Intervener

WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR BLIND CHILDREN•Pittsburgh, PA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

Located in the heart of Oakland, Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children is a one-of-a-kind educational experience committed to empowering our students to realize their full potential. The School also provides vital early intervention and outreach services to visually impaired students, with or without additional challenges, throughout western Pennsylvania. Founded in 1887, our School is best equipped to care for and educate students with visual impairments. As a private institution chartered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the School educates approximately 200 enrolled students from 80-85 school districts within western Pennsylvania. We are seeking a dedicated intervener to provide individualized support to a student with deaf-blindness throughout the school day, in alignment with the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP). This role involves implementing specially designed instruction, supporting communication access, and assisting with instructional, social, and community-based activities. The intervener will develop proficiency in the student’s unique communication methods, facilitate access to environmental information, and create customized instructional materials as needed. Responsibilities also include collecting data on student progress, maintaining communication between home and school, and supporting the use and care of hearing and vision assistive devices. The role requires active participation in IEP meetings and team collaboration, as well as ongoing professional development related to deaf-blindness. The intervener will also serve as a resource to staff, helping promote effective strategies and inclusive practices within the school environment.

Requirements

Associate's Degree required
Experience with and/or desire to work with students with dual sensory impairments.
Must be willing to participate in ongoing training in the area of deafblindness.
Capability and willingness to obtain clearances for Acts 34, 114, 151 prior to hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's preferred

Responsibilities

To provide direct support to a student with deaf-blindness during all or part of a school day, as indicated in the student’s IEP.
To follow the student’s IEP, including implementation of Specially Designed Instruction and IEP goals, and to take data as directed by the classroom teacher or related service personnel.
To become proficient in the student's individual communication methods and strategies, using these strategies to connect the student with individuals in their school environment
To create student- specific instructional materials as needed.
To accompany and support the student during community-based instruction, as needed
To facilitate access to environmental information that would otherwise be unavailable or incomplete to the student.
To maintain approved communication between home and school and keep daily log of information about the student and his/her activities.
To participate in IEP and Team meetings.
To participate in the assessment of the student and in the preparation of IEPs, progress reports, behavior plans, data collection, and other documentation for program monitoring.
To Complete OHOA modules and participate in professional development opportunities specific to deaf-blindness
To maintain and use hearing and visual aids (i.e., use and maintain amplification, cochlear implants and assisted listening devices as directed; uses and maintains glasses, low vision devices and prostheses as directed).
To serve as a resource to other staff on issues related to deaf-blindness