SSP/CoNavigator Coordinator

About the role

Helen Keller Services is seeking a full-time SSP/CoNavigator Coordinator to join our dedicated team. Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are DeafBlind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. Our mission is to empower our consumers to achieve their desired goals through independence, employment, and quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and schedule SSPs, CoNavigators, and unpaid volunteers, thoughtfully matching them with DeafBlind consumers and HKNC staff based on communication skills and personal preferences.
• Provide group or individual instruction to consumers on effective collaboration with SSPs and CoNavigators, fostering self-sustainability and independence.
• Promote operational compliance by ensuring consumers, staff, SSPs, CoNavigators, and Unpaid volunteers adhere to established program policies and procedures.
• Accommodate consumer needs by providing evening and weekend training or coordination support as required.
• Coordinate communication accessibility training to elevate the agency's use of direct ASL, Haptics, and Protactile Language for comprehensive environmental and visual access.
• Partner with Information, Research, and Professional Development (IRPD) to develop curriculum and facilitate specialized training workshops for SSPs, CoNavigators, and unpaid volunteers.
• Provide direct instruction in Haptics, Protactile, and/or Tactile American Sign Language to DeafBlind participants.
• Execute targeted recruitment strategies to source potential SSPs and volunteers from diverse community channels, including colleges, universities, interpreting programs, and church groups.
• Foster community partnerships in collaboration with Regional Representatives to expand recruitment pipelines and develop external training opportunities for professionals.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to build public awareness regarding HKNC programs, actively promoting DeafBlind culture and inclusion.
• Document and implement applied strategies for adapting the SSP/CoNavigator model to serve DeafBlind individuals with additional complex disabilities, ensuring equitable service delivery.
• Maintain service quality by providing operational guidance and support to SSPs and volunteers, offering feedback when appropriate.
• Administer program logistics, including processing invoices, evaluating consumer satisfaction, and resolving program barriers in partnership with applicable agency teams.
• Maintain comprehensive programmatic records, tracking service assignment utilization and providing necessary documentation for program budgeting/performance reporting.
• Participate in grant writing and other strategic initiatives to secure future funding, support grant reporting, and promote program expansion locally and statewide.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the areas of Counseling, Education, Human Services, Sign Language Interpreting, Special Education, or a closely related field and 5 years of experience working with DeafBlind individuals or an associate’s degree with 8 years of administrative experience and 5 years of including experience working with DeafBlind individuals.
• A minimum of five years of direct, professional experience working with the DeafBlind community is required.
• Direct knowledge and applied experience with Support Service Provider (SSP) services, program coordination, and CoNavigator frameworks is highly preferred.
• Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) is required.
• Advanced proficiency and functional knowledge of Tactile American Sign Language (TASL), Haptics, and Protactile Language is preferred.
• Computer proficiency using current versions of the Microsoft Office Suite is required; functional knowledge of Braille is preferred.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with DeafBlind individuals and familiarity with relevant assistive technologies.
• Knowledge of DeafBlind cultural practices and community resources.

Skills

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 11 Paid Holidays
• 403b Program w/Employer Match
• Flexible Spending/ Healthcare Savings Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program

Pay

Competitive salary commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Full-time position, Monday through Friday, with some evening and weekend availability.