DUAL SENSORY IMPAIRED 7% SPECIALIST - 48008625

Requisition No: 854536 

Agency: School for the Deaf & Blind

Working Title: DUAL SENSORY IMPAIRED 7% SPECIALIST - 48008625

 Pay Plan: Contract FTE (BenEl)

Position Number: 48008625 

Salary:  $54,967.2400 - $58,959.60 

Posting Closing Date: 06/20/2025 

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Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB)

Dual Sensory Impaired 7% Specialist – Board of Trustees

Position Number 48008625

Who are we?

FSDB is a state public school available at no cost to eligible pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf or 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 as a Dual Sensory Impaired (DSI) Specialist. All duties are referenced and reference to our students with Dual Sensory Impairment.

• Attend admissions meetings to aid potential program placement and service determination at FSDB and communicate with each department regarding related services and accommodation/modifications for enrolled students. Serve as a liaison and point of contact between the Deaf and Blind departments. Coordinate and conduct screening, evaluations, and services for students who are identified as DSI.  Examples may include Unique Skills Assessment/checklist and DHH Usher Screenings. Attend low vision appointments. Ensure students have the assistive technology they require and provide training for students. Provide training for staff on assistive devices as needed. Support DSI students in the classroom by monitoring accommodation, instruction, self-advocacy, and overall needs. Monitor students interpreting needs. Conduct Functional Vision Assessments with the support team: Orientation and Mobility, Braille Specialists, and teachers in the Deaf and Blind departments.
• Monitor, coordinate and track services and keep up to date on evaluation and reevaluation timelines.  
• Monitor and provide Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) instruction and recommendations as indicated on the FVLMA assessments, including Braille when necessary. Provide direct support with student transition services and on the job advocacy Attend training sessions and implement acquired skills during professional development activities as required by Federal, state, and FSDB mandates. Stay updated on counseling best practices, educational trends, and relevant policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the support needs of students with Dual Sensory Impairments;
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective communications;
• Knowledge of adaptive technologies available for students who are visually impaired;
• Ability to maintain a database to track assigned caseload;
• Ability to handle problems, concerns and emotional distress with sensitivity and tact;
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques;
• Ability to work independently;
• Ability to plan, establish priorities and implement activities for maximum effectiveness;
• Ability to communicate effectively;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; Knowledge of Braille and related technologies;
• Ability to communicate effectively using sign language by signing across the continuum (English word order to ASL) meeting the needs of each student;
• Ability to access educational records and evaluations as conducted at FSDB;
• Ability to conduct required evaluations, screenings, and assessments as required by FLDOE;

• 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 CPI and CPR;

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in related field.
• Current state of Florida educator certification in visually impaired K-12,
• Current state of Florida educator certification in deaf or hard of hearing K-12, or ability to obtain both certifications within a reasonable period of time upon hire.

If certifications noted are not from Florida, upon appointment, shall obtain state of Florida certifications within a reasonable period of time.

• Three years professional teaching experience with students who are blind/visually impaired or deaf/hard of hearing.
• Additional requirements mandated by state/federal law and position responsibilities

Preferred:

Master’s Degree, O&M Certification

Sign Language Requirements:

Applicants who are selected for hire will be required to attain an Advanced proficiency in sign language within one year of hire.

Please note: FSDB provides education to acquire sign language skills.

Hiring Salary Range: 10-month position: $54,967.2400 - $58,959.60 annually. This range is inclusive of verified experience and education.

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm

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.

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. 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 48008625

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

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

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.