Director of Outreach

Full Job Description

Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process may contact the Recruitment Team at hr@wssb.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

(Logo: Silhouette of Washington State with a lighthouse icon pointing to Vancouver)

The Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) is seeking an Outreach Director/Statewide Vision Consultant to plan, organize, and direct the outreach services component.

The primary responsibility includes directing and collaborating with all of the off-campus services provided as an extension of the school to learners, districts, and families throughout Washington state.

Requirements

Position Overview: This position is responsible for planning, decision-making regarding service needs for blind and low vision learners, strategic staffing, organizational structure, and quality delivery of services to blind and low vision off-campus learners.

This position is also responsible for consultation and evaluative services, organizing statewide professional training and development for educators and families, aligning resources with needs, and serving as an educational consultant to the community of blind and low-vision learners, their families, teachers, and districts.

The primary outcome of the position is to ensure that all blind and low-vision learners have access to educational opportunities within their local districts.

This full-time/permanent position is exempt from state civil service laws and reports directly to the School Superintendent.

The major responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to, the following.

• Provide management, organization, guidance, and leadership for the Outreach Department, including Birth to 5 and the Deafblind Program.
• Serves as the Statewide Vision Consultant in conjunction with Washington Sensory Disability Services.

Serves as Washington State’s Ex-Officio Trustee for the American Printing House for the Blind (APH) for the Washington State Board of Education, with the execution of statewide oversight.

Works with the Ogden Resource Center to ensure the completion of the statewide student registration process, managing and allocating federal quota funds, providing required reports, and attending the annual APH meeting.

• Serves on the statewide review team for high-stakes testing materials with a national testing company and OSPI, to ensure that questions are not visually biased for learners with blindness and visual impairment.
• Serves on the statewide committee as part of WSDS to provide input and direction for future services and program development.
• Participate in all hiring, training, supervising, and evaluating Outreach staff. Facilitates staff development in alignment with program goals and objectives to attend workshops, in-services, meetings, and events in the field of blindness and access technology.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures as they relate to principles and practices of education of blind and low vision learners, itinerant, and consultative services.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws and WACs.
• Ensure appropriate and optimum use of the program's personnel and financial resources.
• Develops and/or disseminates informational training, list-serves, accessible instructional media, current best practices, new products, and upcoming classes.
• Coordinate with local school districts and agencies regarding the need for blind and low vision learners' services.
• Provide training and alignment with the TPEP evaluation protocol for Washington State regarding the special skills for Teachers of Blind and Low Vision Learners.
• Conduct meetings and informational sessions for the requesting public, agencies, districts, and customers to communicate program plans, policies, and general information.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications/Competencies:

• Master’s Degree as required by OSPI (must submit official transcripts showing degrees earned)
• Completion of a state-approved Certification for Education Administration (or near completion of administration program)
• Must have previous successful school-based administration experience in an educational setting
• Hold or obtain a regular, special education teacher certification
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent leadership and management skills and abilities
• Excellent organizational skills
• Understanding of all applicable regulations, laws, and procedures in special education
• Strong knowledge of all accessible instructional media, especially for the blind and low vision individuals
• Extensive knowledge about current philosophies and theories in education and special education
• Knowledge and training in working with a wide range of students and individuals who are blind/low vision.
• Ability to work in partnership with numerous agencies and organizations to streamline and improve statewide services for students who are blind/low vision.
• Knowledge of and experience with IDEA, Part C, regulations, and services.
• Knowledge and skill in a range of assessments and practices appropriate for students with vision loss.
• A background check is required
• The ability to learn and grow, and the ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Desired Qualifications:

• Completed Education Administration Certified
• Certification in TPEP/Danielson Framework

Note: The full salary range has been posted for informational purposes only.

Typically, new hires do not start at the top of the range without State of Washington experience in a similarly situated position, as these are considered longevity steps.

This position is remote optional depending on state of residence.

Additional Information

What we offer: The WSSB campus is 13.2 acres and is on the National Register of Historic Places. It not only includes state-of-the-art classrooms but a fitness center with a saline pool and new rock-climbing wall, track & field, auditorium, LIFTT program offering dorm-style housing, and much more!

WSSB affords employees all the benefits of state service (such as PEBB benefits and PERS retirement plan) while remaining small enough to know fellow staff by name!

WSSB prides itself on its mission-driven environment as we seek to empower blind and low vision individuals to reach their full potential.

How to apply: To begin the online application process, click the 'Apply' button at the top of this announcement. To be considered for this position, you must include the following information in your online application and complete any supplemental questionnaire(s).

• A completed online application profile that includes education and employment history (applications that state "see my resume" or similar language on the application may be considered incomplete); and,
• Provide and allow contact for three professional references included in the application. This must include at least one supervisor. All reference and employer contact information must be up-to-date and complete.

For security purposes, attachments will not be opened.

If you have a cover letter and/or resume, letters of recommendation, or other documents of a similar nature that you wish to share, you may bring them to any scheduled interview.

You will be reminded to submit official transcripts and certifications at the time of your scheduled interview.

Please remove or black out personally identifiable information (such as social security number, date of birth, photos, educational years or dates, salary history, etc.) from any submissions on your application.

For questions or information regarding the online application, please email hr@wssb.wa.gov.

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 in accordance with state and Federal laws regardless of religion, race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, familial status, pregnancy/childbirth or related medical conditions, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, 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.

Background inquiries of convictions and pending criminal charges will be conducted for all positions.

Background checks 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, and a background check will be conducted at the applicant's expense after a conditional offer of employment has been made.

Failure to complete the authorization and background check shall disqualify the applicant from employment in these positions.

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 the application process, may call (360) 696-6321 and ask to speak to Human Resources or email hr@wssb.wa.gov.

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