Title: Deaf Mentor Coordinator - #DHH00007
State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist I
Hiring Range: Anticipated starting salary up to $50,000
Pay Band: 4
Agency: Dept for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing
Location: Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Agency Website: https://www.vddhh.virginia.gov/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
About the Agency:
The Virginia Department for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) works to reduce the communication barriers between persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and those who are hearing, including family members, service providers, and the general public.
Job Duties:
VDDHH is seeking a Deaf Mentor Coordinator to organize sessions between the Deaf Mentors and the families, coordinating appropriate days, times, and locations according to each family’s needs. The coordinator is responsible for providing Deaf Mentors with any necessary resources to ensure successful sessions and coordinates culturally competent services, including coaching Deaf Mentors, conducting home visits, and performing assessments. The individual must be able to be unbiased, open-minded, and assist family decisions regarding communication, education, or the use of technology. The individual is responsible for maintaining ongoing contact with participating families and Deaf Mentors as necessary to coordinate, oversee, and monitor Deaf Mentor Services and related activities, as well as planning and organizing events to facilitate interactions between Deaf Mentors and their families. This position is responsible for establishing partnerships within local Deaf communities to help families connect with other Deaf or hard-of-hearing adults and children and must have the ability to effectively communicate with various stakeholders, including educators, professionals, and administrators, both with and without the use of interpreters. The position involves delivering presentations on the Deaf Mentor Program to various groups throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Additionally, this position will recruit, train, motivate, direct, monitor, and evaluate Deaf Mentors’ performance. The position also involves following up with Deaf Mentors to evaluate the productivity of their family sessions; following up with families to assess the quality of family sessions; and collecting and reporting outcome data from Deaf Mentors and evaluation data from families regularly. Effective writing skills are necessary. Other duties will include, but not be limited to, connecting families who have been referred to the program with available Deaf Mentors according to location and need, and acting as a Deaf Mentor and providing services to families if necessary. The role also involves assisting Deaf Mentors in the preparation of lesson plans for home visits. The role requires an understanding of various communication modalities such as ASL, Cued Speech, and Spoken English. It also necessitates effective communication in American Sign Language with Deaf mentors, hearing parents, and Deaf children, without the need for an interpreter during family sessions.
Must have the ability to communicate effectively in American Sign Language (ASL) with deaf and deafblind clients, staff, and other stakeholders is required.
This position is not a full-time telework position. The incumbent should be willing to relocate/live within commuting distance of Richmond, VA.
Minimum Qualifications:
Knowledge:
• Knowledge of principles and best practices of program management.
• Knowledge of Federal and State laws applicable to the position
• Knowledge of early childhood development, early intervention &educational processes, including the IFSP and IEP
• Knowledge of Deaf Culture and history with the ability to interact with local D/HH communities
• Knowledge and acceptance of the variety of communication modalities (ASL, Cued Speech, Spoken English)
Skills/Abilities:
• Ability to adhere to the Commonwealth of Virginia requirements and program operating procedures
• Ability to perform as a Deaf Mentor and provide services to families
• Ability to drive a vehicle to provide DM services
• Ability to problem solve when issues arise
• Effective communication of information and ideas with others
• Effective writing skills are necessary to complete reports and evaluations
• Ability to maintain working relationships with staff, families, and outside entities
Additional Considerations:
Monitoring of contractor performance experience preferred
Must be willing to travel statewide and work evenings and weekends
During the probationary period:
- Completion of the SKI-HI Deaf Mentor 3-day training is required
- Completion of the Infant & Toddler of Virginia early intervention training modules is required
Special Instructions:
• This has been designated a sensitive position under Va. Code § 2.2-1201.1.
• A fingerprint-based criminal history check will be required of the finalist candidate.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required, and the ability to communicate effectively in American Sign Language (ASL) with deaf and deafblind clients, staff, and other stakeholders."
Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during the application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact recruitment@dars.virginia.gov for assistance.
Minorities, Individuals with disabilities, Veterans, Americorp, Peace Corps, and other National Service Alumni are encouraged to apply.
To Apply:
Equal Opportunity Employer. State applications will only be accepted as submitted online by 11:55 p.m. on the closing date through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s New Recruitment Management System. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand-delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. PageUp will provide you with a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Contact Information:
Name: Human Resources
Email: Recruitment@dars.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS) or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022, and February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.