![](media/image1.png)**DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS**

**MEDICAL CENTER**

**WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA**

**EXCEPTED SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT**

# Position Title: BLIND REHABILITATION SPECIALIST

# (Orientation/Mobility Instructor)

Grade: GS-601-9 target 11 or GS-11

Announcement Number: ES 06-146

Opening Date: 09/14/06

Closing Date: 09/27/06

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Area of Consideration: **VA NATIONWIDE**

Organization: Blind Rehabilitation Service

Work Schedule: Full-time (40 hours per week)

Number of Positions: One (1)

# Promotion potential: GS-11

# Salary: GS-9 - \$44,985 -- \$58,486 per annum

# GS-11- \$54,429 - \$70,762 per annum

# RELOCATION EXPENSES ARE NOT AUTHORIZED

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HRMS Contact: Felix Gonzalez, Human Resources Management Specialist at
(561) 422-8297

Submit Application to: VA Medical Center, Human Resources Management
Service (05), 7305 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach, FL 33410-6400

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**NOTE: If filled at the GS-9 level, incumbent may be non-competitively
promoted to the target grade (GS-11) when all regulatory promotion
requirements are met. This includes time-in-grade, specialized
experience, availability of higher graded duties and supervisory
recommendations.**

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**DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:** The incumbent is responsible for orientation
and mobility cases assigned. The incumbent must have a professional
knowledge of the following theories, principles, and practices of
orientation and mobility (O&M) with the totally blind; use and
application of the long cane, multiple orientation systems including
egocentric and exocentric referenced systems, basic protective
techniques, sighted guide, the general application and use of dog guides
and referral procedures for dog guides, the general application and
current, commercially available Electronic Travel Aids (ETA's), ability
to counsel veterans regarding their need and use for an ETA and referral
procedures for veterans applying for ETAs; the procedures for
prescribing cane lengths and the advantages and disadvantages of the
various types of canes available to the blind; the application and use
of nonvisual training aids such as tactile maps; the application and use
of sensory training exercises for remedation in selected problem
situations. Must have a professional knowledge of principles and
practices of O&M with the partially sighted, but legally blind. Must
have knowledge of the physiology and function of the eye and the common
pathologies resulting in blindness. Knowledge of counseling techniques;
sociological and psychological implications of blindness and identifying
and referring these elements appropriately; knowledge of gerontology and
kinesiology; knowledge of a holistic rehabilitation program and how to
interact within a multidisciplinary framework; knowledge of professional
O&M blindness manuals, reference books, and journals; knowledge of
theories and practices of both general education and special education.
The incumbent thoroughly reviews the medical chart prior to admission,
and upon admission the incumbent evaluates the current O&M status of the
veteran, plans and individualized O&M program to meet the veteran's need
and abilities and carries out the program.

**I. Basic Requirements:** Degree: Master's Degree in Orientation and
Mobility

For GS-9:

Education: 2 years of progressively high level graduate education
leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree.

OR

Specialized experience: One (1) year of specialized experience
equivalent to at least the GS-7 grade level. Specialized experience is
experience that equipped the applicant with particular knowledge, skill,
and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and
that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be
filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been
equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of
progression for the occupation in the organization.

For GS-11:

Education: Three (3) years of progressive higher level graduate
education leading to a Ph. D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR

Specialized experience: One (1) year of specialized experience
equivalent to at least the GS-9 grade level. Specialized experience is
experience that equipped the applicant with particular knowledge, skill,
and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and
that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be
filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been
equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of
progression for the occupation in the organization.

Further information concerning qualifications may be obtained from the
Human Resources Management Office.

**COMPETENCIES:** The following competencies will be used in the
evaluation process for this position. Failure to respond to these
competencies will result in not being given full consideration for this
position.

1.  Ability to devise an effective orientation and mobility training
    program for blind and visually impaired individuals.

2.  Ability to evaluate patient's needs, interests and skill level in
    the orientation and mobility area.

3.  Knowledge of the blind rehabilitation process and ability to apply
    this knowledge in a multi-disciplinary setting.

4.  Knowledge of standard blind rehabilitation techniques and practice.

5.  Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

**HOW TO APPLY:**

**[VA Employees West Palm Beach:]{.underline}**

1.  Employees may apply by submitting VA Form 5-4078, Application for

> Promotion or Reassignment, to Human Resources Management Service
> (HRMS); forwarding a message on Microsoft Outlook or, VISTA to the
> HRMS point of contact with the following information:

a\. Name;

b\. Title, series and grade of position;

c\. Location of vacancy (service and unit);

d\. Vacancy announcement number; and

> e\. Grade levels for which consideration is requested (if announced at
> multiple grade levels).
>
> 2\. Responses to KSA's/Competencies (rating factors) may be addressed
> on an
>
> 8 X 11 sheet of bond paper.
>
> 3\. Applicants who fail to submit all required forms might not receive
> full credit in the rating and ranking process. Applications telefaxed
> and/or mailed in a Postage-Paid Government envelopes will not be
> accepted.

**[VA Employees Nationwide:]{.underline}**

1.  A signed VA Form 10-2850c, Application for Associated Health
    Occupations, available at
    [www.vacareers.com](http://www.vacareers.com/).

2.  A current resume describing your experience in detail. Please
    include starting and ending dates (mm/yy) and number of hours per
    week for each position.

> 3\. OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment, available at
> [www.usajobs.opm.gov](http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/).

4\. A copy of your last SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action.

5\. A copy of your latest performance appraisal.

6\. College transcripts, vocational training certificates, or
licensures, if any.

7.  Responses to KSA's/Competencies (rating factors) may be addressed on
    an

> 8 X 11 sheet of bond paper.

8.  Applicants who fail to submit all required forms might not receive
    full credit in the

> rating and ranking process. Applications telefaxed and/or mailed in a
> Postage-Paid Government envelopes will not be accepted.

**NOTE:** **[TIME IN GRADE:]{.underline}** **Candidates for advancement
to positions at** **GS-6, -7, etc., which is in a line of work properly
classified at 1-grade intervals** must have completed at least one year
of service in positions no more than one grade lower than the position
to be filled. **Candidates for advancement to positions at GS-7, -9,
-11, which is in a line of work properly classified at 2-grade
intervals** must have completed at least one year of service in
positions no more than two grades lower than the positions to be filled.

Applicant's materials should be mailed to:

> VA MEDICAL CENTER
>
> HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT SERVICE (05)
>
> 7305 NORTH MILITARY TRAIL
>
> Attn: Felix Gonzalez

WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33410-6400

Applications must be received by the closing date to receive
consideration.

Thank you for your interest in the West Palm Beach Veterans Affairs
Medical Center!

**[ENGLISH PROFICIENCY:]{.underline}** (38 USC 4105 (c)): Before
candidates may be assigned to a position, which involves direct patient
care, he/she must possess basic proficiency in both written and spoken
English.

**THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT**

**OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER**

DAVID W. GREEN

Chief, Human Resources Mgmt Service