Job Openings

Francis Howell School District

02/25/2019

JOB SUMMARY/PURPOSE:

The Francis Howell School District is seeking a dual-certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) and ACVREP Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) to assist in meeting the education needs of students who are blind or visually impaired. The successful candidate will provide direct instruction and/or consultation for children with visual impairments in the classroom, community, and homebound environments. The students range in age from preschool through high school (up to age 21)  receiving public education in a variety of educational placements. The cognitive levels of students range from severely impaired to gifted and talented. Because the position is itinerant and requires travel, the candidate must have a valid Driver’s License, reliable transportation, and auto insurance allowing the transport of students for instruction and consultation in the Expanded Core Curriculum and/or orientation and mobility.

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION

·         Minimum of bachelor’s degree in special education or related field with a valid Missouri certification (TVI) to teach students who are visually impaired. Prefer graduates from AERBVI Accredited Universities.

·         Minimum of bachelor’s degree in special education or related field with a valid Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) certification in Orientation and Mobility (COMS). Prefer graduates from AERBVI Accredited Universities.

KNOWLEDGE

·         Work requires independent utilization of personal computers, copy machine, fax machine, printer, Braille embosser, Tactile Graphic embosser, tactile graphics, optical character recognition software, Braille software, screen reading software, screen magnification software, and universal accessibility options for PC, MAC and/or iOS devices.

·         Understanding of vision-related instruction and services to meet individualized educational needs across the home, school and community environments.

·         Knowledge of accessible educational materials, adaptations, modifications, and equipment to meet the needs for all students, teachers, and staff to maximize participation in all classroom activities.

·         Ability to assist and advise District personnel regarding environmental adaptations based on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as well as Individualized Education Program (IEP) accommodations and modifications.

·         Ability to seek, gain, and maintain professional development regarding current research, development, technology and preferred practices including effective teaching strategies, tools, and equipment.

EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH

·         Children with Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI)

·         Refreshable Braille displays and/or Braille CPU devices for students with visual impairments

·         GPS and orientation aids which promote travel skills for students with visual impairments preferred.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1.        Work with local educational staff in developing and implementing Individual Education Plans (IEPs) including Transition Plans and 504 Accommodation Plans for students with visual impairments.

2.       Understand and follow policies and procedures for special education eligibility and due process based on State and Federal laws.

3.       Conduct vision-related initial and re-evaluations in the areas of Functional Vision, Learning Media, Cortical Visual Impairment, Assistive Technology, and Orientation & Mobility.

4.      Promote communication, collaboration, and consultation with students, parents, faculty, staff, and members of the community.

5.       Perform and write high-quality Functional Vision, Learning Media, Cortical Visual Impairment, Assistive Technology, Expanded Core Curriculum and/or Orientation and Mobility Assessments for students with visual impairments.

6.      Possess skills for the reading, writing, and preparation of UEB, EBAE, and Nemeth Braille codes including tactile graphics and accessible media. Preference is given to candidates with knowledge/experience of Braille Music.

7.       Select, design and/or modify specialized curriculum for students with visual impairments to be used in the home, school and community settings including instruction in Braille, low vision devices, assistive technologies, orientation & mobility (if applicable) and all areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum.

8.      Design and implement individual education programs based on assessment and observations and maintain current data to document and evaluate progress.

9.      Coordinate material and equipment distribution and maintenance including access, assistive and specialized low and high-technologies.

10.    Collaborate with general education and/or special education teachers and other school personnel to develop and implement instructional programs designed for students with visual impairments.

11.     Confer and collaborate with school personnel regarding travel needs related to students with visual impairments.

12.    Provide in-service training to school staff about the educational impact of blindness and vision loss including required accommodations and modifications.

13.    Provide community resources and information to school personnel, students and families.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

·         Requires a flexible work schedule to accommodate varying start/end school times and community-based instruction including the need for night lessons for orientation and mobility.

·         Requires extensive standing, sitting, crouching, and walking in various indoor and outdoor environments. Work requires frequent lifting, carrying, moving, reaching, bending/stooping, grasping, and driving on a daily basis.

·         Work is performed across multiple settings including, but not limited to: indoor and outdoor school campus; General and/or Special Education classrooms; Material/Braille preparation offices; and various indoor and outdoor community locations. The time of day varies based on instructional and consultative needs and may occur at dawn, day, dusk and/or night time. Work role requires transporting oneself and/or students to schools and other community locations in the metropolitan area. Work demands a variety of clothing and accessories for average or extreme heat and cold, which are the responsibility of the employee.

E_mail: edward.rodgers@fhsdschools.org

Phone: 636-851-4034

Cert: Multiple Certifications

This position is the third full-time position Francis Howell will have in the Vision Program. There is currently a TVI and a TVI/COMS employed, both with nearly 20 years of experience in education. 

The Francis Howell School District website can be found at https://www.fhsdschools.org/

The Francis Howell School District Alternative Learning website can be found at https://www.fhsdschools.org/departments/special_education

The Francis Howell School District pay schedule can be found at http://fhsd.sharpschool.net/common/pages/DisplayFile.aspx?itemId=42516320