Early Intervention Vision Provider - Early Learning Services

Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services - 
On July 4, 2023, Governor DeWine signed into law Ohio House Bill 33 (H.B. 33), which created the Ohio Deaf Blind Education Services (ODBES) agency. ODBES is one agency with multiple divisions including the Ohio State School for the Blind (OSSB), the Ohio School for the Deaf (OSD), Statewide Services and Outreach (SSO), and the Early Learning Services (ELS). ODBES operates under the control and supervision of the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW). DEW appoints a superintendent to provide support for deaf and blind education services including supervising the state school for the deaf and the state school for the blind. H.B. 33 abolished the individual superintendent positions for both state schools and transfers their powers and duties to the current superintendent, Dr. Lou Maynus, for ODBES.

Early Learning Services - 
Supporting young children from birth to pre-kindergarten who are blind, have low vision, are deaf, hard of hearing, or are deafblind.

Families can access services through our Early Learning Center (ELC) in Columbus or statewide through our Early Intervention services. At our ELC, children learn in a safe and accessible setting, with care based on their individual needs. Staff use hands-on activities, simple tools, and adaptive technologies to help children learn. Central to our approach is fostering early language acquisition and concept development, ensuring that every child has the foundation they need for communication, critical thinking, and academic success.

Early learning services works with families and local partners to help each child reach their full potential and ensure they are prepared for a life of independence, confidence, and inclusion.

The Early Intervention Vision Provider serves children birth through age three who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind and their families. Utilizing a family-centered coaching approach, the provider supports caregivers and Early Intervention teams in understanding how vision impacts development and participation in everyday routines.

The successful candidate will provide specialized vision services, consultation, assessment, and coaching that promote developmental progress, sensory access, communication, mobility, early literacy, and independence.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Provide home and community-based early intervention vision services to children birth through age three;
• Conduct functional vision assessments and developmental observations;
• Interpret eye reports and assist families in understanding their child's visual condition and its impact on development;
• Coach families and caregivers using evidence-based Early Intervention practices;
• Collaborate with county Early Intervention teams through team meetings, consultations, and IFSP planning;
• Develop individualized strategies to support learning through vision, touch, hearing, and movement;
• Support development across all domains, including communication, cognition, motor skills, social-emotional development, and adaptive skills;
• Provide recommendations regarding functional vision, orientation and mobility, environmental adaptations, sensory efficiency, early literacy, assistive technology, compensatory skill development;
• Maintain documentation and reports in accordance with state and agency requirements;
• Participate in professional development and statewide team initiatives.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

• Valid Ohio Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI) license and/or Certification as an Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS);
• Bachelor's degree required;
• Knowledge of visual impairments and their impact on child development;
• Completion of Ohio Early Intervention training modules;
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams;
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills;
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel throughout assigned service areas.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Experience working with infants, toddlers, and families.
• Experience within Early Intervention or early childhood settings.
• Knowledge of the Primary Service Provider (PSP) coaching model.
• Experience supporting children with multiple disabilities, complex medical needs, or deafblindness.

Job Skills: Education, Advocacy, Direct Support/Direct Care, Facilitating, Coaching, Collaboration, Developing Others

• The State of Ohio is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status, disability, age (40 years or older), genetic information, sexual orientation, or caregiver status, in making employment-related decisions about an individual.
• The Ohio Deaf and Blind Education Services is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Kimberly Basil at 614-644-5968 or [email protected].
• The final candidate selected for the position will be required to submit a urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to an appointment.  The State will decline to extend a final offer of employment to any applicant with a verified positive test result.  Also, an applicant with a positive test result will not be considered for a position with the State of Ohio for a period of one year.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.