[Nfbv-announce] Join The NFBV Project RISE Leadership Team - Paid Opportunities

[Tracy Soforenko]

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Project RISE


Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy, Employment


National Federation of the Blind of Virginia (NFBV)


 


Program Description


Project RISE, (Resilience, Independence, Self-Advocacy, Employment) is a transition program, focusing on providing blind and low vision students with the skills necessary to become competitively employed. These skills will be useful whether the students attend an institution of higher education, a vocational school, or enter the job market directly after high school. Project RISE will combine the knowledge of successful blind professionals, the positive philosophy of the NFB, and a strong curriculum to give blind students, between the ages of 14-22, the skills and confidence they need to be successful. This program has the potential of changing the future of blind students. During this pilot year, Project RISE will be coordinated in northern Virginia.

Throughout the six months, students will meet one Saturday a month, for about five hours, participating in workshops designed to make them more competitive in the job market. Some topic areas include: travel and transportation, independent daily living skills, communication and interview techniques, and dressing appropriately for job settings. Throughout Project RISE, students will have access to successful blind mentors. Finally, students will have some kind of work experience during the summer months. The Saturday programs will run from January to May, with the last program session as a weekend spent at the National Federation of the Blind national center during the month of June. 

 


Program Responsibilities


I.	Program coordinator

Application deadline: Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Approximate Time commitment: 20-25 Hours per week

*	 Develop personal connection with students and parents participating in the program 
*	Collect and review student applications, if necessary
*	Conduct in person intakes with students and parents 
*	Administer Pre and post assessments to measure students’ progress
*	Create and track monthly reports on students
*	Organize and coordinate monthly events
*	Develop lesson plans in accordance with the curriculum and adjust topics according to students’ needs
*	Develop lesson plans which include interactive activities, discussion topics, and any follow up reading and assignments
*	Develop rubric to give feedback on written assignments
*	Maintain contact with students and parents between monthly events
*	Manage mentors and delegate work as necessary
*	Develop and complete end of year reports for every student
*	Act as liaison between key stakeholders to insure contract terms are met 
*	Other responsibilities as assigned

 

                                                                                                       II.            Logistics Coordinator

Application deadline: Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Approximate Time commitment: 10-15 Hours per Week

*	Create and assist in implementing a strategic marketing plan
*	Make appointments for one on one intakes with students and parents
*	Make reminder calls to students and parents about upcoming events
*	Research transportation options for students
*	Arrange transportation for students who need it
*	Arrange location of monthly meetings in advance
*	Acquire any needed materials for events such as metro passes, classroom materials etc.
*	Coordinate the scheduling of participants in the resource fair and logistics for the NFB National Center visit in Baltimore 
*	Arrange for food and beverages at events
*	Set up a check in process for all events
*	Find and arrange for interpreters for parent events if necessary
*	Ensure that all bills are authorized by the NFB of Virginia President and paid by the NFB of Virginia Treasurer
*	Ensure that invoices to the funders are submitted with appropriate back up material to support invoice payment
*	Work closely with Program coordinator to be assigned any other duties as necessary

 

                                                                                                                             III.            Mentors

Application deadline: Sunday, October 15, 2017

Approximate Time commitment: 5 Hours a month for events, 1.5 hours a week in addition to monthly events

*	 Serve as point of contact for a small group of students
*	Follow up with students in between events
*	Assist in giving feedback to students on their writing assignments
*	Complete any other duties as assigned by Program coordinator or Logistics Coordinator

 


Requirements for Personnel Contractors


All those contracted to provide services are required to go through a background check, performed by the state of Virginia.

The Program Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator must reside in the northern Virginia area.

The Program Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator must be able and willing to begin providing services as early as September 15 and plan to continue providing such services for the following year (until September, 2018.)

All mentors must be able and willing to commute to the northern Virginia area for all program trainings, events, and meetings.

 

If  awarded a contract, individuals will be serving as part time independent contractors subject to the terms outlined in the contract, and not as employees of the national Federation of the Blind of Virginia

The compensation will be provided on an hourly basis and excludes additional benefits of any kind.

 


Next Steps


If interested, send a resume and cover letter to Tracy Soforenko, President of the national Federation of the Blind of Virginia, tracy.soforenko at gmail.com <mailto:tracy.soforenko at gmail.com>  by the specified deadline listed above. Interviews will be coordinated dependent on your qualifications and experience.

 

Tracy Soforenko

President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia

202 285-4595

 <mailto:Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com> Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com