Teacher Of Students With Blindness/Low Vision And Orientation & Mobility

Student-Centered   Equity   Accessibility   Relationships   Continuous Improvement

Striving to educate blind and visually impaired children for independence and success!

The Washington State School for the Blind provides specialized quality educational services to youth ages birth to 21 within the state of Washington. Our purpose is to serve as a statewide demonstration and resource center and provide direct and indirect services to students both on campus and in the children's local communities. Each employee plays a critical role for the school and our students. We value our employees and continuously encourage them to improve the way we provide service to our students and the community.

The Teacher of Students with Blindness/Low Vision and Orientation & Mobility will travel to and cover the Olympia, WA region.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Perform or facilitate necessary learning media assessments: functional vision, technology, and orientation & mobility; 

• Provide direct and consultative services as per Individual Education Plans (IEP); 

• Provide workshops and in-services as needed to assist families and school district personnel in understanding the unique needs of the visually impaired learner; 

• Assist districts in obtaining necessary alternative format materials and equipment as identified through the IEP process; 

• Work collaboratively with families, students and district personnel to develop IEP goals and objectives in the expanded core curriculum. Expanded core curriculum addresses the following areas:

• Compensatory skills, including braille and literacy

• Assistive Technology

• Independent living

• Career and vocational education

• Recreation and leisure skills

• Social Interaction skills

• Self-Determination

• Orientation and Mobility

• Sensory Efficiency

• Prepare meaningful instruction geared to the student's assessed needs, as identified in the IEP; 

• Provide consultation to classroom teachers and other involved personnel, and adapt materials as needed to enable the learner to benefit from instruction; and, 

• Maintain ongoing communication with all parties involved in the student's education, including the parents.

Working Conditions:

• Constant travel due to providing services to multiple school districts; and, 
• Must be able to sit and stand for long periods of time, walk long distances, and have the ability to respond to emergent situations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in educational or other relevant field of study; 
• Current Washington State Teaching Certificate, or can obtain a Washington State Teaching Certificate; 
• Certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired from an accredited and nationally recognized university program; 
• Must have Unified English Braille Exam (UEB) certification or Library of Congress certification, or be able to obtain either within one year of hire date.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Teacher of Visually Impaired Learner/Orientation & Mobility program; 
• Teaching experience as an itinerant teacher of the visually impaired; 
• Experience working with children with multiple disabilities including blindness; and/or, 
• Orientation & Mobility Certification.

Key Competencies:

• Excellent communication and organizational skills; 
• Effective time management skills; 
• Ability to set high expectations that support the acquisition of student's independence and success; 
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups; and, 
• Ability to work independently.

Note: This position is slated to begin in the Fall of 2024 (with limited training days beginning approximately July/August 2024).  This position is open until filled. The hiring manager reserves the right to make a hiring decision at any time so apply early for best consideration.  The annual salary for this position is paid in accordance with the Vancouver School District salary schedule and is therefore based on education and experience for 180 days per school calendar year. The VSD salary schedule is subject to change and potentially increase in the fall for the 2024/2025 school year. Teachers are not eligible for the vacation or holidays listed in the Benefits tab.How to apply:

In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile or paste into the "text resume" field:

• A letter of interest describing how you meet the qualifications for this position;

• A detailed chronological resume or a completed on-line application profile that includes education and employment history (applications that state "see my resume" or similar language on the application will be considered incomplete); and,

• Three professional references, including at least one supervisor, with current contact information.

Should you have any questions regarding the online application, please email Kristina.Bader@wssb.wa.gov.

Union Inclusion:

This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA).

Opportunity for All: 

The Washington State School for the Blind celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws (please see note below).

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Veterans Preference:

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security number. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.  We thank you and are grateful for your service!

Additional Information:  

The state of Washington is an equal-opportunity employer.  Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application, or that need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 947-3311. Should you have any questions regarding this position, or the online application, please email Kristina.Bader@wssb.wa.gov. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

NOTE:  Background inquiries of convictions and pending criminal charges shall be completed on applicants prior to their appointment to positions in the state of Washington which are directly responsible for the supervision, care or treatment of children. Information obtained from background inquiries will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant's character, suitability, and competence to perform in the position applied for and may result in the denial of employment. Applicants are required to sign a release authorizing inquiry. Failure to do so shall disqualify the applicant from employment in these positions.