Coordinator, RI Vision Education and Services

Rhode Island College; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Benefits and Rewards for Wellness Incentives

Job summary

Rhode Island College seeks a Coordinator for the Vision Services Program in Providence, RI. This role involves managing program activities, professional development for teachers, and ensuring services for visually impaired students.

The ideal candidate holds a Master’s Degree related to education, possesses a valid administrator certification, and has experience in special education program management. This full-time role offers comprehensive health benefits and is grant-funded.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a discipline related to education required.
• Minimum of three years’ experience managing programs for children with special education needs.
• Knowledge of state and federal special education laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate management and administrative activities of the Rhode Island Vision Services Program.
• Develop and maintain an accurate census of children who are blind and/or visually impaired.
• Coordinate professional development activities for Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments.

Skills

Knowledge of Early Intervention and Special Education systems in Rhode Island

Effective communication skills – oral and written

Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to special education

Strong organizational skills

Ability to collaborate with professionals and families

Education

Master’s Degree in a discipline related to education

Valid RI Building Administrator and/or District Level Administrator: Special Education Certification

Job description

Coordinator, RI Vision Education and Services

Please be advised that Rhode Island College is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must have authorization to work in the US without the need for employer sponsorship.

Position Overview

The Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities at Rhode Island College invites applications for the Vision Services Coordinator. The Coordinator will coordinate management and administrative activities of the Rhode Island Vision Services Program. The Center, founded in 1993, is a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) that advances policies, practices, and research to improve the well‑being of people with disabilities, their families, and communities. The mission of the Center is to promote participation of individuals with disabilities in school, work, and the community.

Primary Purpose

The individual will coordinate activities of the Rhode Island Vision Services Program.

• Develop, maintain, and report an accurate census of children (birth‑22) who are blind and/or visually impaired in Rhode Island.
• Develop strategies for continuous tracking of population changes and needs, including workload analysis for proper resource allocation.
• Coordinate professional development activities for the Rhode Island Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVIs) and other TVIs employed by agencies other than the state.
• Supervise, evaluate, and provide support to the TVIs and Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialists (COMs) using an RIDE‑approved evaluation system.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate a system for collecting information on outcomes for children who are blind and/or visually impaired, to evaluate service effectiveness.
• Design, implement, and assess a system linking vision services with instructional initiatives and standards of local school districts.
• Serve as the liaison connecting the Rhode Island Department of Education Office of Student, Community, and Academic Support, the Rhode Island Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Intervention, and the Rhode Island Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation Services, Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI).
• Report to the Rhode Island Department of Education Office of Student, Community, and Academic Support, the Rhode Island Department of Health and Human Services Office of Early Intervention, and the Rhode Island Department of Human Services Office of Rehabilitation Services, Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (SBVI) as required.
• Identify and develop grant proposals to support current and future initiatives.
• Provide technical assistance to the Rhode Island Department of Education Office of Student, Community, and Academic Support on matters such as the accessibility of state assessments, certification requirements of TVIs, and other related issues.
• Act as the Ex Officio Trustee and manage the federal quota account and materials designated by the Rhode Island Department of Education. Develop written policies and procedures for the program.

Occasional Duties

• Travel to schools, early intervention sites, community sites, and other agencies as needed.
• Provide professional development to various service providers.
• Conduct community outreach.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities assigned by the Director, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Early Intervention and Special Education systems in Rhode Island.
• Knowledge of the RI Teacher Evaluation System.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to special education.
• Knowledge of research on best practices for educating children who are blind and/or visually impaired.
• Knowledge of strategies for assessing the programmatic needs of children who are blind and/or visually impaired.
• Knowledge of strategies for monitoring program effectiveness.
• Ability to collaborate with professionals and families.
• Effective communication skills – oral and written.
• Familiarity with Education Union Contracts.
• Ability to manage electronic data using databases and spreadsheets.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Understanding of school systems, including educational programs for students, data collection, and organization structure and function.
• Understanding of the sensitivity of information and the ability to handle confidential information.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Required Qualifications

Education: Master’s Degree in a discipline related to education and a valid RI Building Administrator and/or District Level Administrator: Special Education Certification. Experience in needs assessment, outcome measurement, and evaluation of teachers working with special populations.

In lieu of an administrative certificate, a candidate must have a minimum of three years’ experience implementing and managing programs for children with special education needs, as well as knowledge of state and federal special education laws, regulations, and policies. This may include serving as an LEA at the building level and/or providing technical assistance to districts, programs, and teachers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as a District Level Special Education Administrator and/or approved RI Department of Education Teacher Evaluator.

Benefits

Full‑time employee benefits include:

• Comprehensive Health Benefits and Rewards for Wellness Incentives.

Reports To (Title): Director, Paul V. Sherlock Center on Disabilities.

FLSA: Exempt.

Salary Grade: 12NC.

Position Status: Grant‑funded.

Environmental Conditions: The employee is not exposed to known adverse environmental conditions.

EEO Statement

Rhode Island College is an equal opportunity employer. The institution does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law. Rhode Island College is committed to maintain a workplace and educational environment that supports equal opportunity, professionalism, and respectful engagement for all community members.