Perkins is more than a school; we are an international NGO dedicated to working in 100 countries for over 100 years to help children with multiple, complex disabilities and visual impairments and their families. We are unlocking opportunities and igniting change. At Perkins, we think courageously, we are collaborative and we take ownership. You will be supported and cheered throughout your career. Join a community of growth!

We are seeking an experienced and passionate advocate for students with visual impairments who is ready to lead our students to the next steps of college readiness and/or postsecondary development. Your enthusiasm for working with students, families, and other educators while being a thought leader, cements your standing as an ideal candidate for the College Success Program at Perkins School for the Blind.

Summary:
College Success is a national initiative at Perkins to address the gaps in college readiness for all students with visual impairments – as early as possible, in order to increase efficiency, promote self-advocacy and set students up with the strongest possible foundation for success. College Success runs an innovative, virtual program, Compass. The Compass Program works with adolescents and young adults with visual impairments, their family, and educators, to explore and enhance their awareness of, and readiness for the demands of a college experience or other postsecondary outcomes including competitive employment.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate a commitment to knowledge of adolescent and young adult development, demonstrated experience with the coaching model, understanding about the psychosocial impact of having a disability, and a commitment to supporting the community in which our students live and learn. Additionally, the ideal candidate seeks to be a thought leader in pioneering innovative solutions to systemic challenges in outcomes for young people with visual impairments. They recognize that research and strategies from a range of stakeholder groups can inform emerging best practices.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Expectations include the following:
Coach program participants (including students, family members and/or educators)
Manage independently the related scheduling details including adjustment to schedules
Administer, analyze, and report on assessments about college and career readiness
Draft ongoing progress reports at the direction of the Compass Team
Contribute to content for monthly workshops
Attend and participate in Weekend Workshops once per month during the course of the program
Attend and support Student and/or Parent Chat sessions
Utilize best practices in coaching techniques to meet each individual student where they are and to support students as they set sustainable goals
Engage in innovative college and career counseling, integrating mainstream best practices in the delivery of services
Support communication flow, among other tasks
Manage independently accurate and timely records, attendance and logs for program participants

Additional responsibilities related to other projects, as assigned based on background, skills and program needs.
Competencies:
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of individuals
Ability to execute tasks with high level of independence, while maintaining collaborative work with colleagues
Awareness of and ability to implement classroom management strategies in various virtual settings
Experience with students with learning differences, autism or other disabilities valued
Culturally sensitive professional who integrates current knowledge of, and practices to create a safe place for students, families and communities to learn and grow
Ability to read, interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures
Ability to work remotely, collaboratively, and with independence, with a range of constituents including colleagues, students, families and educators from across the country
Ability to schedule work to meet the needs of individuals living in a range of time zones, nationally and internationally
Ability to work to short and long term project deadlines, and with tight deadlines, independently
Strong independent time management skills
Commitment to professional growth and development in skills and knowledge
Qualifications
Education and/or Experience Required:
Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, social work, or related field of study; Master’s degree in education, counseling, college counseling or relevant focus preferred
Certification in Teaching Students with Visual Impairments, Rehabilitation, Transition, or Coaching or related service preferred
Five years of related work experience in on-going educational, vocational, pre-college, college and/or gap year programs
Experience with adolescents with college aspirations
Teaching and/or coaching experience

Posted: 3/27/2023