Family Support Specialist for Blindness and Visual Impairment (BVI) - PaTTAN

Family Support Specialist for Blindness and Visual Impairment (BVI) at PaTTAN - East, providing technical assistance and training as part of the Pennsylvania Training and Technical Assistance Network (PaTTAN).

Responsibilities

• Participate as a full member of the PaTTAN training and technical support team.
• Work with PaTTAN Educational Consultants across initiative areas to ensure family needs and perspectives are represented.
• Assist in the development and implementation of professional development for families and professionals.
• Provide strategies to effectively engage families whose children are blind or visually impaired.
• Participate in regional and statewide meetings, conferences, institutes, and academies as part of the PaTTAN team.
• Assist in the development of resource materials that help families and LEAs understand the critical role families play in the education of students who are blind or visually impaired.
• Analyze services to make recommendations for improved effectiveness.
• Provide confidential guidance to families and LEAs pertaining to rights ensured through procedural safeguards.
• Guide families and LEAs to increase collaborative practice before, during, and after challenging communications.
• Guide the work of the PaTTAN Schools Engaging Families and Blindness/Visual Impairment initiatives, and federally grant-funded statewide family network.
• Perform other duties as required by the PaTTAN Director and/or Assistant Director.

Requirements

• Personal and/or family experience navigating educational programming for individuals with blindness or visual impairments strongly preferred.
• Lived experience with blindness or low vision, including individuals who are blind or have low vision themselves, or those with close personal experience (e.g., family member or caregiver).
• Demonstrated understanding of the impact of vision loss on individuals and families.
• 1-3 years of experience in any specialized area required as part of the job functions (training and support will be available).
• Associates/BS Degree in a general field preferred.
• Expertise in one or more of the following:
  • Professional approach to work with strong customer service skills.
  • Strong technology skills, including extensive use of Microsoft applications as well as MCIU software.
  • Specialized skills in the area to work autonomously, proven through work experience.
  • Customer service with staff, students, and families.
  • Familiarity and ability to use various technology and database systems.
  • Ability to multi-task with attention to detail.
  • Flexibility and adaptability to various interruptions.
  • Problem-solving ability and experience de-escalating contentious situations with students and families.
• Original certificates of clearance from the State Police, Child Abuse Registry, and PDE FBI.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, prescription, and vision insurance coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Eligibility for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Participation in PSERS (Public School Employees' Retirement System).
• Paid time off benefits.

Pay

$27.41/hour - $32.25/hour (PS2)

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 7.0 hours/day, 12 months (260-262 days/year).

Location

PaTTAN-East is located at 2500 Monroe Boulevard, Suite 110, Norristown, PA 19403.