IDEA Public Schools Careers

Visual Impairment Specialist

Role Mission:

The IDEA Visual Impairment Specialist (VI) demonstrates knowledge and skill in assessment, eligibility for Special Education Visual Impairment, academic interventions for students with Visual Impairments, state and federal legal frameworks for Special Education, and ensure compliance with Special Education related to their work as a VI teacher. The IDEA VI Specialist will oversee support and case management of students with Visual Impairments as primary disabilities and secondary disabilities. In addition, the VI teacher will help track student progress towards goals along with compliance goals.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

None

Location:

 This is a full-time onsite position located in the Rio Grande Valley. Preference will be given to candidates who live in the region, or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations:    

May travel 40% or less at the busiest times of the year to attend conferences or trainings.

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

·          Develop and implement VI‑related IEP goals and ensure all VI services are delivered as written. 

·          Maintain full ARD/IEP compliance, including timely paperwork, annuals, and 3‑year evaluation timelines.

·          Complete and document VI services, including direct notes, indirect services, and accurate service tracking.

·          Conduct required evaluations, including Functional Visual Evaluations and documentation in Frontline.

·          Provide training and consultation to teachers, staff, and parents on visual impairments and braille.

·          Coordinate student supports, including updated eye‑medical reports, RTI/MTSS/504 collaboration, and communication with regional/state VI resources.

·          Manage VI program requirements, including annual VI registration, equipment needs/budget use, and maintaining certification.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

·          Provide ongoing collaboration with campus teams, including ARD committees, School Psychologist, OTs, PTs, SLPs, and orientation & mobility specialists.

·          Support campuses with accessibility needs, including materials, accommodations, and instructional modifications.

·          Assist with ordering, managing, and maintaining VI equipment, technology, and braille materials.

·          Participate in professional development and stay current on VI best practices, laws, and instructional strategies.

·          Communicate regularly with families regarding student progress, needs, and VI‑related supports.

·          Support transition planning for students moving between grade levels, campuses, or post‑secondary programs.

·          Provide input for district procedures, policies, and program improvements related to visual impairments.

Knowledge and Skills – Competencies

• Make Strategic Decisions: This team member makes informed decisions by gathering reliable information, asking clarifying questions, and evaluating multiple options. They thoughtfully align their choices with team objectives, current responsibilities, and the broader mission of the organization. 

• Manage Work and Teams: This team member sets clear, measurable goals and regularly reflects on progress, adjusting actions as needed. They prioritize work aligned with their goals using a task management system and consistently meet deadlines through effective time management. 

• Grow Self and Others: This team member identifies development needs across multiple groups and integrates them into broader strategic plans. They create structures that support ongoing growth, engage in succession planning, and continuously refine development strategies based on outcomes and data. Through this work, they foster a culture where continuous learning is a core part of daily work and leadership. 

• Build a Culture of Trust:  This team member fosters a team culture where individuals genuinely care for one another both personally and professionally. They lead with transparency, encourage open communication, including healthy conflict—and promote reliability and consistency, while regularly seeking and responding to team feedback to enhance the collective experience. 

• Communicate Deliberately: This team member leads inclusive discussions that surface obstacles and drive actionable solutions, ensuring all voices are heard. They communicate key information clearly across multiple channels and establish feedback loops that promote open dialogue, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 

Additional Skills:

·          Emotional Intelligence – a job requires a high level of emotional intelligence for interacting with national partners and regional leaders.

·          Integrity – job requires being honest and ethical

·          Initiative – job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities, challenges, and share opinions and direction without hesitation.

·          Stress Tolerance – job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress financial situations

·          Dependability – job requires being reliable, responsible, dependable, and fulfilling obligations for all states

·          Achievement/Effort – job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks

·          Independence – job requires developing one’s own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with littler or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done

·          Self-Control – job requires maintaining composure and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in difficult situations

·          Attention to Detail – job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks

·          Dependability/Consistency – job requires timely delivery on all commitments

·          Anticipatory – job requires thinking ahead and preparing for likely next steps or outcomes

·          Experience translating data and metrics into action

·          Demonstrable experience managing high-profile contracts and budgets

·          Must have demonstrated experience in strategy, analysis, project management, and interacting/influencing leaders.

·          Written and verbal communication

Required Education and Experience:

·          Bachelors Degree

·          Certification as a Visual Impairment Teacher

·          At least 1 year of providing services to students with Visual Impairments

·          High level of proficiency with Office 365 suite

Preferred Education and Experience:

·          At least 3 year of experience in providing services for children

Physical Requirements:

·          Sitting for extended periods of time

·          Lifting items weighing 15 lbs. or less

·          Sedentary office environment

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $70,500 and $82,100, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA

At IDEA the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values