POSITION DESCRIPTIONTitle:Deaf-Blind Education Consultant

FLSA:Exempt

Iowa Educational Services for theClassification:Faculty

Blind and Visually Impaired (IESBVI)Date Reviewed: May 2015

Primary Function:Under the general direction of the IESBVI Regional Director, provides consultative and technical assistance to programs and agencies serving early childhood and school-age students (birth – 21) in Iowa who are deaf-blind and/or have additional disabilities.Serves as the coordinator for the Iowa Deaf-Blind Services Project, developing and providing professional development opportunities for educators and family members. This position is part of a continuing project funded by a 5-year U.S. Department of Education grant with additional support from the Iowa Department of Education and IESBVI.

Reports to: Regional Director

Typical Duties and Responsibilities:

  1. Provides on-site technical assistance and consultation services to teachers and AEA support service providers relative to services for children who are deaf-blind and their families.
  2. Facilitates the development and delivery of educational services for children who are deaf-blind and their families.
  3. Leads the planning and delivery of professional development opportunities focused on strengthening the technical capacity of educators and family members.
  4. Advocates for the educational needs of children who are deaf-blind in concert with other professional services providers.
  5. Works collaboratively with IESBVI staff and other education partners in designing and promoting appropriate services for children who are deaf-blind in Iowa’s schools.
  6. Identifies objectives and long range needs for services in schools to children who are deaf-blind.
  7. Coordinates educational services for children who are deaf-blind and their families with medical, social, and other needed services.
  8. Identifies and supports training needs of local and area education agencies relative to services for children who are deaf-blind.
  9. Serves as a resource person for other service entities relative to school-based services for children who are deaf-blind.
  10. Collects, analyzes, and disseminates data regarding Deaf-Blind Project activities and services for students who are deaf-blind, as well as for other students served by IESBVI.
  11. Works with local, regional, and state organizations and entities to improve educational services to children who are deaf-blind.
  12. Participates in local, regional, state, and national conferences pertaining to educational services for persons who are deaf-blind.
  13. Maintains a safe environment for students and strives to meet their needs.
  14. Supports the school’s strategic plan and adheres to school policies and procedures.
  15. Complies with personnel policies.
  16. Demonstrates effective interpersonal and communication skills.
  17. Demonstrates willingness to support change for the improvement of services to students.

Minimum Qualifications:Master’s degree in education or related field plus at least two years of experience working with persons who are deaf-blind, sensory impaired, multi-disabled and/or severely disabled required. Candidates must have or be eligible to obtain a valid Iowa teaching license or related statement of professional recognition from the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners by time of appointment. Additional experience serving persons who are deaf-blind; children with multiple disabilities; demonstrated ability to provide consultative services; experience in sign language and/or braillepreferred. ______

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principal functions of the job, and shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the work requirements that may be inherent in the job.