Director of Programs

State of Indiana•Indianapolis, IN

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Work for Indiana Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana. About the Indiana School for the Blind & Visually Impaired (ISBVI): The Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired is nationally and internationally recognized for its excellence and best practices in educating children and young adults who are blind or have low vision. The School is a critical resource for Indiana’s children who are blind or have low vision and the teachers, parents, and caregivers who work with them. Every year, we educate hundreds of children and young adults ranging from 3 to 22 years old and living in all parts of Indiana, many of whom, due to severe or multiple disabilities, other schools in the state have difficulty serving or cannot serve. Role Overview: The Director of Programs provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the School's Outreach, Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC), and Specialized Programs. Specialized Programs include, but are not limited to, Parent Engagement, Assistive Technology (AT), School-to-Work initiatives, College and Career Readiness programming, and other programs designed to improve outcomes for students who are blind or visually impaired. The Director ensures high-quality services and instruction that promote academic achievement, independence, family engagement, employment readiness, and successful post-secondary outcomes. The Director builds and supports expert teams, maintains compliance, stewards resources, and collaborates with families, school districts, community partners, employers, and state agencies to expand the school's impact statewide.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Education, Special Education, Vision Impairment, or related field; TVI certification preferred.
5+ years of leadership/supervisory experience.
Demonstrated expertise in Assistive Technology for BLV learners and digital accessibility.
Deep knowledge of IEP/IDEA, Section 504, ADA, transition planning, and state special education regulations.
Excellent communication, collaboration, and change management skills; ability to coach and develop cross functional teams.
Extensive knowledge of agency and/or organizational program(s) and business practices.
Extensive knowledge of State programs and resources, public policy, and program evaluation.
Ability to develop and measure program outcomes.
Ability to create and maintain strong working relationships with key public and private government and business leaders.
Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.
Ability to work with internal and external customers to assess needs, provide assistance, resolve problems, and satisfy expectations.
Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships, establish credibility, and influence leaders at all levels.
Make sound, well-informed, and objective decisions. Perceives the impact and implications of decisions.
Ability to identify problems, determine accuracy and relevance of information, and to use sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives and to make recommendations.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

Experience supervising itinerant, short course, and outreach service models.
Grant writing and management.
Vendor partnership experience.
Public speaking experience.

Responsibilities

Set the vision, annual objectives, and multi‑year roadmap for Outreach and ECC; align with School strategic plan and student outcome targets.
Establish program‑level goals and indicators; monitor fidelity, impact, and equity across grade bands and service models (day/residential, itinerant, short‑course/assessment).
Lead continuous improvement cycles using data to refine curricula, service delivery, and staffing.
Oversee statewide consultation, evaluation, short‑course programming, and professional development services to districts, agencies, and families.
Set service models, referral workflows, and turnaround times; monitor caseloads, regional coverage, and stakeholder satisfaction.
Develop MOUs with districts/partners; create fee structures (if applicable), and ensure consistent quality, documentation, and follow‑up.
Ensure ECC instruction across all nine domains (Compensatory/Access—including Braille, O&M, Social Interaction, Independent Living, Recreation & Leisure, Career Education, Assistive Technology, Sensory Efficiency, Self Determination) is scheduled, taught with rigor, and progress‑monitored.
Adopt curriculum maps, lesson exemplars, and assessment tools; coach ECC staff on evidence‑based instructional practices and accessibility considerations.
Integrate ECC goals into each student’s IEP/IEP+ and transition plans; facilitate collaboration among TVIs, classroom teachers, related services, residential life, and families.
Provide strategic direction, oversight, and evaluation of specialized programs including Parent Engagement, Assistive Technology, School-to-Work initiatives, college and career readiness activities, and other student support programs.
Develop and implement measurable program goals aligned with the School's strategic plan and student outcome objectives.
Expand opportunities for students to participate in career exploration, job shadowing, internships, work-based learning experiences, and competitive integrated employment activities.
Ensure Assistive Technology is effectively integrated into instructional, residential, outreach, and transition programming to maximize student access, independence, and employment readiness.
Lead the development of family engagement opportunities, including workshops, webinars, regional trainings, and resources that strengthen family partnerships and support student success.
Establish partnerships with employers, vocational rehabilitation agencies, colleges, universities, community organizations, and other stakeholders to expand opportunities for students and families.
Utilize data to evaluate program effectiveness, stakeholder satisfaction, student outcomes, and statewide impact to drive continuous improvement.
Directly supervise program managers/coordinators and departmental leads; provide clear goals, culturally responsive coaching, and performance evaluations.
Recruit, onboard, and retain high‑quality staff; build succession pipelines and provide PD in ECC domains, AT, braille, low‑vision, and O&M best practices.
Foster an inclusive, student-centered culture emphasizing dignity, independence, safety, and collaboration.
Ensure compliance with IDEA/IEP, Article 7 Section 504, FERPA, ADA, Part B/C requirements, and applicable state special education regulations.
Maintain accurate records (evaluations, service logs, AT inventories, incident reports); manage audits and accreditation reviews.
Build dashboards on Outreach/ECC KPIs; present quarterly updates to leadership and governing bodies.
Develop and manage program budgets (staffing, equipment, travel, materials); steward grants and restricted funds.
Oversee procurement and lifecycle of AT and O&M equipment; implement inventory, maintenance, and loss‑prevention systems.
Optimize schedules and transportation logistics for community‑based instruction and outreach travel.
Serve as primary liaison to families, districts, state agencies, universities, and vendors; represent the school at conferences and advisory councils.
Lead family workshops and educator PD on ECC, AT integration, and O&M; amplify student voice in program design.
Enforce safety protocols for O&M lessons (environmental assessments, route planning, emergency communications.
Ensure staff adhere to best practices for human guide techniques, visual description, and accessibility supports in all school events and engagements.

Benefits

Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
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