[Blindtlk] Job posting SUPERINTENDENT Illinois School for the Visually Impaired

[Patti Gregory-Chang]

The Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS)

is seeking qualified candidates for the following vacancy:





SUPERINTENDENT

Illinois School for the Visually Impaired

Jacksonville, Illinois





The superintendent of the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired 
(ISVI) performs job duties for approximately 100 students whose 
primary disability is visual impairment and who also may have 
secondary disabilities, ages birth to 22.



General responsibilities include:



C                    Oversight of all school administration and 
operations, including educational, residential, transition and 
related programs.

C                    Set high standards and ensure they are met when 
planning, organizing and directing staff in delivering high-quality 
educational and residential programming to promote cognitive, 
physical and social growth of students in compliance with the 
Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) mandates and state and 
federal statutes.

C                    Establishing and maintaining positive 
relationships with outside agencies, including DHS, ISBE, state and 
local education agencies, the ISVI Advisory Council,  parent 
organizations, alumni association, services providers, national 
organizations and community service organizations, in particular, the 
Lions Club.

C                    Establishing fiscal oversight/control of school 
budgets including strategic and fiscal planning with the DHS Budget 
Division and other entities.

C                    Establishing and maintaining a good, strong 
working relationship with the various unions represented on campus, 
including contract negotiations and interpreting collective bargaining rights.

C                    Representing ISVI, DHS and the state of Illinois 
at hearings, meetings and conferences and serve as liaison to 
advocates, community service agencies, parents and the general public 
on issues related to the education of students who are visually impaired.







Specific responsibilities include:



C                    Ensure ongoing curriculum development.

C                    Support and promote vocational programs within 
the transition curriculum.

C                    Establish good communication and effective 
working relationships with internal and external entities, the media, 
legislators, etc., following proper procedures and protocol for 
notification to DHS administration.

C                    Ensure understanding of and adherence to ISVI=s 
mission, key policies and compliance requirements.

C                    Direct strategic planning activities utilizing 
members of the Advisory Council, advocacy groups, key staff and other 
stakeholders.

C                    Ensure an effective staff complement, including 
the recruitment, training and development, performance management, 
support and retention of qualified staff.

C                    Enforce ethics standards for all students, staff 
and employees of ISVI.

C                    Ensure the delivery of high quality programming 
by the principal, director of support services and other key 
administrators and staff.

C                    Support staff in the continuous upgrade of 
curriculum, training and technical resources.

C                    Promote programs and curriculum for all students 
across the state through a revolving door program.

C                    Make use of, as well as ensure training and use 
by staff of data bases, including test scores and their 
interpretation, graduation rates, transition outcomes, etc.

C                    Make proposals and recommendations as an 
Ex-officio member of boards such as the Illinois Blind Children=s 
Foundation, American Printing House for the Blind, Association for 
Education and Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired, etc.



Qualifications:



C                    An advanced degree in special education or 
related field (doctorate preferred)

C                    Must be vision certified (or receive vision 
certification within a specified time period)

C                    A Type 75 Administrative certificate



C                    Superintendent endorsement (or in the process of 
getting this within a specific time limit)

C                    Minimum three years teaching experience with 
students with visual impairments

C                    Minimum three years experience in educational 
administration

C                    Knowledge of rules and regulations applying to a 
24 hr. residential and special education program, including the 
program areas pertinent to ISVI.

C                    Must have working knowledge of federal statues 
related to special education, IDEA, the Americans with Disabilities 
Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Illinois School Code.

C                    Requires effective communication abilities in 
writing, speaking, listening and including self management and 
interpersonal skills.

C                    Must be a child centered leader and understand 
behavior issues related to disabilities.

C                    Must have knowledge and understanding of 
secondary disabilities.





Salary Range and Benefits:



The annual salary range for this twelve month position is $51,540 to 
$126,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications (up to five 
percent over current salary, not to exceed $126,000).  The position 
is exempt from the Illinois Personnel Code but receives all health 
care, vision care, dental and life insurance benefits.  Direct 
deposit, deferred compensation, liberal benefit days and other 
payroll benefits are also available.



About ISVI and Jacksonville, Illinois:



The ISVI campus is located on ten acres with twelve physical 
structures in Jacksonville, Illinois, approximately 37 miles west of 
Springfield, the capitol of Illinois.  Springfield is a progressive 
city with a population of 115,000 and has two state of the art 
hospital complexes.  ISVI is a state funded public residential school.



ISVI has a birth to three program, summer program for parents and 
infants, and summer camps for students who do not attend ISVI on a 
full time basis. There are approximately 147 staff and several unions 
represented on campus.









Jacksonville is a historic, socially and economically stable town 
with a population of approximately 35,000 and several unique 
amenities: two colleges, two high schools, a theater guild, thriving 
art community, symphony orchestra, two golf courses, 
boating/water/recreational area, mass transit, the Illinois School 
for the Deaf, and other state operated facilities.  Jacksonville is a 
developing community with an expanding hospital complex and a great 
place to raise children.  A variety of community organizations for 
civic service and social contact are available including the 
Jacksonville Center for Independent Living, the Lions Club, Rotary 
and Kiwanis Clubs.  The Jacksonville community actively supports the 
presence and activities of ISVI.



If interested and qualified for this position, send resume no later 
than May 1, 2010 to



Marjorie Olson

Education Liaison

DHS/DRS

400 West Lawrence

Hay Edwards Building

Springfield  IL  62794-9429



Or



Marjorie.Olson at Illinois.gov



Interviews are tentatively scheduled for May 25th and 26th and June 
1st and June 2nd, with a tentative start date of July 1, 2010.  If 
you have questions, please call Marjorie Olson at 217-524-1379 (V/TTY).








P.S.  National Federation of the Blind of Illinois is now on twitter 
at www.twitter.com/nfbi.
We also have a facebook page.  Just search for our full name.

Patti Gregory-Chang
President, National Federation of the Blind of Illinois
pattichang at att.net
www.nfbofillinois.org