Employment Opportunity

Program Description

Project RISE (Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy, Employment) is a pre-employment transition program within the state of Virginia and part of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia, focusing on providing blind and low vision students with the skills necessary to become competitively employed. Students between the ages of 14 and 21 come together to enjoy monthly sessions during the school year, participating in workshops designed to make them more competitive in the job market and successful in their next step of life, whatever that may be. Students then engage in work-based learning opportunity, which may include paid or unpaid internship during the summer months. This program promotes positive blindness philosophy, while providing fun and engaging activities for high school and college students. Our program relies on a staff of approximately ten individuals, including a Program Coordinator, Marketing and Logistics Coordinator and a group of mentors. During each academic year, monthly sessions are organized between in-person, virtual, and weekend-long programming.

Program Coordinator

Approximately: 40 hours a week | Fulltime Location: While this is a virtual position, all programming and meetings are in the Virginia or surrounding areas Required Duties:

• Manage the overall program including the strategic direction, relationship management, engagement of stakeholders, and staffing
• Build and maintain relationships with the state agency, business partners, VR counselors, and other key stakeholders to ensure program sustainability and growth
• Develop and execute curricula for each session, accommodating for various learning styles and differentiating instruction
• Oversee, manage, and supervise approximately ten staff members, including Marketing and Logistics Coordinator and program mentors, on a day-to-day basis
• Coordinate continuous training of staff and students
• Monitor student progress and concerns, while managing pre-employment transition services
• Recruit students and staff to program
• Develop and execute a strategy and implementation plan for student work experiences
• Coordinate closely with the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia for volunteer opportunities, membership involvement, and collaboration at the chapter and affiliate levels
• Reports directly to the affiliate president of the National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

Preferred Traits:

• Experience with classroom teaching or program management/execution
• Familiar with Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) and pre-employment transition services for youth
• Experience working with blind and low vision youth
• Bachelor’s Degree in related field, such as Human Services, Social Work, Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable under changing circumstances in a fast-pace environment

Requirements for Personnel Contractors

All those contracted to provide services are required to go through a background check, performed by the state of Virginia. If awarded a contract, individuals will be providing services subject to the terms outlined in the independent contract. The compensation will be provided on a monthly basis and excludes additional benefits of any kind.

Next Steps

If interested in this fulltime opportunity, send a resume, cover letter, and information on two references to: rise@nfbv.org by Thursday, July 15, 2021. Interviews will be coordinated dependent on your qualifications and experience.