Educational Consultant

Educational Consultant

Position Summary:

The Educational Consultant position with EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment is part of the Department of Special Education at Vanderbilt University and is a key individual contributor responsible for supporting the delivery of virtual professional development and resource creation to improve the transition-related outcomes of middle and high school students with visual impairments, with a particular focus on supporting rural communities. This position is a full-time, exempt, remote, grant-funded position. Reporting directly to the Principal Investigator, the Educational Consultant will collaborate regularly with a team of faculty, staff, and university students.

The Educational Consultant will: (a) develop online training modules for transition professionals and parents of students with visual impairments; (b) develop student-facing interactive online lessons; (c) create virtual resources for students with visual impairments, their families, and the professionals who support them; (e) maintain a virtual mentorship program to connect students with visual impairments to adults with visual impairments who have attended postsecondary education and/or who have participated in competitive integrated employment; and (f) lead an advisory board of blind and low vision individuals (students and/or adults).

About EMPOWERing Youth with Visual Impairment (EMPOWER VI):

EMPOWER VI is funded by the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). The goal of EMPOWER VI is to equip transition-aged students with visual impairment living in rural communities, their families, and the transition professionals who serve them with the virtual supports to improve postsecondary education and employment outcomes. More information about EMPOWER VI can be found at www.empowervi.org.

About the Department of Special Education  

EMPOWER VI is housed within Vanderbilt’s Department of Special Education. The Department has a history of significant and continuous impact on the field of special education and intellectual or developmental disabilities. Faculty and staff are committed to equipping students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to provide exceptional services and supports to people with disabilities and their families. More information can be found at http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/departments/sped/  

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

In collaboration with other team members, the Educational Consultant will carry out the following activities: 

• Contributing to the development of online modules for professionals as well as interactive student and family lessons 
• Identifying and developing transition-focused resources to support students with visual impairments, families, and professionals
• Supporting communities of practice on transition for students with visual impairments
• Facilitating and supporting a student mentorship program
• Developing and disseminating a monthly e-newsletter
• Providing feedback on materials and training developed by other team members, as well as receiving such feedback 
• Assisting with data collection and evaluation efforts 
• Contributing to dissemination activities through conference presentations, as well as the preparation of article submissions 
• Supporting the supervision of the work of students and trainees working on the project 

Supervisory Relationships:

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to Hilary Travers, EMPOWER VI Principal Investigator. 

Education and Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in special education, rehabilitation, or other disability-related field required

Experience and Skills:

• Professional and/or personal experience in the field of blindness/visual impairment is required.
• Strong communication, writing, and presentation skills is required.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with multiple people as part of a collaborative team is required.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and execute multiple tasks and meet deadlines is required.
• Strong writing skills are necessary.
• Strong computer skills are necessary.  
• Prior middle or high school teaching and/or administrative experience is preferred. 
• Prior experience delivering training or professional development is preferred.  
• Interest in working with/supporting rural communities is necessary.

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.