TERM OF EMPLOYMENT:

Length of position: 12 months, year round.

Hours: 40 hours, Full-Time

SUMMARY:

The Outreach Specialist at the Statewide Outreach Center performs highly complex consultative services and technical assistance work and is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing outreach efforts for statewide projects and programs. This role plays a crucial part in raising awareness, building relationships, and facilitating the center's outreach initiatives with a focus on ASL Storytelling, distance learning, and bilingual literacy professional development.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Outreach Strategy Development:

• Develops comprehensive outreach plans and strategies related to ASL Storytelling, distance learning, and literacy andlanguage development.
• Identify and engage with target demographics and communities.
• Research and stay updated on effective outreach methods and best practices related to language and literacy development,professional development for adults, and distance learning.

Community Engagement:

• Act as a liaison between the center and the community or target audience.
• Build and maintain relationships with statewide Regional Day School Programs, community organizations, leaders, and stakeholders.
• Attend community meetings, events, and gatherings to establish a presence and foster partnerships.

Outreach Events and Initiatives:

• Provide ASL Storytelling virtually to Deaf Education classrooms, statewide.
• Supports the project management of ASL Storytelling scheduling and outreach events, bilingual literacy professional development workshops, and statewide teacher support initiatives.
• Collaborate to create and develop bilingual (ASL/English) instructional materials, ASL storybooks, and training resources for Deaf Education teachers.
• Facilitate or support professional development sessions focused on bilingual literacy practices and instructional strategies.
• Ensure logistics, scheduling, and follow-up activities are well-executed for assigned projects.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Collaborate on project communication strategies for sharing outreach initiatives and professional development opportunities.
• Distribute outreach materials.
• Respond to inquiries and maintain a positive online and in-person presence.

Data Collection and Reporting:

• Coordinate and collaborate on data collections, analysis and reporting related to assigned projects.
• Prepare reports on assigned outreach activities, outcomes, and impact.
• Use data to assess the effectiveness of outreach initiatives,developing action plans for improving or initiating programs.
• Present project, program or activity reports as requested by the SOC director.

Advocacy and Education:

• Advocate for the center's mission and the needs of the community to key stakeholders.
• Promote ASL Storytelling and bilingual (ASL/English) literacy practices to educators and stakeholders.
• Conduct educational sessions or presentations to inform the community about the center's services and resources.

This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3 years experience in leading in K-12 deaf education setting, with a focus on language development and bilingual (ASL/English) practices.
• Strong interpersonal, networking, and communication skills.
• Experience developing and delivering professional development for adult learners.
• Knowledge of local, state and national Deaf Education community dynamics, needs, and resources.
• Experience using a variety of bilingual curriculum and implementation of research based practices
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team.
• Excellent problem-solving and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as needed for outreach activities.
• Sign Language: The required proficiency level for the position using the levels designated in the Signed LanguageProficiency Interview (SLPI) is ADVANCED.

Desirable Qualifications.

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience(e.g., deaf education, linguistics, ASL, literacy, or a related discipline).
• 2 years designing and providing professional development and training
• Experience with Canvas LMS platform
• Proficiency in using outreach and communication tools, including social media platforms.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Attributes

1. Instructional Knowledge— knowledge of content and instructional methodologies.
2. Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
3. Effective Communication—the individual must be able to appropriately communicate with colleagues, students, parents, families, administrators, supervisors, and the public.
4. Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action plans.
5. Quality control—the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
6. Dependability—the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
7. Safety and security—the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
8. Interpersonal Skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.

SUPERVISOR

Director of State Outreach Center

Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) Code:

Educational Specialist II, see page 1 of https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Education.pdf

 It is the Texas School for the Deaf’s (TSD) policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. TSD expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Retaliation against individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination proceeding is also prohibited. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, training, wages, and benefits. In addition to federal law requirements, TSD complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.