Our state also boasts some of the nation's best Southern skiing. The Virginia Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired wants to attract qualified applicants who are seeking opportunities to assist blind and visually impaired individuals to obtain employment. The agency has six regional offices across the state that serve both rural and metropolitan areas. The VR Counselor has full responsibility for caseload management, job development and job placement including matching the customer with appropriate assistive technology. The new VR Counselor receives thorough orientation to the agency including classes, individualized training from Regional managers and other VR Counselors, tours of various agency facilities, and an introduction to the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
All new counselors participate in a one week orientation to blindness class.
For the first year, the new VR Counselor receives on-going training and education in areas of job development and placement, assistive technology, computer technology, caseload management, and conflict management. VR Counselors continue to receive training and education to keep them current on new concepts and trends. Health insurance is available to Virginia government's full-time classified employees and their dependents from a variety of health care plans. Dental and prescription drug coverage also is available. Employees receive fully paid life insurance and a retirement plan with the state paying the members' contributions.