Visual Impairment Specialist - Rio Grande Valley (24-25) - IDEA Public Schools

VI Specialist

Academic Service Team

Role Mission

The IDEA Visual Impairment Specialist (VI) demonstrates knowledge and skill in assessment, eligibility for Special Education Visual Impairment, academic interventions for students with Visual Impairments, state and federal legal frameworks for Special Education, and ensure compliance with Special Education related to their work as a VI teacher. The IDEA VI Specialist will oversee support and case management of students with Visual Impairments as primary disabilities and secondary disabilities. In addition, the VI teacher will help track student progress towards goals along with compliance goals.  

Location

This is a full-time position based in the Rio Grande Valley, with preference given to candidates who live in the region or are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectation

May travel 40% or less at the busiest times of the year to attend conferences or trainings.

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:
 

• Develop IEP goals for VI  
• Ensure VI IEP services are being provided as indicated in the ARD. 
• Meet 100% compliance in VI Annual ARDs and ensure all paperwork is submitted in a timely manner. 
• Works in conjunction with other providers to ensure completion of all ARD paperwork in a timely manner. 
• Follows correct procedures for maintaining records and services.  
• Ensure all VI services are tracked  
• Complete VI service notes per session 
• Track VI Indirect services  
• Consult and train teachers and other school staff in visual impairments. 
• Consult and train parents in visual impairments.  
• Train teachers & school staff in brailing
• Provide support with getting up to date Eye-Medical from the Ophthalmologist or Optometrist  
• Completes a Functional Visual Evaluation in accordance with current guidelines.  
• Completes evaluation in Frontline Management System 
• Tracks that evaluations stay within the 3 year timelines. 
• Provide support to 504 Point Person for students with suspected visual impairments.  
• Provides support for RTI for students with suspected visual impairments
• Complete yearly VI registration 
• Ensure VI budget is utilized to purchase needed equipment 
• Maintain communication with the Regional Service Centers  
• Maintain communication with the school for the blind 
• Maintain all certification requirements 
   

What You Bring-Competencies

Knowledge and Skills:

• Emotional Intelligence – a job requires a high level of emotional intelligence for interacting with national partners and regional leaders
• Integrity – job requires being honest and ethical.
• Initiative – job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities, challenges, and share opinions and direction without hesitation.
• Stress Tolerance – job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress financial situations
• Dependability – job requires being reliable, responsible, dependable, and fulfilling obligations for all states
• Achievement/Effort – job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks
• Independence – job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with littler or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done
• Self-Control – job requires maintaining composure and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in difficult situations
• Attention to Detail – job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks
• Dependability/Consistency – job requires timely delivery on all commitments
• Anticipatory – job requires thinking ahead and preparing for likely next steps or outcomes
• Experience translating data and metrics into action
• Demonstrable experience managing high-profile contracts and budgets
• Must have demonstrated experience in strategy, analysis, project management, and interacting/influencing leaders.
• Written and verbal communication

Qualifications and Experience:

• Education: Bachelors Degree required
• Certifications: Certification as a Visual Impairment Teacher
• Experience: At least 1 year of providing services to students with Visual Impairments required, 3 years preferred

Physical Requirements

• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Lifting items weighing 15 lbs. or less
• Sedentary office environment

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $70,532-$82,170, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Culture and Belonging Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values