Communications Instructor, Young Adult Transition Program

Job Description

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Department for the Blind. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

The Iowa Department for the Blind (IDB) is seeking an energetic and passionate communications instructor for its Young Adult Transition Program for blind youth. This position will serve as part of a team that works dynamically together to best serve the needs of students.

Ideal candidates will possess a strong teaching ability and a belief in the capacity of blind persons, as well as experience with braille and access technology. IDB can provide training in the other blindness skill areas listed if needed and will provide training in the teaching curricula used in these programs. The Young Adult Transition Program is a school-year based residential program for youth who have finished high school, but who need additional instruction in order to participate in post-secondary learning and employment opportunities. During the summer, this position will work with IDB’s summer program, LEAP, for youth ages 14-21.

Duties And Responsibilities To Include The Following

• Provide Workplace Readiness, Self-Advocacy and Disability-Related skills training to blind youth in comprehensive residential training programs such as the Young Adult Transition Program and LEAP Program.
• Provide daily braille and technology instruction to students enrolled in the Young Adult Transition program.
• Design lesson plans to meet students’ individual needs and the goals on their Individualized Education Programs and Individual Plans for Employment both to be taught directly and for use by other program staff.
• Write monthly and end of program reports and complete bi-weekly IEP progress monitoring.
• Provide daily guidance and direction to summer program staff hired to provide direct instruction to summer program students.
• Provide guidance and support to Youth Services Workers in how they can most effectively support students’ growth and independence in the areas of braille and technology.
• Develop curricula, assessments and teaching materials for teaching blind youth. Measure students’ progress toward their goals on an on-going basis through the use of data and rubrics. Collaborate with other program staff and supervisor to address student needs and concerns.
• Serve as a role model for students in the use of nonvisual techniques and problem-solving skills.
• Promote a positive philosophy of blindness through involvement in trainings and community outreach events for parents, educators and other service providers as directed.
  
  

Essential Functions Of This Position

• Demonstrate and promote a positive philosophy of blindness
• Actively participate in program activities
• Communicate regularly with program leaders regarding student needs and concerns
• Document student progress through regular written reports
• Read and write contracted braille
• Teach clients to utilize the contracted braille code proficiently, including the use of English grammar, spelling and sentence structure.
• Use smartphones and computers with all mainstream nonvisual technology including VoiceOver, TalkBack, NVDA and JAWS.
• Teach clients to use smartphones and computers with nonvisual technology including VoiceOver, TalkBack, NVDA and JAWS as appropriate.
• Independently travel (using a long white cane under sleep shades)
• Teach clients to travel using a long white cane
  
  

Preference will be given to candidates who possess a state of Iowa teaching license, or the ability to obtain one within two years of employment, as well as candidates who hold either the National Certification in unified English braille or the Braille Transcriber Certification from the Library of Congress; however, applicants who do not possess these credentials are still encouraged to apply.

It is the policy of the Department for the Blind to conduct background checks on all finalist candidates prior to any offer of employment.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a degree in human service-oriented sciences, education, marketing or business and experience equal to three years of full time professional work;

OR

the equivalent of three years of full-time experience as a rehabilitation counselor or teacher shall be considered as qualifying provided the employee has successfully completed training to meet the certification criteria established by the agency;

OR

an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting the equivalent of one year of full-time professional work experience for each year of the required education to a maximum substitution of four years.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.