REELife Solutions is conducting outreach on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education's, Office of Special
Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) to attract qualified people with disabilities for a number of full-time positions, as well as for an ongoing applicant pool that can be used for future job openings. I'm writing to
ask your help in getting the word out.
These are great jobs. Take a look. Salaries begin at $37,094 and go all the way up to $95,531. In addition,
OSERS is creating an applicant pool of highly qualified people with disabilities, so even those people who may
not qualify for these particular jobs will be considered for future vacancies.
Too often, we hear the statistic quoted that 68% of working age people with disabilities are unemployed, yet
79% of those unemployed people with disabilities say they would like to work. It would seem that there are no
jobs, or no employers interested in hiring people with disabilities.
This is where you and I come in. Together we can help to bridge the gap between people with disabilities and
one great employer, the U.S. Department of Education, which is seeking to increase the pool of qualified
applicants. At present, OSERS has 11 job openings which it plans to fill before December 31 of this year. It
has the authority to fill another six (6) during the first quarter of 1997.
And the best news yet: They want to hire qualified people with disabilities.
But in order for them to do that, people with disabilities have to apply. I am asking that you take this
information and disseminate it to as many people with disabilities as you can. Send it to all the people with
disabilities you know who might be interested. Then, send it to people with disabilities you think won't be
interested. They may surprise you, or they may be able to pass it on to someone else.
And don't forget the applicant pool. Please encourage any people with disabilities you know who would like to
work for OSERS, either now or in the future, to send in their federal employment application or résumé.
Minorities and women with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
Attached you will find complete job notices for all 17 positions, 11 of which OSERS is seeking to fill now. In
addition, I have taken the liberty to prepare a two-page summary of the positions that can be used to reach your
constituents quickly and inexpensively. Please consider any or all of the following methods of getting the
enclosed information out to members of the disability community:
Fax
E-mail
5891 North First Street Arlington, Virginia 22203-1101 703-908-4800 (Voice/TDD) 703-522-5172 (Fax) E-mail: reelife@erols.comOSERS, page 2
Mail
Newsletter articles (please contact REELife Solutions if you would like us to provide an article for your
use)
Insert the information in your newsletter or mailing
Post the information on your home page
Word of mouth
I have also enclosed a brief overview page that talks about OSERS, federal application procedures, the applicant
pool, and special hiring authorities (these authorities are used by the federal government to recruit and hire
people with disabilities). Individuals wishing to utilize these special hiring authorities should specify that
they have a disability. If you have any general questions regarding this outreach initiative, please do not
hesitate to contact me personally. I can be reached by telephone/TDD at (703) 908-4800 or by e-mail at:
reelife@erols.com.
Specific questions about the positions themselves should be referred to Palmer King or Darlene Thornton at
OSERS. Both can be reached at (202) 205-2723 (Voice) or (202) 205-9436 (TDD).
All applications and résumés must be sent to OSERS at:
U.S. Department of Education
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Attention: Mr. Palmer King, Room 3120
Mary E. Switzer Building
330 C Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-2510
Thank you for your participation in this important outreach initiative. By working together, we can begin to
realize the dream of full inclusion and participation of people with disabilities in our country.
Respectfully,
R. Eddie Espinosa, President
REELife Solutions
What is OSERS?
OSERS is the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, a part of the U.S.
Department of Education. Judy Heumann, one of the most recognized leaders of the independent
living movement, currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of Education for OSERS. OSERS'
mission is to provide leadership in achieving full integration and participation in society for
individuals with disabilities by ensuring equal opportunity and access to and excellence in
education, employment, and community living.
What are Special Hiring Authorities?
In addition to the standard competitive process for selecting applicants for federal
employment, OSERS will be using the federal government's special hiring authorities to
fill the positions whenever possible. These authorities allow the non-competitive
selection of an otherwise qualified candidate for a position, as long as that candidate
has a physical, mental or cognitive disability that can be certified by the Department of
Veterans Affairs or a state vocational rehabilitation agency. This candidate must be
able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable
accommodations.
In addition, there is a special hiring authority that allows the federal government to hire
highly qualified people, such as scientists, scholars, parents of children with disabilities,
administrators, and other professionals without regard to competitive selection
procedures.
What are the Application Procedures?
All applicants will receive consideration regardless of race, age, religion, sex, national
origin, political affiliation, union affiliation or non-affiliation, marital status, non-disqualifying disability, or any other non-merit reason.
To apply, send a resume or a federal employment application to the US Department of
Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, Attention: Mr.
Palmer King, Room 3120, Mary E. Switzer Building, 330 C Street, S.W., Washington,
DC 20202-2510. Note that applicants who wish to be given consideration under the
special hiring authorities provisions are asked to indicate the presence of a disability.
For additional information about a specific job notice, contact Palmer King or Darlene
Thornton of the Department of Education at
(202) 205-2723 (Voice) or (202) 205-9436 (TDD).
Are these the Only Jobs Available?
For the moment, the only positions available at OSERS are those detailed in the job
announcements accompanying this letter. However, OSERS is interested in building a
pool of applicants with disabilities who may be qualified for a variety of jobs that may
come open in the future. Applicants whose qualifications don't fit the current available
positions can become part of the OSERS applicant pool by sending their resumes or
federal employment applications to the address listed above. OSERS Job Vacancies - Brief Descriptions
REELife Solutions of Arlington, VA has been asked to assist the U.S. Department of Education, Office of
Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) in conducting outreach to qualified people with
disabilities for the following 17 job vacancies. Full job notices and application information is available by
contacting OSERS at (202) 205-2723. When requesting job notices, please refer to the job numbers listed
below. People with disabilities, minorities, and women are especially encouraged to apply. OSERS is also
developing a pool of qualified applicants with disabilities for future employment consideration, so
individuals are encouraged to send résumés and applications regardless of interest in these positions.
The specialist serves as coordinator for the Client Assistance Program (CAP) and the
Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights (PAIR) program; monitors grantees for
compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended; assures technical accuracy
of State plans and negotiates changes where necessary; facilitates the development of
innovative approaches to rehabilitation service delivery in assigned functional area of
expertise; maintains liaison with service providers, consumer groups and business
organizations; and provides technical assistance to States related to the Americans with
Disabilities Act, community-based programming, architectural accessibility and client
assessment tools. Serves as a recognized authority on rehabilitation law, policies and
practices in areas of expertise.
Qualifications Preferred:
Progressively responsible experience in: working with Federal laws and regulations and
policies related to rehabilitation programs, particularly CAP and PAIR; communicating
effectively in writing and verbally regarding vocational rehabilitation issues; developing
or reviewing regulations, policies and guidelines pertaining to rehabilitation facilities, the
State-Federal rehabilitation program and in providing technical assistance; and
analyzing, monitoring, and evaluating vocational rehabilitation operations to develop
policies and procedures.
Where To Apply:
Send employment application or resume to U. S. Department of Education, Office of
Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, Room 3120, Mary E. Switzer Building, 330
C. Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2510. For additional information regarding this
announcement, contact Palmer King or Darlene Thornton on 202-205-2723.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services
JOB NOTICE
JOB Number : OSERS PH-14
Position : Education Program Specialist, GS-1720-13
Salary : $52,876 - $68,729
Open Until : Open Until Filled
Description of Duties:
This position is located in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Office of Special Education Programs, Washington, DC.
The specialist serves as a project officer for the Secondary Education and Transitional
Services for Youth with Disabilities Program in OSERS' Office of Special Education
Programs. Provides authoritative leadership and guidance for important special projects
that have significant bearing on the direction and operation of the organization. Advises
managers on important aspects of program operations and interprets program
requirements, criteria, rules and regulations to assist in resolving controversies and
settling issues with the potential for significant policy impact. Initiates, plans, and
provides leadership for national, State and local meetings, seminars, and conferences
to provide training to professional specialists on major program activities.
Qualifications Preferred:
Expert knowledge of special education theories, principles and practices and the roles
of the Federal, State, and local governments sufficient to plan, evaluate, and advise on
funded educational programs, their requirements and problems. Skill relevant to the
analysis, syntheses, interpretation, and aggregation of complex material into cogent oral
and written presentations for national, State, and local audiences.
Where To Apply:
Send employment application or resume to U. S. Department of Education, Office of
Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, Room 3120, Mary E. Switzer Building, 330
C. Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2510. For additional information regarding this
announcement, contact Palmer King or Darlene Thornton on 202-205-2723.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services
JOB NOTICE
Job Number : OSERS PH-15
Position : Education Program Specialist, GS-1720-15
Salary : $73,486 - $95,531
Open Until : Open Until Filled
Description of Duties:
This position is located in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Office of Special Education Programs, Washington, DC.
Provides leadership and guidance to Department of Education and outside officials in
planning, developing, evaluating and carrying out special education mission, legislation
and programs. Provides analytical support and advice on short- and long-range
priorities, strategies and policies; long-term problems resistant to solution; development
and assessment of innovative approaches; and the impact of major legislative and
administrative activities. Resolves major conflicts with other Department of Education
programs, other Federal agencies and organizations. Advises officials on program plans
and priorities that are fundamentally significant in establishing, meeting and evaluating
mission objectives, policies, and overall program goals. Participates in a variety of high-level department- or government-wide task forces and committees, often serving as a
group leader.
Qualifications Preferred:
Mastery of education theories, principles and practices and the roles of federal, state,
and local governments sufficient to: generate and develop new or vastly changed
concepts applied to planning, evaluation and conduct of special education activities; and
plan and execute long-range programs of national scope and significance. Skill in
exerting extraordinary influences on policies, priorities, and activities of the Department
and other organizations, managing special education programs, and participating on
committees concerned with establishing long-term plans and priorities.
Where To Apply:
Send employment application or resume to U. S. Department of Education, Office of
Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, Room 3120, Mary E. Switzer Building, 330
C. Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2510. For additional information regarding this
job notice, contact Palmer King or Darlene Thornton on 202-205-2723.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services
JOB NOTICE
Job Number : OSERS PH-16
Position : Vocational Rehabilitation Program Specialist, GS-101-12
Salary : $44,458 - $57,800
Open Until : Open Until Filled
Description of Duties:
This position is located in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Rehabilitation Services Administration, with a duty station in Atlanta.
The specialist carries out the following duties: monitors State agencies for compliance
with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and provides technical assistance as
needed; assures technical accuracy of State plans and negotiates changes where
necessary; facilitates the development of innovative approaches to rehabilitation service
delivery in assigned functional area of expertise; maintains liaison with service providers,
consumer groups and business organizations; and provides technical assistance to
States related to the Americans with Disabilities Act, community-based programming,
architectural accessibility and client assessment tools.
Qualifications Preferred:
Progressively responsible experience in: working with Federal laws and regulations and
policies related to rehabilitation; communicating effectively orally and in writing and
regarding vocational rehabilitation issues; developing or reviewing regulations, policies
and guidelines pertaining to rehabilitation facilities and the State-Federal rehabilitation
program; and analyzing, monitoring, and evaluating vocational rehabilitation operations
to develop policies and procedures.
Where To Apply:
Send employment application or resume to U. S. Department of Education, Office of
Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, Room 3120, Mary E. Switzer Building, 330
C. Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2510. For additional information regarding this
announcement, contact Palmer King or Darlene Thornton on 202-205-2723.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Special Education & Rehabilitative Services
JOB NOTICE
Job Number : OSERS PH-17
Position : Management Analyst, GS-343-13/14
Salary : GS-13 range: $52,867 - $68,729
GS-14 range: $62,473 - $81,217
Open Until : Open Until Filled
Description of Duties:
This position is located in the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services,
Office of the Assistant Secretary, Washington, DC.
The analyst is responsible for coordinating, monitoring, and overseeing all OSERS'
activities related to policy formulation, program planning, regulations, evaluation, and
grants and contracts. Applies statistical techniques (or econometrics modeling) in
analyzing program operations and trends to produce authoritative, thorough and timely
analytical reports relating to disability programs, concerns and issues. Through use of
microcomputer software, analyst will collect and process data on disability programs to
assess costs, benefits, and long-term effects of program services.
Qualifications Preferred:
Progressively responsible experience in: working with Federal laws and regulations and
policies related to rehabilitation; communicating effectively orally and in writing and
regarding vocational rehabilitation issues; developing or reviewing regulations, policies
and guidelines pertaining to the State-Federal rehabilitation program; and analyzing,
monitoring, and evaluating vocational rehabilitation operations to develop policies and
procedures. Skill in applying statistical techniques and methodology to work products,
or econometrics modeling.
Where To Apply:
Send employment application or resume to U. S. Department of Education, Office of
Special Education & Rehabilitative Services, Room 3120, Mary E. Switzer Building, 330
C. Street, S.W., Washington, DC 20202-2510. For additional information regarding this
announcement, contact Palmer King or Darlene Thornton on 202-205-2723.
