IDB VR

01/24/2022

Are you looking for a rewarding career as a direct care worker? Here are a couple of current positions looking to hire in central Iowa:
Woodward Community Based Service in Des Moines, Direct Support Professional - Pay: $14.00 - $16.00 per hour; Education: High school or equivalent (Preferred) Experience: Caregiving: 1 year (Preferred) Work Location: Multiple Locations; full job description: https://tinyurl.com/2p87yvue
Resident Assistants Windsor Manor Assisted Living in Indianola $14-$16 per hour; evenings and nights; reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (preferred); education: high school or equivalent (preferred); experience: caregiving: 1 year (preferred);license/certification: CPR Certification (preferred); full job description: https://tinyurl.com/4n6yzm72

01/24/2022

Looking for a great summer job where you can make a difference in the lives of blind youth and earn over $17 per hour? Are you passionate about helping blind youth get the skills and self-confidence they need to become independent and successful adults? Are you interested in a career in the blindness field and need a place to gain experience and connections? Check out this posting for counselors in our summer young adult program closing on 1/31: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/3342589/summer-youth-counselor?fbclid=IwAR15StRTABJ4tW10BtkEOdrK_6VU2SVYPHiKy-TpianWJONURo8dKyIKW6A

01/24/2022

This is a non-merit temporary position with the Iowa Department for the Blind. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section. Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Ente...

01/24/2022

Image is of a DART bus driving down the road on a snowy day.

Because of the forecasted extremely cold temperatures moving in to central Iowa today (1/24), DART is partnering to offer free rides to warming centers and shelters through Thursday (1/27).

Learn more: bit.ly/3H2j3TF

11/09/2020

It is National Apprenticeship Week! Apprenticeships have significant benefits to both job seekers and employers. Contact your local IowaWORKS to learn more.
* Iowa is home to about 800 apprenticeship programs and around 7,800 registered apprentices.
* On average, apprentices earn more than $60,000 per year, at the end of the apprenticeship, with zero or minimal debt (according to Iowa Economic Development Authority)
* To create an apprenticeship, employers are able to collaborate with the state's community colleges, all of which are pre-approved by DOL as registered apprenticeship eligible. If the employer is looking to create an apprenticeship for an occupation not already approved, it can work to create one. If there are no colleges in the surrounding area or the colleges do not have relevant classroom instruction available, an employer can work with online providers approved by DOL or train certified in-house instructors.
* The state's Registered Apprenticeship Development Fund is geared toward small- to medium-sized business. It makes $1 million available each year for registered apprenticeship programs in "high-demand occupations."
* Apprenticeships boost retention rates, 91% of workers who complete an apprenticeship are still employed with the same employer 9 months later.

04/01/2020

Come join our fantastic library team!
ILBPH is seeking applicants for the position of Librarian 1 to fill the role of Technical Services Librarian. This position is responsible for collection development of electronic resources, cataloging electronic resources, processing materials and ensuring accessibility through discovery and access.

To see full position description and to apply:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/2759695/librarian-1?keywords=librarian&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Applicants are strongly encouraged to attach a cover letter and resume to the online application.
Questions Contact:
Sarah Willeford
Library Director
515-494-8439
[email protected]

03/30/2020

List of Polk County Community Resources:

- Iowa Workforce Development

https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/updates-and-resources-about-covid-19

- Polk County General Assistance

- COVID Program Updates https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/cfys/modifications-to-program-services-due-to-covid-19/

- How to Apply for Assistance https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/cfys/services/general-assistance-program/

- LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance) Program

https://humanrights.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/media/dcaa_polk_03-21-20.pdf

- 211 Resource Line- Call 211 or go to website

https://www.211iowa.org/

- Food Assistance- Des Moines Public Schools

https://www.dmschools.org/coronavirus/family-support-district-closure/124486-2/

- Food Assistance- West Des Moines Community Schools

https://www.wdmcs.org/coronavirus-information/community-resources/

Surrounding school districts are also offering meal sites, please visit the school district website for more information.

03/27/2020

We are all looking forward to MONDAY at the Iowa Department for the Blind! Thanks to our library, there are 3 new fantastic programs that will be offered via phone & online, starting Monday, March 30th:

- IDB Read: offered via phone.
Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am – 11:00am
Call in and listen to one of our wonderful volunteer narrators read live on the phone, followed by a short chat about the book.
Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30pm - 4:30pm: with narrator, Christine Mach, read a cozy mystery. The first one is titled "A Scone to Die For" by H.Y. Hanna.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am – 11:00am: with narrator, Bob White, read a western, titled "Sackett’s Land" by Louis L’Amour.
Please call the library at 515-281-1323 to get the conference call number for IDB Read.
We look forward to reading with you!

- Tech Time with Tyler: offered via phone.
Every Wednesday from 8:00am – 11:00am
Call in at 515-452-1343 and get your tech questions answered!

- Braille Bits Online: offered via Zoom (online meeting platform, that is very easy to use, and is accessible from a computer, tablet, or smartphone).
Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:00pm - 2:45pm
We will listen to a Braille Bits podcast and have a fun and lively conversations surrounding all things Braille.
Please contact Denise Bean at 515-452-1338 for more information or to register. You can also register by completing the registration form linked on the library blog at iowalibrary.blog

- Library patrons receiving library cartridges will receive up to 20 titles instead of the library's usual 10 titles. It is our hope that this will help keep you reading as we work through challenging times. You will continue to receive the books you have added to your list and the author and subjects you like – there will just be more titles per cartridge. Feel free to keep the cartridges as long as you need to. We have a video explaining Bookshelf mode on our YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/c/IowaDepartmentfortheBlind

While our building is closed to visitors, we hope that you will stay connected and engaged with IDB through these additional programs. We hope that we can bring a little distraction and some happiness during this uncertain time. If you have any questions, please call the library at 515-281-1323. Stay safe, stay connected and happy reading.

The Iowa Department for the Blind helps educate, train and empower blind and low vision individuals to pursue lifelong goals. With offices in Des Moines and ...

03/27/2020

We are hiring!
As a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor you will be empowering blind and low vision Iowans by providing assistance to obtain, maintain or advance in employment. Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors provide counseling and guidance regarding clients personal and vocational adjustments throughout the rehabilitation process, while assisting clients through informed choice in determining vocational goals and serves as a resource for clients seeking information regarding employment and employment goals. In addition to, connecting clients to training in alternative techniques of blindness in order to make a positive adjustment to blindness and successfully pursue vocational goals.

Please see additional information and qualifications for this position, as well as how to apply:

https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/iowa/jobs/2757505/vocational-rehabilitation-counselor?department[0]=131%20Iowa%20Department%20for%20the%20Blind&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs&sort=PositionTitle%7CAscending&utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

03/25/2020

COVID-19 UPDATE: In an effort to protect the health and safety of both the public and employees, IDB is asking the public not to visit our building until further notice. The majority of staff are now working remotely. Counselors and teachers are refraining from visiting clients but will make every effort to provide as many services as possible via phone and over the internet. Current clients can still call, text, or email their VR counselor or IL teacher. The support and braille learning groups run by Terri Wilcox are working on meeting via phone during this time. We are still taking referrals via phone or through our website.
Library patrons can call or email the library. The library is working to continue to send out cartridges, braille, and large print books as long as we can feasibly do so. Library staff have increased the number of audio books being placed on a multi-book cartridge from 10 to 20 books. Library staff are working on providing online training to teachers, paras, families, and braille learners on braille, creating accessible documents, and other very useful topics. The library is looking to set up phone narrator reading/discussion groups for patrons.
The entire agency is committed to continue as many services as possible via phone and internet and is looking to find additional and innovative ways to do so. We will share additional updates and information as it is available.
Thank you for your patience and flexibility.

03/25/2020

If you are needing work experience, temporarily lost your job, or wanting to make additional money; This is a great resource for openings across the state for temporary positions. *Updated Daily

Temporary job opportunities for employees impacted by COVID-19 closures There are openings across the state for temporary positions. Please see the following companies with temporary openings available. (Updated Daily) Employers with temporary job openings Exceptional Persons, Inc. - Link to job ope...

03/09/2020

Work somewhere delicious 🍔🍟 Five Guys (Ankeny location)and Five Guys (West Des Moines location) will be at the IowaWORKS *Park Fair Mall- 100 E. Euclid #4 Des Moines* on March 11th from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. Open positions include, FT: general managers, shift leads, shift managers and crew members. Apply via: https://www.fiveguys.com/careers