Associate Director, DeafBlind Program

Agency Profile:

The core purpose of the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) is to empower blind and low vision individuals to reach their full potential.  We believe in a future where every blind and low vision student in Washington has the supports and services they need to succeed.  Our programs and services are provided across a diverse continuum of service options; including a range of short and long-term programs that include residential options at our Vancouver campus, outreach services in local schools and communities, access to specialized technology and resources through our Ogden Resource Center, as well as training options for parents, educators, and related service providers through a combination of department efforts.  Our greatest resource at WSSB are our incredible staff.  Our valued employees are continuously encouraged to improve the ways that we provide service to our students and the community. WSSB’s core values are: being student-centered, equity, accessibility, relationships, and continuous improvement.

Position Description:  

The DeafBlind Program Associate Director provides leadership, development and coordination of a statewide system of training and technical assistance in support of children with deafblindness. The main purpose of this position is to increase local capacity to meet the identified needs of families, early support providers and school districts regarding the developmental and educational needs of children who are deafblind (birth to 22 years). This position reports directly to the Director of Outreach Services.

Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Develops and manages DeafBlind Program budgets, contracts and grants to meet stated objectives. Monitors program activities to ensure compliance with established financial, legal and administrative requirements.

• Collaborates with local, regional, state and national entities to provide technical assistance for and with children and youth with deafblindness. Collaborating agencies include but are not limited to: Early Support for Infants and Toddlers/Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), National Center on Deaf-Blindness (NCDB), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), U.S. Department of Education/Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), Washington Sensory Disabilities Services (WSDS), Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB), WA Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children and Youth (CDHY).
• Compiles data and statistics for the purposes of 1) the National DeafBlind Child Count; 2) statewide technical assistance needs of students, districts, agencies and families; 3) reports for ESIT, OSEP, OSPI, and WSSB.
• Coordinates statewide professional development in partnership with ESIT, OSPI, WSDS and WSSB.
• Participates in meetings, workshops and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform statewide functions.

• Supervises assigned personnel to improve skills and knowledge, enhance effectiveness and ensure program outcomes are achieved. Maintains adequate staffing to achieve objectives within budget.

• Prepares a variety of written materials to obtain funding, document activities, provide written reference and/or convey information. Develops and submits the OSEP DeafBlind grant application.
• Collaborates statewide to increase local capacity to meet the identified needs of families, service providers, and districts to support accessible educational services for children with deafblindness.
• Provides statewide leadership regarding training standards and qualified provider roles in partnership with state agencies and the National Center on DeafBlindness (NCDB). Stays up to date regarding effective practices re: students who are deafblind.

Requirements:

• Master’s Degree in Education, with endorsement as Teacher of Students who are Blind/Low Vision, or Teacher of the Deaf.
• Possess or able to obtain WA State Principal/Program Administrator endorsement.
• 5 years job-related experience within a specialized field (qualified provider with students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/low vision and/or deafblind).
• Demonstrates excellent written communication skills, including grant applications and reports.
• Demonstrates knowledge of and adherence to federal and state regulations (e.g., the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Washington Administrative Code).  
• Have or obtain WA State Principal or Program Administrator certification.

Preferred Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Fluency in American Sign Language and knowledge of communication modalities used by children, youth and adults who are deaf/hard of hearing or deafblind.
• Experience with children with significant support needs.
• 3 years supervisory experience/staff management.
• 1 year of experience with grant-writing or budget and contract management.

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.

What We Offer: 

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 members by name!  WSSB prides itself on it's mission-driven environment as we seek to empower blind and low vision individuals to reach their full potential.  

WSSB also offers remote work and a beautiful 13.2 acre campus that is on the National Register of Historic Places. It includes state-of-the-art classrooms, a fitness center complete with saline pool and rock-climbing wall, track & field, auditorium, LIFTT program offering dorm-style housing and much more!

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 will be considered incomplete); and,
• Allow contact for three professional references included in your application, including at least one supervisor, with up-to-date contact information.

 For questions or information regarding the online application, please email kristina.bader@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 regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, 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. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.  A background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competency to perform in the position.    You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.  

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 their application, or that need this announcement in an alternative format, may call (360) 947-3311. Should you have any questions regarding this position, or the online application, please email Kristina.Bader@wssb.wa.gov. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.