[Jobs] Iowa Job Braille Services Coordinator

[David Andrews]

January 17, 2008
STATE OF IOWA
IOWA DEPARTMENT FOR THE BLIND
Vacancy Announcement
Services Specialist for the Blind 2
Librarian, Braille Production

The Iowa Department for the Blind is recruiting applicants for the 
following position: Services Specialist for the Blind 2, Librarian, 
Braille Production, Iowa Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

Oversees work of all volunteer Braillists and Iowa-based contract 
Braillists.  Provides on-going training and support on Braille 
formatting, including textbook formatting, foreign-language Braille, 
Nemeth Braille and graphic production.  Evaluates Braille projects, 
determines formatting requirements; makes decisions regarding 
graphics to be reproduced; makes decisions regarding inclusion of 
auxiliary components such as indexes and footnotes; determines 
suitability of project for inclusion in the library's permanent 
collection; assigns project to Braillist based on skill 
level.  Provides on-going, project-specific support to Braillists. 
Checks Braillists' work periodically and provides feedback on 
accuracy, formatting decisions, timeliness, and related 
issues.  Tracks Braillists' production and maintains steady and 
appropriate flow of work to each Braillist.

Transcribes print text into Braille, including assignments with short 
deadlines, complex transcription requirements, or assignments 
requiring Nemeth code.

Mentors new Braillists, including students working through NLS 
certification programs for literary and Nemeth transcription as well 
as proofreading.  Receives and grades lessons; provides ongoing 
encouragement, moral support, and technical support. Mentors through 
certification process and beginning  transcription 
experience.  Recruits new Braillists into the program and mentors 
existing Braillists to higher levels of certification.

Provides periodic training for volunteer and contract Braillists in 
various aspects of transcription processes, including use of NIMAS 
and other electronic files as the basis for formatting and 
transcription; changes in formatting rules and conventions; changes 
in software; and refresher training of Braille rules and formatting.

SALARY RANGE:  Plan 000, Grade 26, $37,564.80-$57,054.40  annually

HOURS:  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Certification in literary Braille transcription and training and 
experience in textbook formatting.  Nemeth certification and NBA 
formats certification preferred.
Minimum of 5 years experience transcribing print documents into 
Braille using computer-based, direct input and/or Braille translation software.

Along with any combination of the following:
Graduation from an accredited college or university and experience 
equal to one year of full-time professional or paraprofessional work 
in human service fields such as: libraries, social services; nursing; 
personnel; vocational rehabilitation; education; psychology; or 
intangible sales, interviewing, recruiting, and promotion; 
recreation, public information, volunteer service for public or 
private organizations, fund raising, or ministry in a recognized 
faith or denomination;


OR

graduation from an accredited college university with a major 
emphasis in library science or liberal arts and at least one year of 
library work experience;
OR
an equivalent combination of education and experience substituting 
the equivalent of one year of full-time work experience (as listed 
above) for each year of the required education to a maximum 
substitution of four years.


Occasional overnight travel required.

LOCATION:  Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 Fourth Street, Des 
Moines, Iowa 50309-2364

For further information, contact Karen A. Keninger, Program 
Administrator at 515-281-1367.  To apply, please send a letter of 
application and a resume by e-mail to allen.harris at blind.state.ia.us 
or by mail to Allen Harris, Director, Iowa Department for the Blind, 
524 Fourth Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50309.  Applications must be 
received by 5:00 p.m. Central time on Monday, February 18, 2008.





EEO/AA EMPLOYER