September 2, 2024

Blind Foundation

Wellington City

FULL TIME & OTHER

Independent Life Skills Specialist

Job Type: Permanent/Full-time

Location: Wellington

Closing date: Sunday, 29 September 2024

Mō mātou | About Us

Blind Low Vision NZ is the leading national provider of vision rehabilitation services for people who are blind, deafblind or have low vision. Now more than ever, the opportunities are here to make a real difference for people with sight loss, and you’ll help us achieve our vision of empowering New Zealanders who are blind, deafblind or low vision, to live the life they choose. As well as supporting individuals, we seek to make big-picture change by advocating for inclusive communities and for optimal eye care services for all New Zealanders. We have a rich history stretching back to 1890 and as we continue to connect people with sight loss to expert staff and their peers, we also continue to be one of New Zealand's most trusted and iconic not for profit organisations.

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

We are seeking to employ an exceptional Independent Life Skill Specialist, based out of one of our central offices (Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington). In this role, you will primarily be teaching life centered competencies (Orientation and Mobility and Adaptive Daily Living skills) to children and youth (0-21yrs), and their families.

The purpose of this role is:

To provide life centred competencies that include Developmental Orientation & Mobility to support to children, from birth to school age, 16 years and over, and upon leaving school transitioning into adult life.
To provide life centred competencies that include developmental Activities Daily Living and other life skills to support to children, from birth to school age and young people, and their families until transitions to adult life
Assess, plan, implement and evaluate individual programmes to children and young people using best practice guidelines and standards.

You will be delivering services from a variety of home and community settings across Central and lower North Island and will be part of a highly dynamic and motivated team where we celebrate and value individual differences while working together to make the team as effective as possible in order to deliver a first class service.

Ko wai koe | About you

You will be able to use a range of approaches in your practice. From designing individually tailored programmes, to helping design and deliver child and family group training sessions. We are looking for someone who:

Is creative and innovative
Is able to express themselves in a variety of mediums.
A qualification and background in either Orientation and Mobility and Adaptive Daily Living is preferred. However a qualification and background in Occupational or Physiotherapy Therapy or in Early Childhood education with an emphasis in Special Education may also be considered.
Can demonstrate a minimum or two years previous experience and expertise in working with children, young people and their families
Can demonstrate knowledge and experience within the general health, disability or rehabilitation sectors

If you want to be a part of a supportive and creative work environment, love to work with children and have a resourceful streak, this is the opportunity for you.

Please note that applications may close sooner if suitable candidate found

Me pēhea te tuku tono | How to apply

This is a great opportunity to join an organisation that is truly passionate about helping their clients, while also offering rewarding career opportunities, great staff benefits, and a flexible work environment where possible! As we strive to be a for purpose organisation, our staff take an active interest and participate in fundraising and volunteer opportunities.

To show an interest in this position, please click ‘Apply Now’ and submit a formal application through our Careers Portal. Should you have any questions, please contact our Recruitment Team - recruitment@blindlowvision.org.nz

Joining Blind Low Vision NZ means being part of a whānau that values and celebrates the unique contribution each individual brings. We encourage suitably qualified individuals who are blind, have low vision or any other disability to apply. We aspire to increase the representation of a diverse workforce within our organisation. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people, providing a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be their true selves. We are dedicated to the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and continue to develop our understanding and implementation of the principles through all aspects of our work.

You must have the right to live and work in Aotearoa New Zealand to apply for this position.