POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Blindness Skills Specialist
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2469
GRADE 45
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director, Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Department Head, Counseling, Leadership and Special Education
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Blindness Skills Specialist provides professional development to school administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals who work with children identified with blindness or low vision, provides workshops on topics related to visual impairment for professionals and administrators, and provides information and training to parents of children identified with blindness or low vision. The Blindness Skills Specialist is responsible for coordinating and working collaboratively with University faculty, staff, and administrators, PK-12 Schools, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), and business/community partners. The Blindness Skills Specialist coordinates and facilitates the development of professional development workshops, seminars, meetings, and other activities for PK-12 teachers and administrators who work with persons identified with blindness or low vision. The Blindness Skills Specialist works collaboratively with department heads, deans, and other University officials in order to ensure that these activities and programs follow appropriate University guidelines, policies, and procedures.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Master's degree in Special Education, Education of the Visually Impaired or a related field is required.
Experience: Five years of experience coordinating and facilitating programs, projects, and/or activities for the education of the blind is required with at least three years of experience working with PK-12 schools.
Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and organizational skills, particularly in planning, are required. Computer literacy is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Certification: Must possess and maintain current Teacher of the Visually Impaired certification for PreK-12 schools.
Other: The nature of the position frequently requires attendance at evening and/or weekend activities, including national, state, and local conferences. Travel is necessary. Must be able to lift and transport materials weighing up to 50 pounds. A valid Missouri driver’s license is required within ninety days of employment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures the success of the University's commitment to the Public Affairs mission of ethical leadership, cultural competence, and community engagement by coordinating and facilitating professional development for educators, specifically by providing one-on-one professional development and workshops to school administrators, paraprofessionals, and teachers of the visually impaired.
2. Provides information and training to parents of children with blindness or low vision.
3. Facilitates the development and maintenance of partnerships between University departments, colleges, area schools, and community/business partners by developing and/or coordinating appropriate projects.
4. Works with Director, Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning to maintain compliance and documentation of work for evaluation purposes and for compliance with the requirements of MoDESE and the Blindness Skills Specialist grant.
5. Enhances PK-12 teachers' ability to develop and implement innovative instructional approaches for students with blindness or low vision into their existing classroom settings by coordinating and presenting teacher staff development programs.
6. Ensures that education programs for the College of Education and the Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning are included in strategic planning by participating in annual education program budget development and representing the education program.
7. Advises the Department Head, Counseling, Leadership and Special Education, the Director, Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning, and other senior administrators on the status of on-going programs and projects by preparing and presenting reports to the Department Head, Counseling, Leadership and Special Education and Director, Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning, and a variety of advisory groups.
8. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
9. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Department Head, Counseling, Leadership and Special Education or Director, Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning.
10. Contributes to the success of the College of Education and the Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning by performing all other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Blindness Skills Specialist is supervised by the Director, Agency for Teaching, Leading and Learning and generally exercises no supervision of others.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JUNE 2017
