Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments

Lighthouse Central Florida is a mission-driven, values based organization providing optimal blend of rehabilitation training services and real world application to help individuals of all ages, who live with any degree of vision loss to adjust to their reality with grace and confidence so that can remain active, productive members of our community.

Lighthouse has an opportunity for an experienced Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TSVI) for our Youth Program supporting three programs including carrying a reduced/proportional Early Intervention caseload.

Must have experience in leading vision-specific part of program curricula for the various Youth Programs, including team of personnel and clients. Participate in and support various aspects of the different Youth Programs and the values and mission of Lighthouse Central Florida (LCF) as a member of the rehabilitation team. Maintain the confidentiality of program participants in accordance with State and Federal regulations and support the values and mission of Lighthouse Central Florida

Some of the job requirements are and not limited to:

• Conduct assessments among all three youth programs and functional vision evaluations (if they do not have them from school) to establish, in consultation with parent(s) or guardian, an Individual Service Plan including immediate and long term goals and includes intake, assessment, and instruction based on established individual goals and professional standards
• When needed, attend Children's and Transition Program events on Wednesday afternoons, Weekends, and the Summer Programing. (flex time is used to even out hours)
• Coordinate the implementation of service plans and curricula with other members of the teams
• May provide home, virtual, community and center-based instruction as appropriate to the needs of the child
• If required, collaborate with other community agencies as a member of the childs and familys IEP team as well as if required, collaborate with local school districts as a member of the childs IEP team
• Complete required reports to document childs progress, including assessments, goals, daily and monthly progress reports, and data entry

• Work with other members of the Youth Services team to fulfill the MOU with UCP locations as the TSVI for their students; this includes assessment, cultivating IEP goals and objectives, and fulfilling those goals and objectives
• Identify and actively support appropriate involvement of volunteers in program functions to extend and enhance team effectiveness and efficiency. Serve as the primary staff contact for volunteers who are assisting with aspects of assigned work.

Education:

• Bachelors Degree in Visual Disabilities Education, Special Education, Early Childhood Education, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy or other related degree required. 
• Masters Degree emphasizing Orientation and Mobility from an accredited university (is preferred)

License and Certification:

A minimum of one certification and progress toward (re-)certification is required:

• TSVI (Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments) State of Florida
•  COMS Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist
• Must complete the following upon hire:
  • Recreational Safety Supports: CPR First Aid

Experience:

Minimum of one (1) year experience teaching or working with children with a disability preferred

Demonstrated Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to adjust, cope and support agency changes in positive manor
• Communicate with other departments with demonstration of tolerance and flexibility

• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• Possess a working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Possess an ability to utilize the database for client demographics, documentation and agency reports
• Possess effective organizational and time management skills with attention to detail

Physical Demands:

• Moderate physical effort required
• Moderate ability to move and lift items usually ranging up to 40 lbs.
• Strength to physically assist visually impaired and multi-handicapped children
• Climbing stairs, Walking
• Reaching and/or grasping, Carrying, pushing and/or pulling
• Stooping, kneeling, bending and crouching in order to work with children on the floor
• Ability to actively participate in a variety of indoor and outdoor field trips
• Ability to move about independently
• Prolonged standing upon occasion
• Prolonged sitting at work station

Requirements:

• • Maintain required certification and/or license
  • Local travel over 50% and possess reliable transportation (mileage reimbursement per agency policies and procedures)
  • Hold a valid drivers license, good driving record, and proof of insurance      
  • Must pass Level II background check