Blind/Low Vision (BLV) Teacher & Non-Public Schools Liaison

Job Description: Blind/Low Vision (BLV) Teacher & Non-Public Schools Liaison

Department: Office of Special Services

Employment Type: Full-Time (Approximate 50/50 split allocation)

Position Summary

This unique dual-role position splits time approximately equally between serving as the Teacher of Record (TOR) for Blind/Low Vision (BLV) students and acting as the Non-Public Schools Liaison for the district.

As the BLV Teacher of Record, this professional manages IEPs, delivers direct specialized instruction, and provides consultative services to ensure compliance and student success. As the Non-Public Schools Liaison, this professional serves as the Public Agency Representative for special education case conferences in non-public schools, overseeing evaluation requests, maintaining regulatory compliance, and managing related financial and student documentation as requested by the Director of Special Services.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Part I: Blind/Low Vision (BLV) Teacher of Record (~50%)

• Case Management & Compliance: Write, implement, and coordinate comprehensive IEPs tailored to the unique needs of students with visual impairments. Maintain accurate, up-to-date student files and strictly meet all state and federal timelines.
• Direct Instructional Services: Provide direct instruction as written in the individual IEPs of students, support training and growth with assistive technology, and assist students in developing independent living skills.
• Consultative Services: Consult regularly with general education teachers, other special education teachers, administrators, and support staff regarding the educational implications of visual impairments. Guide staff on modifying environments, curricula, and classroom materials.
• Accommodations & Materials: Support the District's Assistive Technology Specialist with the ordering of core curriculum materials into Braille, large print, or digital formats. Support state and district testing accommodations, including assistance with ordering specialized materials.
• Multidisciplinary Collaboration: Partner with outside Orientation and Mobility (O&M) Specialists, school psychologists, and families to ensure a holistic, supportive approach to the students education.

Part II: Non-Public Schools Liaison (~50%)

• Case Conference Leadership: Serve as the Public Agency Representative at all special education case conferences for students attending non-public schools within the district's jurisdiction.
• Evaluation Oversight: Review and respond to requests for special education evaluations; assign appropriate evaluations to the school psychologist or issue a written notice of refusal to evaluate, as appropriate.
• Relationship Management: Maintain highly collaborative relationships with non-public school administrators and leaders. Offer quarterly consultation sessions regarding special education services and supports.
• Regulatory & Annual Consultations: Participate in the federally required annual consultation with non-public school officials, maintaining accurate records of consultations, evaluations, and case conferences.
• Financial & Data Monitoring: Review and monitor financial records related to special education expenditures for non-public schools to ensure compliance with federal spending requirements. Support the Director of Special Services in determining spending projections for the Business Office.
• Systems & Documentation: Collaborate with non-public schools to identify allowable expenditures for funds exceeding staffing costs. Work closely with Office of Special Services staff to input students into the Skyward system and ensure accurate IEP documentation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Deep understanding of the physical, psychological, and educational implications of visual impairments in children.
• Strong working knowledge of state and federal special education regulations (IDEA) governing both public and non-public school services.
• Familiarity with student information systems (specifically Skyward) and IEP software.
• Basic financial literacy for monitoring and projecting grant/expenditure allocations.
• Exceptional organizational, time-management, and itinerant travel skills to successfully balance two distinct sets of responsibilities.

Job Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Special Education.
• Licensure: Valid State Teaching Certification / Endorsement in Visual Impairments (K-12).
• Experience: Previous teaching experience with BLV students and/or experience handling special education coordination, compliance, or case conference leadership is highly preferred.
• Travel: Must possess a valid driver's license and reliable transportation, as regular travel between public and non-public school sites is required.

Working Conditions: This is an itinerant position requiring travel between multiple school buildings. The environment includes standard school settings, requiring the ability to adapt to different school cultures (public and non-public) and occasionally transport specialized BLV equipment.