Description

Foundation for Blind Children (FBC) is a high profile, nationally recognized non-profit in Phoenix, Arizona. Celebrating our 70^th Anniversary, FBC serves over 2,000 blind and visually impaired students of ALL ages, from birth to currently 102 years old on three Valley campuses. Our preschool for blind children and braille library are the largest in the country. A well-established and growing non-profit, FBC leads the blind community both locally and nationally with new and innovative teaching methods, technology, and outcomes. Our workplace culture consistently ranks in the top 10% of non-profits in the country with 95% of our team recommending FBC as a great place to work. The vision of the Foundation for Blind Children is a world where vision loss is a diagnosis, not a disability.

FBC is currently seeking qualified candidates for our Director of Itinerant & Transition Services position. This full time role is based at our Central Campus in Phoenix and serves as a key member of FBC's Leadership Team. We offer a full benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement with employer contribution and match, generous paid time off (three weeks in the first year), paid holidays, employee events, and more. 

The Director of Itinerant and Transition Services is responsible for managing and leading all aspects of FBC’s PreK–12 Itinerant division, transition-age (14–21) programming for young adults, SHARP programming, and coordination of FBC’s internship program. The director will provide strategic leadership and expertise in vision instruction and inclusive programming for children and teens with visual impairments.

Job duties include: 

• Strengthen relationships with educational and governmental entities (districts, charters, state agencies, and universities) to share FBC’s programs and services, and foster opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
• Create tailored professional development opportunities and team meetings for educators and managers that align with FBC’s strategic plan and the agency’s mission, ensuring continuous growth and improvement within the field. Support the development of individualized plans for instructional staff, oversee their implementation and provide necessary support and resources to ensure success.
• Collaborate with higher education institutions to recruit vision professionals for internship opportunities at FBC, fostering a pipeline of skilled talent for the organization.
• Regularly assess current and proposed departmental policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with state/federal best practices, regulations, and organizational objectives. Participate in IEP / MET meetings throughout the school year to ensure compliance.
• Manage and communicate caseloads effectively, ensuring equitable distribution of resources and support among staff members.
• Facilitate regular team meetings to foster collaboration, communication, and the exchange of best practices among Itinerant and Transition Services providers and staff.
• Support recruitment efforts and onboard new staff members to meet program needs, ensuring a smooth transition and integration into the organization.
• Conduct regular observations, evaluations, and provide constructive feedback to providers, fostering professional growth and excellence in service delivery.
• Ensure the continuous improvement, expansion, and excellence of FBC’s Transition Programs, offering students unparalleled support and resources as they progress towards independence.
• Nurture relationships with key organizations, such as department of education, school districts, Vocational Rehabilitation, ASU, and professionals in relevant fields, fostering opportunities for job placements, volunteer experiences, and other enriching opportunities for students.
• Utilize comprehensive assessment methodologies, including More, Better, Different, and After Action Review approaches, to evaluate program effectiveness and identify areas for enhancement or refinement throughout the program life cycle.
• Proactively engage with the community to identify individuals with visual impairments in Arizona, assessing their needs and exploring ways in which FBC can contribute to and improve the quality of services available to them.
• Identify and pursue new revenue streams to sustain and bolster mission-based programming.
• With marketing and development, provide regular program updates to be used in multi-media announcements.
• Regularly solicit feedback from program participants, families, and other stakeholders through systematic surveys, engagement initiatives, and conference participation, all while leveraging insights to inform program enhancements and foster continuous growth.
• Demonstrate initiative and a proactive orientation in fulfilling performance responsibilities, addressing challenges, and seeking innovative solutions to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.
• Scale the FBC extended school year itinerant program to help meet the needs of students and districts throughout Arizona.
• Additional Duties: Perform any other duties as assigned by the Vice President of Programs to support the overall mission and objectives of the organization.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in special education, educational leadership, human development, or related discipline
• Minimum three years of direct supervisory and budget management experience
• Strong understanding of special education vision services, state vocational agencies, youth programming, itinerant provider model, and special education advocacy and compliance
• Certified Teacher of the Visually Impaired and/or Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist strongly preferred