Employment
Vision Forward is a cutting-edge non-profit organization serving people with vision loss for over 104 years. We are currently seeking a Community Outreach Specialist and an Orientation & Mobility Specialist and to join our team. Learn more with the full job descriptions below!
Community Outreach Specialist
Vision Forward, a cutting-edge non-profit organization, currently has an exciting career opportunity for someone to serve as a full-time Community Outreach Specialist. The ideal candidate is dedicated to collaborating with community partners, individuals and professionals, creating awareness and connecting clients and customers to Vision Forward’s programs and services available to people of all ages with vision loss.
Core Functions:
- In coordination with the Marketing Director, creates and implements an annual strategic outreach plan to reach identified underserved populations across the state of Wisconsin.
- Maintains relationships with collaborative partners and cultivates new partnerships in alignment with program objectives.
- Leads outreach efforts by collaborating with staff to fulfill agency representation at community presentations, exhibits, tours, events, meetings and resource fairs.
- Tracks and evaluates outreach efforts to ensure program effectiveness. Provides detailed reporting on a monthly and quarterly basis and makes recommendations for modifications in outreach plan and targets.
- Coordinates outreach performance surveys.
Pay and Benefits:
- Full time, 40 hours per week
- Paid Time Off – 2 weeks after 90 days, 3 weeks after 3 years of employment and 4 weeks after 5 years of employment
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Company Paid Life Insurance, Long and Short-Term Disability Insurance
- 401k with company match
- Paid Holidays – New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial and Labor Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Essential Requirements
Team player with the ability to work with diverse people including communicating, delegating and supporting staff and volunteers in-person and virtually.
- Willingness to work a flexible schedule, including daytime and/or some evening and weekend hours.
- Ability to create strong partnerships with fantastic customer service skills.
- Strong public speaking, presentation skills and written communication skills.
- Technical computer skills utilizing spreadsheets.
- Skilled in researching potential business opportunities, able to create and maintain partnerships with community agencies and follow up with those partnerships.
- Ability to adapt to changing situations.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate and effectively interact with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, and races, assisting with addressing barriers to participation for clients in underserved communities. Works well and communicates with senior citizens.
- Strong community engagement, partnerships, and local marketing skills.
- Access to dependable transportation to drive to the multiple sites, compliance with the agency policy of automobile insurance limits, and a driving record that meets the agency requirements for coverage of the agency business auto insurance carrier.
- Commitment to Vision Forward’s mission and values.
Desirable Attributes
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing, sales or related field or four years of experience in communications.
- Analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent public speaking, presentation, leadership, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Experience leading/presenting in a virtual and/or hybrid environment.
- Technical computer skills in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, customer relationship management systems, social networking, Zoom, and ability to adapt to emerging technology.
- Ability to write and speak English and Spanish preferred but not required.
Vision Forward is recognized as the premier agency serving people of all ages with vision loss in Southeastern Wisconsin. We empower, educate and enhance the lives of individuals impacted by vision loss through all of life’s transitions. Our vision is that all individuals with vison loss have reached their full potential to lead active and independent lives.
Responsibilities to fulfilling the Vision Forward Mission:
- Promote the dignity of all people living with vision loss.
- Provide exceptional customer service.
- Maintain a positive, cohesive, transparent, and family-friendly environment.
Interested candidates, please send resume to: lorena@hrsherpaz.com
Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Vision Forward, a cutting-edge non-profit organization, currently has a career opportunity for a full-time Orientation and Mobility Specialist, will consider part-time and temporary candidates. The Orientation and Mobility Specialist will provide assessment and training to a wide range of clients with visual impairment and will be responsible for appropriate documentation. This person will participate as a member of a multidisciplinary team that includes technology instruction, occupational therapy, support and optometry.
Responsibilities to fulfilling the Vision Forward mission:
- Promote the dignity of all people living with vision loss.
- Provide exceptional customer service.
- Maintain a positive, cohesive, transparent, and family-friendly environment.
Core functions:
- Assesses clients’ orientation and mobility skills. Working with the client establishes specific and appropriate goals and plans for attaining goals. Recommends appropriate equipment and training for meeting those goals.
- Provides orientation and mobility training in various environments focused on assisting the clients in achieving their goals. Monitors client progress toward goals and adjusts training as needed.
- Works with all Vision Forward staff in the development of innovative programs for adults, youth, and children that foster independent travel skills and motivates clients to use them.
- Educates clients and family members about their particular diagnosis, functional implications, potential interventions, benefits of vision rehabilitation, and other resources within and beyond Vision Forward.
- Completes documentation, billing, and other reporting in a timely and accurate manner. Provides appropriate correspondence for referral sources, like eye care professionals and DVR. Maintains up-to-date and accurate records. Completes accurate entries into electronic medical record. Maintains assigned daily, monthly, and annual reports.
- Actively work and participate in collaboration with members of the Adult Rehabilitation Services team. Makes appropriate cross referrals. Actively participates in team meetings and activities.
- Serves as a resource for clients, families, team members, professionals, and the general community in orientation and mobility. Presents information to groups, participates in health fairs, and markets to referral sources.
- Stays current in practices related to orientation and mobility, medical aspects of vision loss, and devices available for people with vision loss.
The perfect candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:
- Bachelor or master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility, Rehabilitation Teaching / Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, or related field.
- Certification through ACVREP with COMS.
- Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
- An outcome and client focused approach to service delivery.
- Strong self-motivation, an innovative spirit and a desire to exceed expectations of clients, colleagues, and the organization.
- Must always represent Vision Forward in a professional, respectful and courteous manner.
- Experience with assistive technology instruction including screen readers, screen magnification, Braille displays, computer keyboarding, and smart phones/tablets. Certification as a CATIS, or interest in obtaining is preferred.
- Experience with Braille instruction for children or adults. Certification as a TVI preferred.
- Experience and comfort serving children and families with diverse backgrounds.
- Good computer skills and competence in Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook, and Excel. Ability to use an electronic medical record system.
- Clear understanding of HIPAA, FERPA and privacy regulations.
- A valid Wisconsin Driver’s License, proof of insurance and use of a personal automobile is required.
Benefits:
- Paid Time Off – Three weeks and will negotiate additional paid time off based on experience and tenure
- Holidays – New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial and Labor Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the Friday after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
- Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
- Company paid life insurance
- Company paid short and long term disability
- 401K
- Company provided cell phone and laptop
- Strong, experienced, supportive team