Employment Opportunities
Thank you for your interest in joining our team!
The Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is an Affirmative Action EEO Employer. Programs associated with this position are sponsored by Division of Blind Services (State of Florida., Dept. of Education), United Way Central Florida, and local government contracts.
At the Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision, we are committed to creating an inclusive workforce that fully represents many different cultures, backgrounds and viewpoints. We believe that organizations that reflect multiple dimensions of difference including race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, veteran-status, familial status, residency status, socioeconomic status, mental health status or geographical representation create a diverse environment where everyone, from any background, can be more creative, innovative and successful. Our inclusive culture empowers all of us to connect, belong and grow.
The Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.
About the Lighthouse:
The Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision provides on-site comprehensive rehabilitation programs for persons who are blind or visually impaired in two locations in Florida. On-site services are provided in Tampa and in Winter Haven for persons residing in Hillsborough, Polk and Hardee counties.
Our training programs are designed to help individuals who have recently lost part of all of their vision to gain the skills needed to perform daily living tasks independently and maintain their employment.
Rehabilitation Engineering services are provided Statewide by Lighthouse Assistive Technology Specialists to help blind or visually impaired individuals maintain their existing employment through the use of assistive technology and devices.
HOW TO APPLY: Submit a resume via email to candy.caldwell@lighthouseblv.org. In the subject line, please put Resume for Consideration.
COVID-19 considerations:
Social distancing is practiced and PPE is provided for any direct client/employee contact.
Teacher of Children with Visual Impairments – Early Intervention Program
STARTING PAY: Salary will be based on degree level and experience.
BENEFITS: Medical & Life Insurance; 403b pension plan, vacation & sick leave, paid holidays, personal leave days, professional development, optional low-cost dental and other supplemental insurance plans.
REPORTS TO: Director of Program Services
LOCATION (position based at): Winter Haven, Florida
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is currently seeking a Teacher of Children with Visual Impairments – Early Intervention Program. This individual will provide early childhood development and instruction in Expanded Core Curriculum to visually impaired children aged birth to 5 years old and their families to help maximize their children’s self-sufficiency and independence as well as their physical, emotional, cognitive, social skills and development. Services are provided in the home, school and other appropriate environments.
The position will be based out of our Offices located at 206 Avenue D N.W., Winter Haven, Florida.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
– Evaluate and provide support services related to the child’s visual impairment and development to each assigned child and their family
– Complete assessments including educational, developmental and functional vision/sensory learning (FVLMA) and ECC.
– Establish educational plans and objectives to meet the needs of the children and families.
– Teaching areas of the Expanded Core Curriculum including: independent living skills, orientation and mobility, communication skills, self-help skills, social development, sensory development, emergent literacy, pre-braille skills and braille literacy and cognitive development including the application of assistive devices.
– Instructional techniques including play-based learning, calendar boxes, communication devices and techniques, sensory learning and other instructional methods for children with multiple impairments including visual impairments.
– Team player and liaison between schools/agencies and other community resources; organize events and trainings for parents/families.
– Keep up to date with knowledge and techniques in relevant fields.
– Complete all paperwork and applicable reporting requirements.
– Other duties and projects as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
– Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Visual Disabilities Education (with emphasis in early childhood preferred).
– Must have access to reliable transportation and a clean driving record for the required itinerant visits and travel.
– Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
– Possess excellent interpersonal skills and effectively work with a variety of personalities.
– Discerning judgment and empathetic understanding of clients.
Orientation and Mobility Specialist
STARTING PAY: Salary will be based on degree level and experience.
BENEFITS: Medical & Life Insurance; 403b pension plan, vacation & sick leave, paid holidays, personal leave days, professional development, optional low-cost dental and other supplemental insurance plans.
REPORTS TO: Director of Program Services
LOCATION (position based at): Winter Haven, FL
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision currently has an opportunity for an Orientation and Mobility Specialist. This position is responsible for the organization, planning and direct provision of orientation and mobility to adults who are blind and visually impaired.
The position will be based out of our Winter Haven office located at 206 Avenue D, N.W., Winter Haven, FL.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
– Assess each adult’s O&M training needs, then plan and provide orientation and mobility training as needed.
– Monitor for safety in all scenarios of instruction and provide modifications for client as needed.
– Provide individualized instruction in all basic and advanced orientation and mobility skills according to client needs.
– Instruction may be provided in job, college, community and/or home environments.
– Cooperate and consult with other staff members and other professionals on common matters, volunteers and community resources on behalf of the client.
– Assist in the development of community resources and education through in-service training programs.
– Keep up to date with knowledge and techniques in relevant fields.
– Complete all paperwork and applicable reporting requirements.
– Other duties and projects as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
– Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Orientation and Mobility.
– Must be ACVREP Certifiable in O&M (COMS) with intention of achieving permanent certification within one year of hire date.
– Discerning judgment and empathetic understanding of clients.
– Flexibility and imagination in teaching and programming.
– Reliable transportation.
– Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Rehabilitation Instructor
STARTING PAY: Salary will be based on degree level and experience
BENEFITS: Medical & Life Insurance; 403b pension plan, vacation & sick leave, paid holidays, personal leave days, professional development, optional low-cost dental and other supplemental insurance plans
REPORTS TO: Director of Program Services
LOCATION (position based at): Winter Haven, FL
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision currently has an opportunity for a Rehabilitation Instructor. This position is responsible for the organization, planning and direct provision of daily living skills training and adaptive technology training in the use of smart phone, smart pad or personal computer (non-vocational) services to adult blind and visually impaired persons.
The position is based in our Winter Haven office located at 206 Avenue D, N.W., Winter Haven, FL and serves Polk and Hardee Counties.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
– Assess clients training needs; plan and provide training in all needed areas of Independent living skills.
– Continually update curricula (with director’s approval) as needed in the following areas: personal management skills, home management, food preparation skills, communication skills and introduction to other services available for older visually impaired clients.
– Conduct home visits to clients as needed for them to adapt IL skills to home environment.
– Plan and carry out class field trips to provide practice in shopping and dining skills.
– Evaluate client’s progress and make recommendations for further training.
– Maintain appropriate records regarding client contact and progress, and input information into Client Tracking (Apricot).
– Participate in Rehabilitation Program classes held in outlying areas when applicable.
– Cooperate and consult with other staff members on common matters.
– Assist in the development of additional needed community resources through providing in-service training program, et al.
– Coordinate Annual Graduation with Program Director
– Offer support groups as needed.
– Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements
– BA or MA in rehabilitation teaching of the visually impaired (VRT); Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI); Certified O & M Specialist (COMS); Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT)
– Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
– Good knowledge of implications of blindness and other disabilities
– Discerning judgment and empathetic understanding of clients
– Initiative and ability to accept responsibility
– Must have access to reliable transportation
– Must be ACVREP-certifiable (CVRT) with intention of achieving permanent certification within one year of hire
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is pleased to offer competitive pay and benefits that include medical and life coverage, 403(b) retirement plan, optional benefit plans (dental, vision), paid vacation, sick leave, holiday pay, personal leave days, and professional development opportunities.
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is an equal opportunity employer and a drug-free workplace.