Requisition No: 882289 

Agency: School for the Deaf & Blind

Working Title: DEAF EDUCATION RESEARCH & ACCESSIBILITY SPECIALIST - 48008507

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 48008507 

Salary:  $62,046.40 - $69,546.40 

Posting Closing Date: 09/04/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB)

Deaf Education Research and Accessibility Specialist (Grant Funded)

 (Career Service)

Position Number 48008507

Outreach Services

Who are we?

FSDB is a state public school available at no cost to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired or deafblind, including boarding and transportation services. FSDB is nationally recognized for its comprehensive educational services, designed for the unique communication and accessibility needs of students. FSDB also provides educational outreach programs for children ages 0-5 and their families. The FSDB experience provides students with the edge to do more, be more, and achieve more.

How you will make an impact

The incumbent of this position works for the Resource Materials and Technology Center for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing (RMTC-DHH), an IDEA-funded state project. This position travels throughout the state. This position may offer partial telework opportunities. Due to the position’s in-person responsibilities and statewide travel requirements, this position may be based in North Florida.

• Statewide Professional Learning, Coaching, Consultation, and Resource Development

Plans, develops, and delivers statewide professional learning and technical assistance for educators, school-based interpreters, related service providers, administrators, families, and other stakeholders serving students who are deaf or hard of hearing or with dual sensory impairments. Provides support through face-to-face, virtual, blended, and online formats based on identified statewide, regional, and LEA needs.

Supports implementation of evidence-based practices related to language, literacy, specially designed instruction, accessible educational materials, assistive technology, STEM education, postsecondary planning, career exploration, employment readiness, and independent living.

Provides technical assistance, coaching, observation, modeling, consultation, feedback, and follow-up support to strengthen educator practice and improve student access and outcomes. Consults with educational teams regarding instructional planning, accommodations, communication access, assessment, progress monitoring, IEP goals and services, and the selection and use of accessible educational materials and technologies, including captioned, visual, digital, multimedia, and sign-language-accessible content.

Conducts onsite and virtual consultations, program reviews, and follow-up activities. Prepares written summaries, recommendations, professional learning materials, technical assistance documentation, and other required reports. Provides targeted assistance to small and rural LEAs to build local capacity and connect staff with appropriate statewide and national resources. Travels throughout Florida to provide professional learning and program support, including overnight travel.

• Resource Development, Collaboration, Leadership, and Dissemination

Collaborates with colleagues, LEAs, Florida Department of Education bureau personnel, the Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS), universities, other IDEA-funded state projects, professional organizations, and other partners to coordinate services, share resources, and strengthen statewide capacity to support students who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Participates in state functions, advisory committees, workgroups, interagency initiatives, and professional organizations related to deaf education, accessible educational materials, literacy, STEM education, postsecondary planning, assistive technology, personnel preparation, and professional learning.

Researches, develops, adapts, reviews, and evaluates assistive and instructional resources, professional learning materials, online courses, presentations, implementation tools, digital content, educational programs, hardware, software, assistive technologies, and digital platforms for accessibility, instructional relevance, potential recommendation, development, acquisition, statewide use, or dissemination. Maintains current knowledge of developments in deaf education, special education, accessibility, educational technology, literacy, postsecondary planning, and STEM through professional literature, state and national conferences, and other relevant learning activities.

Develops and disseminates information through the RMTC-DHH website, newsletters, digital resource collections, webinars, video libraries, social media, professional publications, conference presentations, and other communication channels. Ensures materials developed or disseminated by the project meet applicable accessibility requirements and project standards. Collects and reports data related to assigned activities and uses stakeholder feedback to identify needs and improve project services and resources.  

Collects, analyzes, and reports participation, implementation, evaluation, and outcome data associated with assigned professional learning, technical assistance, resource development, and statewide initiatives. Uses data and stakeholder feedback to recommend improvements and identify future needs.

• Statewide Assessment Support and Consultation

Participates in statewide assessment activities related to students who are deaf or hard of hearing, including item review committees, bias and sensitivity reviews, accommodations review, and other assessment-related meetings or workgroups as assigned. Consults with the Bureau of Assessment, BEESS, RMTC-DHH staff, LEAs, and other partners regarding accessibility, accommodations, communication access, assistive technology, and the unique needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing in statewide assessment systems.

Reviews assessment materials, procedures, and guidance for accessibility considerations and provides input to support equitable participation and appropriate access for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Shares relevant assessment information with RMTC-DHH staff and assists in developing or disseminating resources that support LEAs in understanding assessment requirements, accommodations, and access considerations.

• Required Professional Learning and Compliance

Participates in required professional learning and maintains knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill federal, state, Florida Department of Education, and FSDB requirements. Implements skills acquired through required training and maintains applicable certifications, endorsements, licenses, and proficiency requirements, 

Completes required documentation, reports, records, travel materials, project data, and other administrative responsibilities accurately and within established timelines.

• Other related duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the educational, communication, language, literacy, accessibility, and postsecondary planning needs of students who are deaf or hard of hearing;
• Knowledge of: instructional planning; specially designed instruction; assessment; progress monitoring; IEP development; accessible educational materials; assistive technology; STEM education; statewide assessment accommodations; and applicable federal and state requirements.
• Skill in developing and delivering professional learning; coaching, mentoring, consultation, observation, and feedback; creating accessible instructional and digital resources; evaluating materials and technology; collecting and reporting data; and communicating effectively through written, spoken, signed, visual, and electronic formats.
• Ability to communicate effectively in American Sign Language and English;
• Ability to Collaborate with educators, related service providers, administrators, families, students, agencies, and professional partners; translate research and technical information into practical resources and recommendations;
• Identify needs and provide responsive technical assistance; plan and manage multiple projects and statewide activities; work independently and as part of interdisciplinary teams; and maintain required documentation, certifications, sign-language proficiency, and a valid Florida driver license;
• Ability to travel statewide, including overnight travel;
• Ability to attain sign language proficiency level in accordance with FSDB O.P.P.1.24;
• Ability to pass training and administer skills acquired during CPR;

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher
• Florida teaching certification in D/HH

Preferred

Professional experience working with deaf/hard of hearing individuals; Early Childhood Development; Fluency in American Sign Language; Certification, training, and/or coaching experience in evidence-based interventions for students who are deaf/hard of hearing; experience developing professional learning; experience with accessible educational materials, assistive technology, digital accessibility, and sign language-accessible instructional content; experience with postsecondary planning, STEM education, or statewide assessment accessibility.

Sign Language Requirements

Applicants who are selected for hire will be required to attain an Intermediate proficiency in American Sign Language, within 4 years of hire.

Please note: The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind provides education to acquire sign language skills.

Hiring Salary Range 12-month position: $62,046.40 - $69,546.40 annually. This range is inclusive of verified experience and education.

*Base $62,046.40

Associate degree addl $1500.00

Bachelor’s degree addl $3000.00

Master’s degree addl $4500.00

Additional Related and verified Full-time Experience (20-year max) addl $150.00 per year

Hours Varies; at least 80 hours biweekly; includes some evenings and weekends

Vision

FSDB will prepare each student for a lifetime of success.

Mission

The mission of FSDB is to utilize all available talent, energy, and resources to provide free appropriate public education for eligible sensory impaired students of Florida. As a school of academic excellence, the school shall strive to provide students an opportunity to access education services in caring, safe, unique learning environment to prepare them to be literate, employable, and independent lifelong learners. The school shall provide outreach services that include collaboration with district school boards and shall encourage input from students, staff, parents, and the community. As a diverse organization, the school shall foster respect and understanding for each individual. (Section 1002.36, Florida Statutes)

Values

Integrity & Respect – The FSDB community is a cohesive group that serves with honor, care, kindness and responsibility.

Safety & Security – The FSDB community is committed to the protection and well-being of stakeholders.

Innovation – The FSDB community welcomes change and embraces a continuous improvement mindset to encourage new methods to solve problems and foster creativity and growth.

Trust – The FSDB community is committed to high quality services and accountability through honest, reliable and consistent actions.

Our benefits include:

• Automatic enrollment into the Florida Retirement System.
• Medical insurance coverage is $90 per pay period for family coverage; $25 per pay period for employee only.
• Life insurance $25,000 is provided by the state at no cost to you for all FTE positions. Employees may purchase additional coverage.
• Low-cost supplemental benefit packages that include dental, vision, and much more.
• Professional development opportunities and ability to learn American Sign Language on campus at no cost.
• Tuition waiver program – earn up to 6 credit hours per semester at state universities.
• Biweekly accrual up to four (4) hours of sick leave and annual leave.
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year.

How You Will Grow

FSDB provides staff members with opportunities to grow professionally, enhancing their ability to support students' growth. School- and state-required training and skills development is offered both online and in-person for academic and non-academic staff members.

Condition of employment

Applicants under consideration for employment at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind will be required to complete background investigation.  Fingerprints will be taken and sent to the Florida Department of Law enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a background check of your criminal history record(s) at the state and national level via the Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website https://info.flclearinghouse.com 

FSDB is a drug-free workplace.

To apply

Applications accepted through People First only.

An attached resume is not a substitute for the information required on the application. It is the responsibility of all applicants to keep their application current.

All members of the Florida Retirement System are required to contribute 3% of their salary on a pre-tax basis.

To access additional information please log on to https://jobs.myflorida.com/joblist.html and in Keywords enter 48008507

Take this opportunity to make a difference in a student’s life and become part of a great School. Apply today!

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.