The Office of Specialized Instruction's (OSI) vision is for the District of Columbia Public Schools to be the district of choice for students requiring early childhood education, students with disabilities, and English language learners. We serve our students requiring additional supports by providing high-quality instruction and services as close to home as possible and in the timely and consistent manner they deserve.

The Division of Specialized Instruction (DSI) works to provide a high quality continuum of services in an inclusive environment so every student with disabilities is prepared for success in college, career, and life. The division works with schools to design, implement, and monitor programs and supports for students with disabilities.

The Specialist, Visual Impairment is responsible for supporting teachers who provide specialized instruction to students with visual impairment to include blindness. Candidates should possess specific knowledge, experience and expertise related to Teachers of Visual Impairment (TVI), Cortical Visual Impairment (CVI), and Orientation and Mobility (O&M). Under the supervision of the Manager, Low Incidence Disabilities, the Coordinator, Visual Impairment will be responsible for providing high quality services centered on research based interventions and targeted strategies so that students with ocular or functional vision challenges can access the curriculum and have the opportunity to make meaningful progress toward identified educational goals and objectives. The Coordinator, Visual Impairment will support students pre-school through age 22.

The Specialist, Visual Impairment will report to the Manager, Low Incidence Disabilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Applies deep content knowledge and relevant expertise to DCPS projects and general operations; and advises senior management in specific area of focus and helps build competency in others.
• Develops strategy and clear, specific, and ambitious performance measures for individual projects that are easily translated into individual work goals and deliverables for other team members.
• Creates detailed timelines for each initiative; assesses and tracks project progress regularly using various computer programs and tools; and drives project completion holding others accountable for responsibilities and deadlines.
• Helps manage the analysis and presentation of data and progress of data-driven initiatives for senior management team and external audiences; and communicates progress to key stakeholder groups and incorporates their input.
• Anticipates, identifies, and resolves complex obstacles to success of overall program as well as specific projects.

• Complete IMPACT observations and reports for Vision Program providers.

• Interviews and surveys other colleagues and management teams to determine opportunities for improvement; researches specific issues; and develops detailed recommendations and implementation plans to resolve.
• Builds relationships and liaises with various internal departments to drive collaboration and project success; and interacts with and responds effectively to urgent requests from multiple internal and external DCPS stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related work experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Experience working with children and young adults with visual impairments to include blindness preferred.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.