Job Summary:  

Provides direct instruction, adaptive materials and consultative support to students with visual impairments to facilitate their compensation for a sensory deficit and to improve academic skills.

Essential Functions:

• Provide instruction in visual discrimination

• Provide instruction in use of specialized technology, (computer keyboarding, Braille, taped textbooks

• Braille literary and math instruction

• Provide instruction in the expanded Common Core Curriculum

• Provide instruction in evaluations and training for assistive devices. Provide instruction in caning and travel techniques

• A mobility specialist teaches travel skills to students who have severe to total vision loss

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands. The employee is frequently required to walk; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee may be required to stand for long periods, and to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time, 193-day calendar position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Hours of work are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Hours are dependent on the needs of the districts.  Occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required as job duties demand.

Travel:   Travel is dependent on the assignment within Bucks County and is reimbursed in accordance with current IRS guidelines and rates.

Education and Experience:

Level of Degree: 

• Masters Degree in Education of the Visually Impaired
• PDE Credential as Teacher of the Visually Impaired N—12
• Additional credential as COMS Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist preferred, but not required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Strong understanding of current Pennsylvania and Federal Special Education Regulations

• Clinical competence to support a wide range of visual needs
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of communication options and instructional technology to support visual impairments
• Compliance with health, safety and confidentiality regulations

The Bucks IU provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination of any type regarding race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the practice of the Bucks IU to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The practice of providing reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed at any point during the recruiting, hiring, or at any time during employment with the Bucks IU, please contact the Director of Human Resources at HR@bucksiu.org