Employment

Vision Forward is a cutting-edge non-profit organization serving people with vision loss for over 104 years.  We are currently seeking an Events and Volunteer Coordinator, a Philanthropy Coordinator, an Orientation & Mobility Specialist and a Community Outreach Specialist to join our team.  Learn more with the full job descriptions below!

Events and Volunteer Coordinator

Vision Forward, a cutting-edge non-profit organization, currently has an exciting career opportunity for someone to serve as a part-time Events and Volunteer Coordinator. This position is responsible for leading meaningful events for donors, clients, volunteers, and other stakeholders. In addition, recruits, engages, and recognizes volunteers in meaningful opportunities that support Vision Forward Mission.

Responsibilities:

• Work to fulfill Vision Forward’s Mission: Empower, educate and enhance the lives of individuals impacted by vision loss through all of life’s transitions.
• Plan, coordinate and implement special events and programmatic events from start to finish, including coordinating committee meetings, securing items for events and auctions, conducting wrap-up evaluations and preparing final reports.
• Work collaboratively and creatively with marketing, philanthropy and program staff.
• Recruit, engage and coordinate volunteer committees to assist with events. Set goals, logistics and all details related to achieving successful events.
• Manage the day-to-day responsibilities for the volunteer program, planning, coordinating, responding to volunteer inquiries and implementing opportunities.
• Appropriately and effectively communicate with volunteers, maintain a volunteer database, collect and enter program statistics to track the impact of program efforts.
• Coordinate volunteer recognition efforts.

Core Functions:

• Lead Vision Forward programmatic and fundraising events from goal setting and planning to execution and follow up.
• Coordinate all event planning and logistical details, including volunteer needs, equipment rentals, audio/visual needs, venue, seating, speakers, guest lists, etc.
• Work closely with marketing and communication staff to create event invitations, promotions, sponsorship benefits and event materials.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with event vendors, partners, volunteers, and guests.
• Delegate event planning tasks to staff members where necessary.
• Manage on-site day-of event logistics to ensure the event runs smoothly, troubleshoot issues, oversee setup and teardown, etc.
• Ensure all donations, sponsorships, in-kind items, event revenue and attendees are tracked, processed, recorded and acknowledged.
• Maintain and update volunteer policies and procedures.
• Maintain volunteer database and required tracking documentation.  Produce monthly and quarterly volunteer reports.
• Identify and determine opportunities for volunteers through consultation with staff, volunteers and members. Keep Philanthropy Coordinator informed of new and lapsed volunteers contact information.
• Process volunteer applications. Interview, train, schedule and supervise volunteer assignments.  Conduct new volunteer orientations.
• Schedule and facilitate necessary volunteer trainings throughout the year.

Desired Characteristics: 

• Exceptional organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Experience working with a volunteer database preferred.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize and respond to immediate requests.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Excel and Outlook
• Strong time management skills
• Team player who can work independently.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Strong customer service skills

Benefits:

• Part-time position, 22-26 hours per week
• Monday-Friday, flexible schedule, no weekends
• Paid Time Off – 1 week after 1 year (prorate based on yearly hours worked), an additional week on year 5 (prorated based on yearly hours worked)
• Dental & Vision – 50% premium paid by Vision Forward
• Holidays (closed, but not paid) – 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
• 401K – after three months of service, Vision Forward matches 100% on the dollar of the first 3% and 50% of the next 2% of every dollar you contribute.
• Strong, experienced, supportive team

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to: Lorena Pittman at lorena@hrsherpaz.com.

Philanthropy Coordinator

Vision Forward has a fulfilling career opportunity for someone to serve as a part-time Philanthropy Coordinator.  The ideal candidate will take full responsibility for all administrative aspects of the philanthropy team, and management of the program database.

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: 

• Process donations, prepare acknowledgement letters and other print or digital donor correspondence.
• Create and analyze monthly fundraising and programmatic reports. Prepare mailing contact lists.   
• Track contact information and action items for prospects and other key stakeholders.
• Continually update and correct database records, ensuring data integrity.
• Conduct preliminary research on prospective corporate, foundation, individual and other donors.
• Respond in a timely, professional manner to donor inquiries. 
• Maintain guest lists and provide other assistance as assigned for fundraising meetings, events, donor meetings and tours. 
• Prepare and review departmental financial reports, working in cooperation with the agency’s finance team.  Provide information for annual audit. 
• Gather and maintain agency statistics to report to donors and prospects. 
• Use agency program databases to gather information for reports, monthly metrics and prospect lists.
• Assist philanthropy and community relations team with reminders for connecting with key constituents.  
• Ensure compliance with donor restrictions and guidelines. 
• Maintain departmental information in an organized manner.

Desired Characteristics: 

• Exceptional organizational skills and strong attention to detail
• Experience working with a donor database preferred.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to prioritize and respond to immediate requests.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, Excel and Outlook
• Strong time management skills
• Team player who can work independently.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Respect for donor and client confidentiality

Benefits:

• Part-time position, 24-28 hours per week
• Monday-Friday, flexible schedule, no weekends
• Paid Time Off – 1 week after 1 year (prorate based on yearly hours worked), an additional week on year 5 (prorated based on yearly hours worked)
• Dental & Vision – 50% premium paid by Vision Forward
• Holidays (closed, but not paid) – 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
• 401K – after three months of service, Vision Forward matches 100% on the dollar of the first 3% and 50% of the next 2% of every dollar you contribute.
• Strong, experienced, supportive team

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to: Lorena Pittman at 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.

Vision Forward is recognized as the premier agency serving people of all ages with vision loss in 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 vision 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.

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

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to: Lorena Pittman at lorena@hrsherpaz.com.

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.
• Strong business sales professional background experience. 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.
• Skilled in conflict management and 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