Assistant Director, CVI Center

Perkins is more than a school; we are an international NGO dedicated to working in 100 countries for over 100 years to help children with multiple, complex disabilities and visual impairments and their families. We are unlocking opportunities and igniting change. At Perkins, we think courageously, we are collaborative and we take ownership. Join a community of growth!

Be a part of a change-making, mission-driven team. The CVI Center is taking bold steps to tackle the leading cause of childhood blindness, CVI. Based in the brain, CVI is misunderstood and underdiagnosed. We’re partnering with leading experts and taking an innovative, whole-child, and research-based approach. We are looking for a talented, motivated, and passionate professional to help us share our story with the world. As our Assistant Director, you will play a key role in turning our vision into a reality and changing the lives of children and families across the country and, ultimately, worldwide.

You will work closely with the CVI Director and assist the support and implementation of CVI assessments, environmental and materials adaptations, consultations to staff and program planning support for Perkins students with CVI in all on and off campus programs.

Essential Duties, Responsibilities and Expectations include the following:

• Creating and leading the implementation of consistent and effective project planning and management related to the Perkins CVI Center, such as maintaining an on-campus database of students diagnosed with CVI and/or suspected of having CVI.
• Assists in the management and engagement in projects and activities related to the continued engagement of families, low vision clinic staff, ophthalmologist and neurologist and referral agencies who collaborate for diagnosis and service to students with CVI on and off campus.
• Develop curriculum and assist in providing lectures and online CVI content for parent and staff training. Attend and present at professional conferences
• Supervises the CVI Center Coordinators.
• Assists in the management and engagement related to projects and activities in new initiatives and new collaboration opportunities around CVI, including learning about, engaging in trials, and implementing the Perkins CVI Protocol.
• Assists in the creation of the ‘Perkins CVI Repository’. In charge of turning the current recommendation bank ideas into best-practice implementations that can be uploaded.
• Assists in the management and engagement of day-to-day CVI projects and activities related to the efficiencies in the assessment and implementation of CVI supports in programs, classrooms and residences.
• Utilizes sound judgment in assessing the CVI Center’s effectiveness as well as in identifying, mitigating and resolving project issues and risks to on-time assessment and support project delivery.
• Provides regular project updates to the CVI Center Director and Superintendent acting as a primary resource for information and initial point of program contact.
• Cultivates strong inter- and intra-departmental relationships.
• Performs other related duties and tasks as assigned.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Comfortable with and capable of talking with parents, Perkins staff, school district representatives, outside agencies and others who support the student with CVI.
• Ability to work with small groups of staff members on team-based projects.
• Ability to manage electronic data using databases and spreadsheets.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Ability to work across multiple job levels and organizational boundaries.
• Flexible, able to adapt to change within a fast paced environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Understanding of school systems including educational programs for students, data collection, and organization structure and function.
• Enthusiasm for CVI and support of Perkins’ educational programs and services, the school’s philosophy and culture.
• Strong interpersonal skills, energy, and initiative.
• Understanding of the sensitivity of information and the ability to handle confidential information.

Competencies: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Extensive knowledge of CVI and current research in the field
• 5 years experience in the field
• Understanding and assessment of students with CVI with and without multiple disabilities using components of the CVI Protocol and other tools designed to assess students with CVI.

Education and/or Experience:

• Masters degree as a Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments.
• Experience with students with ocular and cortical/cerebral visual impairments.

Physical Demands

• Normal physical demands. This position requires normal physical activity associated with an office and classroom environment such as sitting, walking, standing, lifting and repositioning students and fine finger dexterity.

Work Environment:

• Normal office/school environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

We have benefits that put you first, including an employer contributing retirement plan, tuition reimbursement from day one, professional development for our employees, personal days, paid time off and paid sick leave. Our campus is quaint, charming and historical, a perfect mix of legacy and modern buildings. It is located in the heart of Watertown, adjacent to the Charles River and a 5 minute drive from food & entertainment at Arsenal Yards.

Perkins School for the Blind