Location

This position will require day travel to our service districts in Snohomish and Skagit counties, and some work days as needed at the NWESD main office in Anacortes.

Position Summary

The NWESD aspires to be a racially and culturally inclusive staff that reflects the diversity of those we serve. We believe this strengthens our organization, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches staff engagement.

Summary:

In collaboration with students’ education teams, this position provides consultation and/or direct services including comprehensive orientation and mobility (O&M) services to students whose visual functioning interferes with educational performance. Addresses individual students’ needs to ensure the ability to derive full benefit from the educational program and to achieve maximum independence through instruction in compensatory skills including daily living skills, self-advocacy, and recreation or leisure skills as related to orientation and mobility.

Essential Functions:

Duties listed are intended to provide a summary of the major duties and responsibilities of this position. Incumbent(s) may not perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties not listed, but within the general scope of the position.

• Provides training and direct instruction in O&M techniques and in the use of O&M materials and devices including visual efficiency skills, utilization of residual vision, concept and sensory development, spatial orientation, familiarization to environments, and utilization of tactile, visual, and auditory maps.
• Identifies the needs and strengths of the student and estimates length and frequency of services necessary to meet determined needs as indicated in the assessment report.
• Consults with other instructional staff to provide information to incorporate the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) into the entire instructional setting.
• Performs O&M evaluations on long and short-term needs of the student for new referrals and at intervals as designated by the IDEA for students ages 3 to 21.
• Provides Braille, recorded/enlarged materials, and/or tactual symbols as appropriate for each child.
• Monitors the student’s progress in academic subjects and provides instruction in compensatory skills as needed in the areas the student may have difficulty with as a result of the visual impairment.
• Contribute to other appropriate portions of the IEP/IFSP, such as goals, recommendations, modifications and/or accommodations. Provide consultation and support services to students, educators, and other team members.
• Evaluate students’ ongoing progress, documenting data to be used to update progress reports.
• Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student’s assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, and functioning level.
• Recommends appropriate specialized evaluations as needed, such as low vision, O&M, psycho-social, and adaptive physical education.
• Consults with diagnosticians, classroom teachers, students, and parents concerning appropriate evaluations, modification, and test administration.
• Obtains modified standardized testing materials and may assist in administering tests as needed.
• Collaborates with school personnel and agencies to secure job-related experiences for students and works as a liaison with agencies in the vocational assessment process.
• Serves as a resource person to special education teachers and other professional/paraprofessional staff members engaged in the delivery of programs and services to visually diverse students.
• Provides assistance to students with differing visual functioning in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual functioning, and training and support to parents of visually diverse students to enhance their children’s independence.
• Provides input into students’ schedules, and planning for all special services, and regularly informs various district personnel of progress and needs of students with differing levels of visual functioning.
• Maintains adequate record of all assessments, IEP/IFSP papers, progress reports, and signed parental release forms for things such as photographs and registration with various agencies.
• Participates in parent conferences and meetings as well as teacher staffing meetings related to visually diverse students and O&M.
• Acquires information about current research, development, and technology by attending conferences, workshops, and area meetings and by reading journals in the field of blindness & visual function.

Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of differing levels of visual functioning and blindness.
• Thorough knowledge of Braille code & strategies for teaching Braille.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable Washington State and Federal rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of medical information and indications for O&M services.
• Knowledge of implications for early development on growth and learning.
• Knowledge of and strong skills in teaching the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC).
• Strong skills in assistive technology.
• Skill in assessing students’ functional vision.
• Knowledge of effective behavior management techniques.
• Knowledge of rules and procedures for student safety.
• Ability to relate to and communicate effectively with students, parents, and staff.
• Skills and knowledge in the development of lesson plans.
• Ability to evaluate and write IEPs.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with inclusion/mainstreaming.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stress.
• Ability to provide orientation of new buildings and class schedules to visually diverse students as needed.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in special education, with certification specifically in teaching visually diverse students is required. Valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificate endorsed in O&M. O&M certification is desirable but not required. A state Braille competency test is required. WSP/FBI criminal history background clearance required. Valid Washington State driver’s license and proof of liability insurance required.

Employment Conditions and Benefits

This teaching position is considered full time at 7.5 hours per day, 5 days per week, 185 days per year.

Travel reimbursement is approved for this position.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:
Regular travel to multiple districts within NWESD region as assigned. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, reaching, pulling, pushing. May be required to lift, carry, and transfer students to and from wheelchair or assist with positioning students with physical disabilities.

Hazards: Potential hazards are present based on the fact that the position requires the incumbent to drive a significant amount. Hazards may include but are not limited to traveling alone, driving in inclement weather conditions, varied road conditions, rush hour traffic, etc.

Benefits Include:
Medical Insurance, Dental and Vision insurance with 100% paid premiums for employee and eligible dependents, (12) Sick days and (1) Floating Holiday, Bereavement Leave, Jury Duty Leave, Tuition Reimbursement, Long Term Disability, Basic Life Insurance $35k (w/voluntary additional coverage), WA State Dept. of Retirement Systems Membership -Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) offering 457 deferred savings plan, Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care, Voluntary Employees' Benefits Association (VEBA) participation, Employee Assistance Program, Professional Development opportunities.

Salary Range

$63,617.70 - $129,500.54

How to Apply

Submit a complete application at nwesd.org/jobs. Applications for this position must include:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Copies of Transcripts (Official or Unofficial)
• Copy of Valid WA State Teaching Certificate
• Other documents may be included at your discretion.

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