology.


Three years of paid professional experience providing services that teach adaptive skills of blindness to the blind, low vision, or deaf blind individuals, including one year of supervisory or lead experience.

For those positions performing Orientation and Mobility functions, current certification and a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in an accredited orientation and mobility program is required.

New Class, July 1, 2007.
Replaces 21900 Rehabilitation Teacher 3 and 37320 Orientation and Mobility Specialist.
Base range salary adjustment (from 49 to 56): adopted June 29, 2022, effective July 1, 2022
Revised title, definition, distinguishing characteristics, knowledge and abilities, and qualifications: adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023