School Support Associate - Blind Skills Specialist

State of Missouri; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 55,533 - 67,874; Full time

Job summary

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking a School Support Associate – Blindness Skills Specialist for the Missouri School for the Blind to develop and coordinate a vision impairment program available at each regional PD center.

The role interfaces with districts, provides IEP-based recommendations, delivers in‑service training, and supports technology integration for eligible students. Travel is required to collaborate with regional staff and educators.

Qualifications

• Certification required for orientation and mobility or vision impairment specialization.

Responsibilities

• Act as a resource for school districts under the regional office of professional development regarding eligible students.
• Make programming and placement recommendations to schools using assessments developed within the IEP process.
• Provide in‑service training in blindness techniques for teachers and classroom staff.
• Provide parents with referrals and information regarding services.
• Coordinate services from other entities serving eligible students and their families.
• Assist and support local districts in providing special education and related services.
• Support the application of appropriate technology in education for eligible students.
• Develop and deliver regionally and statewide in‑service training addressing blindness skills and daily living skills.
• Report yearly to the Blind Task Force on essential functions.
• Prepare written reports of services for students with vision impairments including deafblindness.
• Collaborate with Outreach staff on VIISA and INSITE programs.

Education

Certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist or certification in the area of Vision Impairments

Job description

School Support Associate - Blindness Skills Specialist - Missouri School for the Blind

Job Posting Number: 4040010

Salary: $61,704

Job Location: St. Louis or other state office located in Missouri School for the Blind/Blind Skill Specialist region (South of Jefferson county to New Madrid county and counties westward). For specific region information see: https://dese.mo.gov/media/pdf/msb-outreach-servicesblind-skills-specialists-service-delivery-areas

Why You'll Love This Position

The Blindness Skill Specialist (BSS), under the division of special education within the department of elementary and secondary education, shall develop and coordinate a program to provide a blindness skills specialist available at each regional professional development center.

What You'll Do

• Act as a resource for school districts under the regional office of professional development with regard to eligible students.
• Make programming and placement recommendations to schools under the regional office of professional development using assessments and information developed within the IEP process.
• Provide in‑service training in alternative techniques of blindness to classroom teachers and teacher assistants for the blind engaged in the education of eligible students.
• Provide parents of eligible students with referrals and information regarding services available within the state.
• Coordinate services available from other entities who serve eligible students and the families of eligible students.
• Assist and support local school districts in providing special education and related services for eligible students.
• Support the application of appropriate technology in the education of eligible students.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of in‑service training, regionally and statewide, which responds to the needs of educators, other professionals and parents pertaining to the needs of eligible students, which include, but are not limited to, high expectations with regard to academic and vocational performance, facilitation of the discussions of Braille instruction during IEP conferences, introduction of appropriate technology, development of blindness skills and daily living skills.
• Report yearly to the Blind Task Force on essential functions.
• Prepare written reports of services with appropriate instructional strategies and methodology recommendations for students suspected of a vision impairment including deafblindness.
• Collaborate with Outreach staff in provision of Visual Impairment Inservice in America (VIISA), In‑home Sensory Impaired Training for Educators (INSITE) and other Outreach professional development.
• Travel is required.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum educational requirements as defined by House Bill Chapter 162.1133 and the BRITE Act, 167.225 Sections 9(4) and 10(3) of RSMo MO Revised Statute 167.225.
• Certification as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist or certification in the area of Vision Impairments.

More Reasons To Love This Position

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you have questions about this position please contact: [e-mail]

Equal Opportunity and Affimitive Action Employer

Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Human Resources at [phone], through Missouri Relay System at [phone], or via email at [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by statute in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to Department employment practices may be directed to the Jefferson State Office Building, Human Resources Director, 8th floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0480; telephone number 573-751-9619 or TTY 800-735-2966.

To Our Applicants with Disabilities

For assistance with any phase of the Department process, please notify the Director of Human Resources at [phone]. Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate special needs. TTY/TDD Relay Missouri service [phone].

Notice to Applicants

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is unable to sponsor applicants in their application for work visas through INS. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources.