Associate Director of Outreach-Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE)

Description

Persons with a disability requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact HR@wssb.wa.gov or call 360-696-6321. Those with hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.

 

(Logo: Silhouette of Washington State with a lighthouse icon pointing to Vancouver)

The Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) is a school with a purpose 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 as follows: being student-centered, equity, accessibility, relationships, and continuous improvement

Position Profile: 

The Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) is currently recruiting an Associate Director of Outreach for Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) for blind and low vision children. This position reports to the Outreach Director and works collaboratively within the department, agency, other state agencies, as well as local service providers to coordinate and provide outreach services to families of blind and low vision children receiving early intervention services as well as blind and low vision youth in preschool. This position serves on the WSSB Educational Leadership team charged with implementing the strategic initiatives outlined in the agency strategic plan. This position also serves as the state lead for early intervention for blind and low vision children, working closely with the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Family’s (DCYF) Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program. The purpose of this position is to provide leadership in the development and coordination of a statewide system of training, technical assistance, and service delivery that will increase local capacity to meet the needs of families and service providers in support of identified infants, toddlers, and preschool age children who are blind or have low vision, including those with additional disabilities. 

Duties

The Associate Director of Outreach for EI/ECSE will help ensure that families of infants and toddlers, as well as preschool children with identified vision loss receive the appropriate EI/ECSE vision services, regardless of where they live in Washington.  This position will coordinate and partner with existing local, regional, and state resources, and utilize the use of distance technologies where feasible and appropriate. The goal is for all blind and low vision children, ages birth to five, including those transitioning into kindergarten, to have access to appropriate specialized services provided in a timely manner in the communities where they live. 
 
Essential Functions: 

• Manage direct contracts with ESIT Provider Agencies (EPAs) for the WSSB Birth to 3 Program to provide EI services to families by being an active member of the IFSP teams, including maintaining monthly data for services delivered and contract agreements.
• Manage teacher caseloads and service times, balancing capacity of staffing needs with service needs.
• Process new referrals appropriately through communication with WSSB Birth to 3 Program staff and referring EPAs with direct coordination and customer service at the highest level.
• Maintain adequate staffing, enhancing productivity of personnel, and achieving objectives within allocated budget by performing personnel functions, e.g., interviewing, evaluating, supervising, etc.
• For the purpose of implementing and maintaining services and programs, this position coordinates and collaborates with local, regional, state and national entities, e.g. Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), medical community, university programs, county family resource coordinators, school districts, Washington Sensory Disability Services (WSDS), and the Washington DeafBlind Program.
• Develop short and long- range plans/programs to ensure state capacity to meet EI/ECSE needs of families of blind and low vision children and blind and low vision youth in preschool programs, including kindergarten transition.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, and seminars for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform the functions of this position.
• Train, conduct, coordinate, and assist with appropriate assessments for the population of children served through this position.
• Provide leadership in the development of workshops and training programs for both certified teachers of blind and low vision students or certified orientation and mobility specialists who work with the EI/ECSE population and other related service providers on the IFSP/IEP team of children with blind/low vision.  This includes partnership with others in the development of materials and learn modules (digital or in person).
• Provide supervision and support through coaching and mentoring for service providers around the state for the purposes of providing ongoing in-service training, direct and indirect services, as well as to ensure a high standard of service provided to meet the needs of children and families served throughout Washington.
• Meet objectives and ensure compliance with established financial, legal, and/or administrative requirements by managing budgets and/or grant activities including subcontracts from fiscal agents, private grants, etc.
• Collect and maintain a variety of data for the purposes of documenting, monitoring, and evaluating program activities and outcomes aligned with program and agency strategic plan goals and objectives.  
• Prepare a variety of written materials (e.g., reports, budgets, grant proposals, etc.) for the purposes of documenting activities, soliciting, and maintaining funding, providing written reference, and conveying information for both WSSB and contract deliverables with other state agencies.  
• Provide direction, information, and state interpretations concerning rules and regulations of IDEA, Part C and B, to ensure compliance with established regulations.
• Secure alternate funding for programs/services by researching information from a variety of sources.
• Resolve issues with technical, legal, and administrative information in response to inquiries from administrators, parents, EI/ECSE professionals and educators, etc.

Qualifications

Experience
 Experience within the specialized field of early intervention and early childhood special education for families of blind and low/vision children as well as youth who are blind or low vision, including those with additional disabilities, with increasing levels of responsibility demonstrating leadership and solid organizational skills in helping to develop/coordinate a world class partnership to meet the needs of these youth and families. 
 
Education and key attributes

Required: A Master’s degree with emphasis in education of blind and low vision children, EI/ECSE, and or subjects related to building and coordinating services for blind and low vision infants, youth and families.  

Preferred: Successful completion of an education program administrator or principal leadership program and experience. 

Other:

• Knowledge and training in working with a wide range of children who are blind/low vision, including those with additional disabilities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in partnership with numerous agencies and organizations in to streamline and improve statewide services for families/children who are blind/low vision.
• Knowledge of and experience with IDEA, part C and B, regulations, and services.
• Knowledge and skill in a range of assessments and assessment practices appropriate for children with vision loss.
• Successful completion of the Washington State UEB examination or literary braille certification through the National Library of Congress is preferred.

Supplemental Information

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. 
   
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! 

Prior to a new hire, 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. 
   
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) 696-6321. Should you have any questions regarding this position, or the online application, please email HR@wssb.wa.gov. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service