Employment Opportunities
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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.
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.
Current Employment Opportunities
Director of Program Services
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: President/CEO
JOB STATUS AND CLASSIFICATION: Exempt
LOCATION: This position will be based in Tampa, FL with frequent visits to our office located in Winter Haven, FL
Lighthouse for the Blind & Low Vision is currently seeking a Director of Program Services. This is a leadership position which will provide direction, support and supervision for Tampa Rehabilitation and Polk County Rehabilitation staff. In addition, this position will have oversight for the building and grounds at our facilities located in Winter Haven and Tampa.
Key Responsibilities and Duties:
- Provide day to day support for all functions and activities of both Tampa and Polk County Rehabilitation Services including Social Services, Independent Living (including Rehabilitation Teaching and Orientation & Mobility), Supported Employment, Vocational Evaluation, Job Development, Early Intervention, Transition, Store and Client transportation.
- Provide ongoing supervision, information, support and training to direct reports; complete annual reviews, work plans and recommend development goals.
- Maintain good working relations with the Division of Blind Services, funders and community agencies that work with the Lighthouse.
- Attend staff, program and department meetings as required. Ensure that all staff have information and support they need to maintain effectiveness.
- Maintain program functions, policies and practices that provide quality support by monitoring programs and providing timely information as requested; ensure adherence to policies and procedures.
- Overall responsibility for coordinating maintenance and repair of building and grounds at the Winter Haven and Tampa locations.
- Maintain an overall vision in conjunction with organization/departmental mission, goals and objectives.
- Other duties and projects as assigned.
Qualifications & Requirements:
- Prefer a certification in one of the following areas: CVRT, COMS or TVI.
- Prefer a minimum of five years’ experience managing a large staff effectively.
- Must have good people skills and have the ability to manage multisite locations.
- Must be able to work onsite and travel to the Winter Haven office weekly.
- Must possess good writing skills to prepare reports for funders and grants.
- Must be able to manage multiple duties and return emails, text messages and phone calls promptly.
- Must be able to establish and maintain appropriate collaborative relationships with other organizations that share common interests.
- Demonstrate leadership skills and team building skills.
- Ability to work with diverse employees from all backgrounds.
- Some night and weekend work is required.
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 (Openings at): Tampa, FL and Winter Haven, FL
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.
Positions will be based at 1106 West Platt Street, Tampa, Florida and 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.