Candidates with sensory loss/dual sensory loss are encouraged to apply for this position and may be given preference in hiring as permitted by federal laws. Information related to disability is not required, and if disclosed voluntarily, will be used only in AIDB’s efforts to create opportunities for disabled individuals. Non-disclosure will not subject any applicant to adverse treatment.
POSITION TITLE: Chief Educational Programs Officer
LOCATION: Talladega, Alabama
REPORTS TO: President, AIDB
ABOUT ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND (AIDB)
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the world’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and service program serving individuals of all ages who are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, multidisabled, and their families. Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 30,000 infants, toddlers, children, adults, and senior citizens with hearing and vision loss throughout Alabama each year.
Our services span a lifetime and include five campuses in Talladega, a statewide network of regional centers, Early Intervention services, traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities in residential, day, and outreach settings, and a manufacturing facility known as Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB), the state’s largest employer of adults who are Blind. AIDB’s three K-12 schools — Alabama School for the Blind, Alabama School for the Deaf, and Helen Keller School of Alabama — provide specialized educational services that empower students to achieve their full potential.
Our employees are among the organization’s most valuable assets and resources. We share a commitment to leveling the playing field for all. Our mission makes AIDB a unique place to work.
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Basic Qualifications
- Education: Master’s degree in Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, or Educational Administration.
- Administrative Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of recent (within the last six years) senior administrative experience.
- Programmatic Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of experience with programs that serve children who are deaf and/or blind.
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced Degree: Doctorate in Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, or Educational Administration.
- Setting Experience: Experience working with residential programs serving individuals who are Deaf, Blind, or DeafBlind.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Student Instruction & Training
- Instructional Leadership: Provide leadership, vision, and strategic direction for AIDB instructional programs, encompassing the curricular components across all three K-12 programs.
- Best Practices: Drive the identification, implementation, and evaluation of evidence-based best practices in educating AIDB students.
- Accreditation: Assume direct responsibility for obtaining and maintaining excellent accreditation status for all K-12 programs.
Administration & Observation
- Data-Driven Evaluation: Collect student, consumer, and program data to measure program success, student outcomes, and systemic progress toward strategic planning goals.
- Annual Accountability: Develop and coordinate needs assessments, comprehensive in-service programs, and programmatic evaluations using measurable data to determine efficiency on an annual basis.
- Operational Oversight: Review and approve essential personnel and financial administrative items, including payroll, purchase requisitions, travel authorizations, and travel vouchers.
- Facilities Care: Coordinate with the Chief Financial Officer and Maintenance Department to ensure the care, maintenance, and safekeeping of school buildings, grounds, and campus equipment.
- Event Coordination: Coordinate and lead formal institutional activities, including Baccalaureate and graduation events.
Outreach & Development
- Outreach Supervision: Provide leadership and operational oversight for outreach services serving Deaf, Blind, and DeafBlind children throughout the State of Alabama.
- Agency Relations: Assist the President in sustaining professional, effective relationships with local, state, and federal agencies or organizations affecting AIDB.
- State Reporting: Assist in the preparation and submission of mandated reports and materials to the State Budget Office, State Legislature, State Department of Education, and other external regulatory agencies.
- Advancement & Fundraising: Partner with the Office of Institutional Advancement to participate in fundraising programs and communicate AIDB instructional activities to the public.
Professional Development and Certifications
- Sign Language Proficiency: A sign language proficiency level of INTERMEDIATE according to the AIDB evaluation system must be obtained within the first thirty-six (36) months of employment.
- Legal and Statutory Knowledge: Maintain an expert-level understanding of federal and state statutes, policies, and laws concerning educational administration, utilizing this to make policy recommendations to the President.
- Professional Growth: Maintain top-tier professional competence through ongoing participation in in-service training, educational activities, professional organizations, conferences, and courses.
- Legal Resolution: Coordinate and work cooperatively with the President, AIDB Board of Trustees, administrative staff, and AIDB legal counsel to resolve institutional complaints and lawsuits.
- State Designee: Serve directly as AIDB’s designated representative on the Commission on Government Accountability.
Upon offer of employment, the applicant must submit to a fingerprint background check at an agency designated and paid by AIDB. This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities, and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned.
Benefits:
Health, dental, and vision insurance available
Teachers Retirement System (TRS)
Deferred compensation options available
Paid time off
Paid holidays
SALARY: $100,000.00 - $145,000.00 Scale A1 Rank 02
