Teacher Consultant for the Visually Impaired

MUSKEGON AREA INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT

JOB DESCRIPTION

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JOB TITLE:                            Teacher Consultant for the Visually Impaired

CLASSIFICATION:                Professional

REPORTS TO:                       Director of Special Education

SUPERVISES:                       N/A

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:
All candidates must apply online at www.muskegonisd.org/jobs/.

TERMS:
This position is a 200 total paid days position offering full family medical, dental, and vision benefits. Dental, vision, and life insurance are paid by the district at no cost to the employee. Personal business days, holidays, and sick time paid. Retirement through the Office of Retirement Services (Pension Plus or Defined Contribution).

SALARY RANGE:
This position is on the Consultant Scale, $73,139.04-$89,907.20.

GENERAL JOB FUNCTION:

Provide instructional services to children and students ages birth through 26 receiving services through Early On, general education, and special education programs. Services may be delivered in a variety of settings, including community-based environments (e.g., homes, childcare settings), school-based programs, and center-based classrooms. Instructional services are designed to support children and students in collaboration with families, general education teachers, and special education personnel. Provide consultation to families and educational personnel on behalf of children and students with disabilities on the consultant’s caseload. Conduct evaluations for children and students suspected of having a disability in accordance with applicable state and federal requirements.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Conducts formal and informal assessment of students to assist in the determination of Visually Impaired eligibility, present level of educational performance and the impact of vision loss in the school environment.
   1. Perform functional vision and learning media assessments on new referrals and at intervals as designated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
   2. Cortical Visual Impairment Range and/or Protocol
   3. Interpret medical eye reports as they relate to the educational environment.
2.  Attends and assists in developing IEPs/IFSPs for students with disabilities as appropriate.  Completes written evaluations for METs.
3. Assists general education teachers, special education teachers and ancillary staff with establishing goals and objectives specific to the student’s needs within the IEP/IFSP.
4. Establishes and maintains a schedule and documentation of services, consultations, and observations, including student progress on IEP Goals/objectives.
5. Provides support and instructional services to students with vision impairments in need of consulting services.
6. Assesses, develops and implements Orientation and Mobility instructional programs which would allow for increased independence.
7. Provides sensory development, environmental awareness training, and travel instruction within the student’s environment, community and/or general travel areas.
8. Assists in the coordination of services with various agencies and individuals serving students with visual problems, including obtaining and interpreting ophthalmological, optometric and functional vision reports.
9. Keep the building principal, local school district special education directors and the ISD Assistant Director of Special Education informed of issues that may significantly impact the delivery of special education programs and services for  students who are hearing impaired along with any anticipated expenses.        
10. Provides consultation to school district and ISD personnel regarding visually impaired students.
11. Prepares sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the student’s assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functioning level, and motivation level.
12. Be responsible for the student’s safety during O&M instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during O&M lessons.
13. Prepare and use equipment and materials, such as tactile maps, models, optical devices, pre-canes, GPS devices, and long canes for the development of O&M skills.
14. Provide orientation of new buildings and new class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed, including those community settings where students receive instruction.
15. Provide instruction in the areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum for Blind and Visually Impaired students.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Possession of a Master’s Degree (M.A. or M.S.) in education of children with vision impairments. 
2. Three years satisfactory teaching experience with not less than two years in the area of special education. 
3. Possession of a valid Michigan teaching certificate with Vision Impaired endorsement.
4. Approved as a Teacher Consultant or be eligible for that approval under Michigan Special Education Administrative Rules.
5. Preferred O&M certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP).
6. Ability to read, produce and teach Braille.
7. Valid Michigan driver’s license.
8. Knowledge of the Michigan Content Standards.
9. Knowledge of or ability to interpret various measurements of vision and apply to educational settings.
10. Experience in both formal and informal assessments of students.
11. Knowledge of research-based instructional methods applicable for visually impaired students.
12. Knowledge of print alternatives (i.e., Braille and auditory techniques).
13. Knowledge of assistive technology and adaptive equipment (i.e. m-print, Braille writer, JAWS, Zoomtext, Fusion, braille embosser, electronic magnification, Braillenote Touch, iPad, etc.) available to assist students with vision impairments.
14. Possess interpersonal skills which promote positive professional relationships with students, parents, staff and community.
15. Ability to work in a team-oriented fashion and maintain confidentiality.
16. Ability to read, analyze and interpret data; write reports, correspondence, policies and procedures.

 OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Provides or coordinates technology and material in auditory, Braille or enlarged print.
2. Maintains up-to-date supportive equipment, materials, and adaptive devices for the visually impaired.        
3. Serves as a resource person for the teacher working with a student with a visual impairment in a school setting.
4. Provides information to parents and students regarding instructional services and community agencies serving the visually impaired.
5. Perform such other tasks and assume such other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Associate Superintendent of Special Education.
   1. Must occasionally lift and move up to forty (40) pounds of supplies and equipment.

NOTABLE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

FREQUENCY CODE: Never = 0% = N, Occasional = 1 - 33 % = O, Frequent = 34 - 66% = F, Continuous = 67 - 100% = C

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY:

Sitting = C                                                     Crawling = N

Standing = F                                       Climbing = N

Walking = F                                                   Balancing = N

Lifting/Carrying = O                            Reaching (overhead) = O

Squatting = O                                                 Reaching (forward) = O

Bending = O                                                   Push/Pull = O

Kneeling = O                                      Twisting = N

1. Must occasionally lift, move, or restrain a student while providing services.

TYPICAL WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work may be performed in classrooms, meeting settings, community businesses and in home environments.

TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS:

Considerable travel locally and to other parts of the state should be expected.

It is the policy of the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District that no staff member, candidate for employment, program participant, or recipient of services shall experience discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or transgender identity) disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category (collectively "Protected Classes”), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities. Inquiries related to issues of discrimination on the basis of disability should be directed to the Director for Special Education at (231) 767-7249. All other discrimination inquiries or requests for special accommodations to participate in a program, event, or activity should be directed to the Associate Superintendent for Human Services at (231) 767-7213.