Outreach Director, LA School for the Visually Impaired

Grambling State University; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired seeks an Outreach Director for VI/O&M to lead outreach programs and supervise instructors. The role includes direct service delivery, caseload maintenance and program coordination.

The position involves budgeting, contracts, interagency collaborations and travel to support VI students and families. A Louisiana O&M certification and valid driver’s license are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher with emphasis in orientation and mobility/VI.
• Lousiana Ancillary Certification in Orientation and Mobility eligibility or holding.
• COMS or NOMC orientation and mobility certification.
• Knowledge of needs of visually impaired; Braille, adaptive tech and low vision aids.
• Ability to use computer systems for data management and information storage.
• Driver’s license and willingness to travel; Safe Driver certification.

Responsibilities

• Supervise Outreach Instructors and ensure services run smoothly.
• Provide direct services to VI and O&M programs and maintain caseload.
• Develop budgets, contracts, interagency agreements and reports.
• Maintain records and ensure confidentiality of information.
• Provide educational leadership for O&M and VI Outreach Programs.
• Coordinate interagency agreements to facilitate FAPE for VI students.

Skills

Data management

Driver's license

Grant writing

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or higher in rehabilitation, education or related field with emphasis in orientation and mobility and/or Visual Impairments

Louisiana Ancillary Certification in Orientation and Mobility

COMS or NOMC orientation and mobility certification

Certification in Visual Impairments in Louisiana

Dual certification in Orientation and Mobility

CDL with Bus Driver Endorsement

Braille skills or certification

Job description

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities.

The Louisiana Special Schools are experiencing a critical shortage of certified teachers, school counselors, interpreters and educators of the Deaf or hard of hearing.

OUTREACH DIRECTOR for the LA SCHOOL FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED

This is a full time 12 months and 8 hours per day position.

To be filled immediately. Position #50469231

The Outreach Director for VI/O&M will be responsible for direct supervision of the Outreach Instructors to ensure that services are being provided as directed and the program runs smoothly. The Outreach Director will also be responsible for providing direct services for VI and O&M to students as well and will maintain a current caseload. Refer to Job Specifications.

The Louisiana Special Schools do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in our programs and activities, and we provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination may be referred to Mary Gloston, Human Resources Director at [e-mail].

RELEASE OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION INFORMATION: La. R.S. 17:3884(D) requires that any school board wishing to hire a person who has been assessed or evaluated pursuant to the Children First Act, La. R.S. 17:3871, et seq., whether that person is already employed by that school system or not, shall request such person's assessment and evaluation results as part of the application process. Please be advised that, as part of the mandated process, your previous assessment and evaluation results will be requested. You have the opportunity to apply, review the information received, and provide any response or information you deem appropriate.

Physical Activity Level

The employee must be able to perform assigned duties without significant risk of substantial harm to his/her own safety/security and the safety/security of others. Some work is performed in physically comfortable positions with little or light physical effort, and some work requires moderate effort. Physical requirements are subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA standards.

There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed. Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected.

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in rehabilitation, education or related field with emphasis in orientation and mobility and/or Visual Impairments.
• Eligible for or currently holds Louisiana Ancillary Certification in Orientation and Mobility as outlined in Part CXXI, Title 28/Education; Bulletin 746-Louisiana Standards for State Certification of School Personnel; Chapter 4, Subchapter A-410 or Visual Impairments
• COMS or NOMC orientation and mobility certification

• Knowledge of specialized programmatic needs of the visually impaired (orientation and mobility, adaptive daily living skills, Braille, adaptive technology and low vision aids).
• Must have the ability to use computer systems for data management and information storage and retrieval.
• A current Driver’s License and the ability to be certified through the State Safe Driver Program. Must furnish personal, reliable transportation to perform the job duties. Travel is required in this position.

Preferential Skill Areas or Certifications

• Certified or able to obtain certification in Visual Impairments in the State of Louisiana
• Dual certification in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) is preferred or the willingness to obtain O&M certification
• Experience in a school or program working with visually impaired individuals
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) with Bus Driver Endorsement
• Braille skills or certification
• Grant writing skills

Managerial Responsibilities

• Implements policies and regulations mandated by SSD and other state and federal regulatory agencies; assists in the development of policies and procedures affecting the school; implements school philosophy and programs; develops and establishes long range strategic plans.
• Prepares budgets, projects, contracts, interagency agreements and reports as directed.
• Manages and supervises the facilities and vehicles assigned to the Outreach Orientation and Mobility Specialist and Teacher’s of the Visually Impaired including the preparation of purchase orders for supplies, materials and equipment and the monitoring of maintenance and repairs.
• Exhibits knowledge of special education rules and regulations associated with implementation of state and federal laws.
• Exhibits understanding of children with disabilities and their needs, especially Those with visual impairments served by the school.
• Demonstrates awareness of specialists, agencies and organizations that serve children with disabilities and their families, especially individuals who are visually impaired.
• Demonstrates appropriate and effective office management skills such as planning, organizing and implementing.
• Exercises good judgment in making decisions.
• Maintains complete and accurate records including children’s record logs, professional contacts, weekly reports, expense account forms and inventory records and exercises confidentiality of information in accordance with requirements of the law.
• Maintains a positive relationship with professional associates, state and local agencies, the community and the parents of the students.
• Demonstrates appropriate teaching techniques, strategies and methodologies.
• Demonstrates effective student management skills and maintains appropriate student-adult relationships.
• Demonstrates appropriate and effective interpersonal skills.

Programmatic Responsibilities

• Provides educational leadership and expertise in developing, implementing and monitoring the Orientation and Mobility and Vision Impaired Outreach Programs for the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired (LSVI).
• Secures cost sharing interagency agreements for LSVI with local education agencies to facilitate the provision of FAPE to visually impaired students in their jurisdiction.
• Serves as Child Search Coordinator and facilitates child search activities; promotes an ongoing public awareness program and provides in-service training programs.
• Administers prescribed pre- and post-tests to evaluate students’ progress and participate in IEP/ITP development and documentation for student services.
• Develops, organizes, and promotes special events, camps, and workshops for LSVI students/parents and for VI students/parents statewide. Events include but not limited to … White Cane Safety Day, SCASB Events, Space Camp (Huntsville, AL), Close-UP (Washington, DC), Snow Skiing (Breckenridge, CO), Homecoming Activities, Kinder Kamp, Spring Festival/Art and Talent Show, Prom Activities and Summer Camps.
• Provides appropriate early intervention services through home/on site visitations to parents and students who are visually impaired.
• Develops curricula and materials to meet the needs of children who are visually impaired and their families.
• Demonstrates appropriate and effective skills in Braille, orientation and mobility, adaptive technology and low vision aids.
• Serves as resource person, consultant and liaison to local education agency personnel and local community agencies responsible for meeting the needs of children who are visually impaired and their parents, e.g., provision of services, appropriate follow-up and home/school activities.
• Participates in transition activities including evaluations and tours of school programs where appropriate.
• Collaborates with area schools, community and service organizations, and volunteer groups to foster interaction and participation opportunities with LSVI and statewide VI students.
• Develops and promotes blind/visually impaired sensitivity training as requested for all LSDVI staff and relevant volunteer groups.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises the itinerant Orientation and Mobility and Vision Impaired instructors and schedules their caseload assignments.
• Demonstrates human relations and supervisory skills with which to develop and maintain a cohesive, common-purpose staff and to supervise subordinates.
• Monitors teacher lesson plans in accordance with student Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and program curricula.
• Plans and conducts applicable in-service training and workshops for LSVI staff and parents as needed and requested.
• Delegates responsibility as appropriate and promotes the administrative team concept.
• Conducts performance evaluations with staff according to required timelines and maintains evaluation records and reports as mandated.
• Ensures that teachers prepare and maintain all required student files, correspondence, evaluations, and records.
• Provides for staff development.
• Coordinates O&M and TVI internship opportunities with various university programs as needed and requested.

Professional Conduct

• Demonstrates dependability, reliability and punctuality in attendance and in meeting obligations.
• Exhibits professional ethics.
• Exhibits initiative and recognizes and follows established communication channels.
• Assumes responsibility for professional growth.
• May be required to develop and implement a Professional Growth Plan in consultation with the designated supervisor.
• May be required to complete a self-evaluation.
• Exhibits willingness to accept and use suggestions for improvement.
• Uses time effectively.
• Participates in school-sponsored activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.