In 2017, Keystone Vocational Services secured a Federal contract through a partnership with National Industries for the Blind through the Ability One Program to provide mailroom and courier services to an Agency with a heavy presence in Western Pennsylvania. This opportunity allowed Keystone to hire a significant amount of individuals who are blind to perform the duties under this contract. In addition, Keystone has partnered with another agency who employs individuals with significant disabilities to work in collaboration with our individuals to meet the needs of the contract. The duties and responsibilities under this contract include:
- Receive, sort, stage and deliver all material and packages received into the mailroom for both incoming and outgoing mail processes.
- Consolidate mailings to support cost savings to the program as identified in the approved contract process guidelines.
- Copy, Scan, and retain documents as designated within the contract process guidelines to support multiple processes.
- Access data through an electronic database to verify, update, and route material appropriately in both hard copy and electronic processes.
- Manifest identified material for tracking purposes.
- Utilize tracking systems for identified material and totes-maintaining tracking and custodial records.
- Maintain constant biohazard awareness and follow appropriate handling procedures.
- Assist with and maintain the operation of mailroom equipment that covers the insertion, sortation, and extraction of mail pieces in various stages.
- Provide preventive maintenance on all mailroom equipment up to and including service calls and logs when needed.
- Full mail processing center operations
- Track all material for document destruction in totes from time of pick-up until destruction in secured facility.
These positions have been identified as competitive integrated employment opportunities for legally blind individuals. These positions are for qualified applicants in an integrated, permanent full-time work environment. Qualified applicants are those who meet the definition of legal blindness with a visual acuity of 20/200 in the best corrected eye or less than 20 degree visual field. Applicants must be willing to undergo a thorough and extensive background check, which includes a credit and criminal background check, in addition to a drug screening. Once applicants have been prescreened, they will be required to undergo a more thorough federal background check to receive approval to work under the contract. This is done by completing an SF86 questionnaire, and by having an investigative background check completed in accordance with the approved Federal investigative process. In addition, all candidates must be citizens of the United States, either by birth or naturalized.