Braille Transcriber

The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking applicants for the position of Braille Transcriber for the Iowa Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (ILBPD). This position is responsible for providing library and braille services by producing, coordinating, and delivering appropriate braille and tactile image services, transcribing, and embossing a broad range of materials, producing associated tactile images and providing training/information to individuals.

Duties and responsibilities to include the following:

Braille Production

• Produces braille and E-Text documents using direct 6-key entry, scanning, word processing, and braille translation software.
• 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.
• Interprets braille rules to determine proper formatting and usage.
• Creates braille documents based on print material by (1) keying in text; (2) scanning printed material and using optical character recognition software to create text documents; (3) importing existing electronic documents; (4) transcribing in braille through 6-key entry; or (5) a combination of methods.
• Translates documents into braille using translation software.
• Embosses braille documents and tactiles using braille embossers.
• Creates tactiles using a CorelDraw
• Uses a Tactile Image Enhancer or creates tactiles by hand.
• Reads braille to review final hard-copy braille for format, quality and completion.
• Completes braille projects by: bursting and binding materials, use of forms-cutter, interleaving tactiles, inserting print title pages and use of the comb binder.
• Assists in proofreading of braille materials.
• Organizes and tracks materials in the library's Production Tracking System.
• Explains braille rules and proofreading corrections to volunteer certified braillists.

Instructional Materials Center and Patron Services

• Explains services and interprets eligibility requirements to parents, students, counselors, teachers, and other professionals.
• Assist in researching and ordering materials for Instructional Material Center requests.
• Searches library collection, on-line databases, and other sources to determine if materials are available in requested media.
• Assists in receiving and prioritizing Braille requests based on established guidelines.
• Provide Reader Advisory services to patrons by conducting reference and reader advisory interviews to guide patrons to reading materials and information resources.
• Work regularly scheduled shifts at the Information Desk, as well as substituting as needed.

Outreach and Education

• Participates in library and department projects and programs.
• Represents the Library at outreach event(s) including conferences, displays, information booths, and open houses.

Minimum Qualification and Special Requirements

Proficiency in Unified English Braille (UEB) literary code and transcription; Experience in UEB with Nemeth and computerized braille transcription; Proficiency in braille formats.

What We Offer

• Team-oriented, positive work environment
• Excellent affordable benefit package
• Paid holidays plus vacation and sick time
• Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) retirement plan
• Optional retirement savings 457 plan with employer contributions
• Employee discount programs

Compensation

The hiring salary range is $44, $66,123.20 and starting pay is determined by meeting minimum qualifications. You begin at the lower range, with potential increases based on each year of related experience above the minimum qualifications.

Schedule

Monday through Friday 8:00am – 4:30p with some evenings and weekend hours for special programming held throughout the year.

Four years of Brailling work experience or volunteer with formal training in literary, Nemeth or computerized Braille transcription with possession of a Library of Congress Certificate of Proficiency in Literary Braille.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description. (Download PDF reader)

Positions allocated to this class may be required to acquire a Certificate of Proficiency in Nemeth.