Title: Deaf Mentor Coordinator/Wage - #DHHWE007

State Role Title: Prog Admin Specialist I

Hiring Range: Negotiable up to $25.00/Hr.

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Dept for Deaf & Hard-of-Hearng

Location: Deaf & Hard of Hearing

Agency Website:  https://www.vddhh.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) promotes accessible communication so that persons who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing may fully participate in programs, services and opportunities throughout the Commonwealth.

Job Duties:

The Virginia Department of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) seeks a Deaf Mentor Coordinator/Wage.

Duties include but not limited to:

1. Connects families referred program with available Deaf Mentors according to location/need. Can act as a Deaf Mentor if necessary. Assists Deaf Mentors in preparing lesson plans for home visits. Understands the use of a variety of communication modalities including ASL, Cued Speech, and Spoken English; Able to communicate effectively in American Sign Language with Deaf Mentors/hearing parents/Deaf children without an interpreter during family sessions. 
2. Organizes sessions between the Deaf Mentors and the families, coordinating to each family’s needs. Provides and coordinates culturally competent services including coaching Deaf Mentors, conducting home visits, and performing assessments. Can be unbiased, open-minded and an advocate for family decisions regarding communication, education, or use of technology. Maintains ongoing contact with participating families/Deaf Mentors to coordinate, oversee and monitor Deaf Mentor Services and related activities. Provides presentations about the Deaf Mentor Program to diverse groups across the Commonwealth of Virginia.
3. Provides Deaf Mentors with resources needed to ensure successful sessions. Establishes partnerships within local Deaf communities helping families connect with other Deaf or Hard of Hearing adults and/or children. Plans and hosts events for Deaf Mentors and families to meet and greet.
4. Recruits, trains, motivates, directs, monitors, and evaluates Deaf Mentors’ performance. Follows up with Deaf Mentors to assess the productivity. Follows up with families to assess. Collects and reports outcome data from Deaf Mentors and evaluation data from families on a regular basis.
5. Manages the program including developing policy and operating procedures, forms, and reports. Work with state employees in areas of procurement, fiscal and budget, information technology, and other business operations to comply with state requirements and protocols. Meets with and reports to the supervisor on a regular basis.

This is a wage (part-time) position and will work on average of 29 hours a week and can’t exceed 1500 hours during their employment year. This position does not include health insurance, retirement or leave.

Minimum Qualifications:

The ideal candidate will have:

Knowledge/Experience:

• 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 ability to interact with local D/HH communities.
• Knowledge and acceptance of the variety of communication modalities (ASL, Cued Speech, Spoken English)
• Experience working in Early Childhood and/or a Deaf Education field.
• Training and/or experience Deaf Education, Early Childhood, or a related field
• ASLPI: Level 3.5 or SLPI: Advanced Plus
• Completion of SKI-HI Deaf Mentor Training (to be provided by the program).
• Completion of Infant & Toddler of Virginia early intervention training modules

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to adhere to Commonwealth of Virginia requirements and program operating procedures.
• Adheres to Deaf Mentor hiring process.
• Ability to perform as a Deaf Mentor and provide services to families.
• Is able to drive personal vehicle to provide DM services.
• Ability to problem solve when issues arise.
• Effective communication of information and ideas with others
• Effective writing skills necessary to complete reports and evaluations.
• Maintains working relationships with staff, families, and outside entities.
• Ability to recruit, train, motivate and direct the Deaf Mentors

Additional Considerations:

• Supervisory experience.

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.
• Must be able to pass FBI and State background check or Fingerprint Clearance Card

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- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.