Associate Director of Outreach-Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE)

State of Washington • Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

11d

About The Position

The Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB) is recruiting an Associate Director of Outreach for Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education (EI/ECSE) for blind and low vision children. This position reports to the Outreach Director and collaborates with various agencies and providers to coordinate outreach services for families of blind and low vision children receiving early intervention services and for blind and low vision youth in preschool. The role is part of the WSSB Educational Leadership team, responsible for implementing the agency's strategic plan. This position also serves as the state lead for early intervention for blind and low vision children, working closely with the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Family’s (DCYF) Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program. The primary goal is to provide leadership in developing and coordinating a statewide system of training, technical assistance, and service delivery to enhance local capacity in meeting the needs of families and service providers supporting identified infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children who are blind or have low vision, including those with additional disabilities.

Requirements

• Master’s degree with emphasis in education of blind and low vision children, EI/ECSE, and/or subjects related to building and coordinating services for blind and low vision infants, youth, and families.
• Experience within the specialized field of early intervention and early childhood special education for families of blind and low vision children, including those with additional disabilities, with increasing levels of responsibility demonstrating leadership and solid organizational skills.
• Knowledge and training in working with a wide range of children who are blind/low vision, including those with additional disabilities.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work in partnership with numerous agencies and organizations to streamline and improve statewide services for families/children who are blind/low vision.
• Knowledge of and experience with IDEA, Part C and B, regulations, and services.
• Knowledge and skill in a range of assessments and assessment practices appropriate for children with vision loss.

Nice To Haves

• Successful completion of an education program administrator or principal leadership program and experience.
• Successful completion of the Washington State UEB examination or literary braille certification through the National Library of Congress.

Responsibilities

• Manage direct contracts with ESIT Provider Agencies (EPAs) for the WSSB Birth to 3 Program, including being an active member of IFSP teams, maintaining monthly data for services delivered, and ensuring contract agreements.
• Manage teacher caseloads and service times, balancing staffing capacity with service needs.
• Process new referrals through communication with WSSB Birth to 3 Program staff and referring EPAs, providing high-level customer service.
• Maintain adequate staffing, enhance personnel productivity, and achieve objectives within the allocated budget by performing personnel functions such as interviewing, evaluating, and supervising.
• Coordinate and collaborate with local, regional, state, and national entities, including the Department of Children Youth and Families (DCYF), Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), Department of Services for the Blind (DSB), medical community, university programs, county family resource coordinators, school districts, Washington Sensory Disability Services (WSDS), and the Washington DeafBlind Program.
• Develop short and long-range plans and programs to ensure statewide capacity to meet the EI/ECSE needs of families of blind and low vision children and blind and low vision youth in preschool programs, including kindergarten transition.
• Participate in meetings, workshops, and seminars to convey and gather information relevant to the position's functions.
• Train, conduct, coordinate, and assist with appropriate assessments for the served population of children.
• Provide leadership in developing workshops and training programs for certified teachers of blind and low vision students, certified orientation and mobility specialists, and other related service providers on IFSP/IEP teams.
• Provide supervision and support through coaching and mentoring for service providers statewide to ensure ongoing in-service training, direct and indirect services, and a high standard of service delivery.
• Meet objectives and ensure compliance with financial, legal, and administrative requirements by managing budgets and/or grant activities, including subcontracts.
• Collect and maintain data to document, monitor, and evaluate program activities and outcomes aligned with program and agency strategic plan goals.
• Prepare written materials such as reports, budgets, and grant proposals for documentation, funding, and information dissemination.
• Provide direction, information, and state interpretations concerning IDEA, Part C and B regulations to ensure compliance.
• Secure alternate funding for programs/services by researching various sources.
• Resolve issues related to technical, legal, and administrative information in response to inquiries from administrators, parents, and professionals.

Benefits

• Reasonable accommodation in the application process
• Information in an alternative format
• Access to specialized technology and resources
• Training options for parents, educators, and related service providers
• Encouragement for continuous improvement
• Core values: student-centered, equity, accessibility, relationships, and continuous improvement

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager