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.

 

Director of Major Gifts & Development 

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:  CEO 

LOCATION (position based at):  Tampa office 

Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is currently seeking a Director of Major Gifts to join The Lighthouse Team and help us achieve our ambitious fundraising goals.  The Lighthouse is a mission-driven organization and provides life changing services to individuals of all ages who are blind or visually impaired so they can remain active, productive members of our community.  

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of success in major gifts fundraising and solid relationship-building and stewardship skills.  The candidate should have exceptional interpersonal skills and the desire to get out in the communities that we serve and build relationships.  This individual should have the ability to work independently or in a team environment and the ability to clearly communicate the Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision’s overall mission and goals.  

The position will be based out of our main office located in the Hyde Park area of Tampa.  Development efforts will be focused in all of our service areas including Hillsborough, Polk and Hardee counties.  Travel to these areas will be required and there may be some additional travel. 

Key Responsibilities & Duties (not all inclusive):

Identify, cultivate, and solicit major gift donors

–  Prepare and implement a development program to cultivate and solicit major gift donations from      individuals, companies, and family foundations.

–  Identify and steward relations with existing and prospective individual donors through regular face-to-   face appointments/calls.

–  Lead the execution of major gift and capital campaign strategies by crafting proposals, writing presentations, developing stewardship visits, managing logistics, and developing strategic communications.

–  Make creative connections through networking between and among people, events, programs, and their associated circles.

–  Make public appearances and accept speaking engagements to share information about the Lighthouse with the community.

–  Generate activity for social media posts.

–  Conduct research and analysis for donor prospects; qualify caseload donors representing the organization’s highest giving potential.

–  Become fluent with Donor Perfect, I-Wave, and other software to cultivate donors.

 Manage donor relationships and ensure proper stewardship 

–  Work closely with the President & CEO, Board of Directors, and other fundraising staff to identify current and potential donors for personal visits and enhanced donor engagement.

–  Prepare and deliver donor presentations.

–  Oversee the development, management, and implementation of an individual donor recognition plan, including the timely acknowledgment and follow-up for all individual donors and prospects.

Meet or exceed annual revenue goals

–  Create an annual Major Gifts plan to be approved by the board in December each year.

–  Periodically prepare and report KPIs to the President and Board.

–  Oversee and manage all internal and external reporting obligations; create timely reports that reflect performance, progress and goal attainability.  Submit weekly activity reports to the CEO.  

• Maintain accurate and complete records of all communications with donors; secure project and organization information; create and write compelling offers, proposals and asks.
• Other duties and projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

–  Bachelor’s degree – preferred

–  CFRE – preferred

–  5 – 7 years of non-profit fundraising and/or sales experience – preferred

–  3 – 5 years of management experience – preferred

–  Direct marketing, special event and development experience – required

–  Experience in the areas of organizational planning and management

–  Experience with budgeting, planning and project administration

–  Experience with social media  

Transition Coordinator

REPORTING TO:                                Director of Program Services

JOB STATUS & CLASSIFICATION: Per Diem Non-exempt

PRIMARY LOCATION:                      Tampa

STARTING PAY:                                 Will be based on degree level and experience

Job Summary

Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is currently seeking a Transition Coordinator.  This individual is responsible for the overall coordination, organization, planning, and direct provision of Transition Training Services to youth, ages 14 – 22, who are blind or visually impaired.

 Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Coordinate all Transition activities including all of the planning, organizing, and providing Transition Training to program participants. Conduct planning and organizational activities with all of the teachers, aides, and volunteers serving the program.
• Assess students training needs via a comprehensive functional assessment: plan and provide training in all needed areas of transition training.
• Plan the daily lesson based on the tote system and the individual needs of the student as identified on the transition checklist, comprehensive functional assessment, and other applicable assessments.
• Conduct home visits to students as needed.
• Evaluate student’s progress and make recommendations for further training.
• Maintain appropriate records regarding student attendance, contact and progress.
• Teach classes daily providing 100 hours of class instruction. (25% activities of daily living, 25% active recreation/leisure and 50% career/vocational).
• Cooperate and consult with other staff members on common matters such as work experience.
• Coordinate and conduct field trips.
• Participate in personal exit interview with students who are graduating from the program.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

• BA or MA in teacher of the visually impaired (TVI). Other certifications desired (COMS, VRT)
• Demonstrated leadership ability working with teachers, aides, volunteers, and students.
• 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 certifiable as a TVI with the intention of obtaining full certification within a reasonable time period.
• 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 Engineer / Assistive Technology Specialist 

STARTING PAY:                                  Salary will be based on degree level and experience 

JOB STATUS & CLASSIFICATION:   Full Time Exempt 

REPORTS TO:                                     Director of Technology Services 

PRIMARY LOCATION:                       Tampa or Winter Haven, FL 

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 

Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is currently seeking a Rehabilitation Engineer / Assistive Technology Specialist.  This individual provides rehabilitation engineering, technical assistance, consultation and technology skills training to visually impaired clients and stakeholders. 

Key Responsibilities & Duties

• Familiarization with current and legacy enterprise technologies.
• Travel within the state of Florida (note: extensive travel is required).
• Provide assessments of prospective job sites, detailing requirements, accessibility barriers and recommendations for successful outcomes.
• Provide assessments of individual user assistive technology needs.
• Consult with employers to analyze accessibility issues and provide technical support as needed.
• Following approval of job modification plan, purchase, deliver, and install complete configuration, then provide consultation and training for recommended solution.
• Work with customers to arrange for purchase of assistive technology and computer equipment as needed.
• Provide follow-up, re-engineering, and further technical support as needed.
• Evaluate new technology and make recommendations for improvements in the program.
• Maintain records and complete reports as required (note: extensive report writing required).
• Perform troubleshooting and repair on assistive technology and non-assistive technology hardware and software components.
• If assigned, provide assistive technology training to individuals who are blind or have low vision.
• Consult as needed with other team members on provision of accessibility solutions.
• Other duties as assigned. 

 Qualifications & Requirements

• Degree in Rehabilitation Engineering, Vocational Rehabilitation, Computer Science or related field preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written forms.
• Ability to teach both vocational clients.
• Knowledge of computer technology, job engineering, job placement, and PC troubleshooting and repair skills.
• Must have own reliable transportation and be willing to travel extensively in Florida.
• Prefer experience in vocational services with persons who are disabled.
• Must be able to lift 40 lbs. of computer equipment for delivering and setting up workstations.
• Must earn DBS Assistive Technology Endorsement and ACVREP Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments (CATIS) certifications within two years 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.