This position will provide specialized BLV services to children ages birth to 5 who live in Vancouver and neighboring communities. The teacher will work independently under the direction of the Birth-5 Director. The incumbent will provide parent coaching, instruction, services and/ or supports to best meet the unique needs of each child and the early supports agency/ early childhood setting being served. Caseload will be developed according to contracts with individual DCYF/ESIT Provider Agencies and local education agencies.
Summary: The Birth-to-Five Teacher of Blind/ Low Vision Learners (TBLVL) is responsible for provision of specialized services to families of young children who are blind, have low vision, or at risk for BLV, birth to five years of age. The Birth-to-Five Teacher of Children BLV will provide ongoing and transition assessments, instruction and resource information to families and teams in the natural environment for the child and family; as well as the early childhood setting. The Teacher of Children BLV will collaborate with the child's family, IFSP and IEP teams.

Direct Services: Provide timely, responsive, and consistent services to children, families and teams. Provide family and child's team with information about visual diagnosis and the effects of vision loss on early overall development. Assess children’s needs using assessments geared towards the BLV Birth to Five population; including school age preschool evaluations. Participate in multidisciplinary teams to develop IFSPs and IEPs in conjunction with educational team members. Establish, maintain and update schedules of visits to schools and homes. Support children either directly or through consultation with paraprofessionals, professionals and families/ caregivers. Using prescriptive programs geared towards the BLV Birth to Five population. In compensatory skill areas unique to vision loss (i.e., braille reading and writing, and use of assistive technology). Demonstrate ability to utilize behavior management in shaping appropriate personal and social behaviors. Communicate and consult with professionals and families/ caregivers of BLV children. Assist in supporting parent-caregiver/child interactions through developmentally appropriate play activities and effective coaching strategies.  Perform physical requirements unaided or with the assistance of reasonable accommodation. Perform job related tasks as assigned by supervisor/coordinator. Establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with WSSB employees, local education agency representatives and others contacted during the course of the workday. Travel as needed. Follow established WSSB policies and procedures. Outreach Services:  Consults with community-based providers of related services and professional early support system on behalf of child who is BLV and family such as attend medical visits, IFSP and IEP meetings, program visits, etc. Provide workshops and training for families/ caregivers and professionals, as needed. Collaborate with community programs to help screen vision for Child Find activities, as needed. Participate as an active member of transition teams to provide vision information and agency collaboration for children transitioning from early support services to school district preschool programs and early childhood programs to Kindergarten. Provide transition support to district preschool teams. Provide transition training in the area of Birth to 5 to statewide TBLVLs. Collaborate with OSPI to support preschool transition. Collaborate with the Washington DeafBlind Program to provide supports for preschool transitions. Case Management Responsibilities:  Complete and maintain client files including referrals, home visit contact notes, permission to exchange information forms, Babies Count Form, medical records (current eye reports), functional vision assessments, Ogden Resource Center registration permission forms and progress notes. Follow Washington Early Support for Infant and Toddlers (ESIT) guidelines for providing early support services in Washington for children and families. Provide accurate monthly accounting of client contact hours and enters the vision services delivered into the WSSB billing system each month. Provide an updated caseload report of current caseload and a monthly report of children screened, trainings given, and new referrals. Keep client files up to date with current progress notes and assessments. Keep Outlook calendars up to date, reflective of the agreed-upon schedule and in coherence with the Home Visitor Safety Policy.  Agency Responsibilities:  Participate in WSSB All Staff meetings as well as department staff meetings, in-service trainings, and Outreach meetings in-person or virtually. Any exceptions require permission from the supervisor. Participate in Quarterly Birth-to-Three Teacher of Children BLV Professional Learning Communities. Serve as a public relations representative of WSSB as needed. Be available and responsive (24 work hours for email) to communicate with team members, clients, and supervisors during agreed-upon work hours.

Requirements:  Bachelor's degree in educational or other relevant field of study;  Current Washington State Teaching Certificate, or can obtain a Washington State Teaching Certificate;  Certification as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) from an accredited and nationally recognized university program;  Unified English Braille Exam (UEB) certification or Library of Congress certification or be able to obtain either within one year of hire date.   Desirable Qualifications:  Master's degree in Teacher of Visually Impaired Learner/Orientation & Mobility program;  Teaching experience as a home-based teacher in early childhood special education;  Washington State Teacher Certification in Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)  Experience working with children with multiple exceptionalities including blindness; Possess Orientation & Mobility Certification.  Key Competencies:  Excellent communication and organizational skills;  Effective time management skills;  Ability to set high expectations that support the acquisition of learner's independence and success;  Ability to work effectively with diverse groups;  Ability to work independently.

How to apply:
 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 (please see note below).

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.
NOTE: Background inquiries of convictions and pending criminal charges shall be completed on applicants prior to their appointment to positions in the state of Washington which are directly responsible for the supervision, care or treatment of children. Information obtained from background inquiries will not necessarily preclude employment, but will be considered in determining the applicant character, suitability, and competence to perform in the position applied for and may result in the denial of employment. Applicants are required to sign a release authorizing inquiry. Failure to do so shall disqualify the applicant from employment in these positions.