Chief Adult and Field Services Officer

POSITION TITLE:  Chief Adult Programs Officer

LOCATION:  Talladega, Alabama

REPORTS TO:   President, AIDB 

ABOUT ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND (AIDB)

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the world’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and service program serving individuals of all ages who are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, multidisabled, and their families. Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 30,000 infants, toddlers, children, adults, and senior citizens with hearing and vision loss throughout Alabama each year.

Our services span a lifetime and include five campuses in Talladega, a statewide network of regional centers, Early Intervention services, traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities in residential, day, and outreach settings, and a manufacturing facility known as Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB), the state’s largest employer of adults who are Blind. AIDB’s three K-12 schools — Alabama School for the Blind, Alabama School for the Deaf, and Helen Keller School of Alabama — provide specialized educational services that empower students to achieve their full potential.

Our employees are among the organization’s most valuable assets and resources. We share a commitment to leveling the playing field for all. Our mission makes AIDB a unique place to work.                                    

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Basic Qualifications

• Education: Master’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Education Administration, Vocational Rehabilitation, Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, or Special Education.
• Administrative Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of recent (within the last six years) senior administrative experience.
• Fiscal Experience: Proven experience directly managing complex budgets containing multiple funding streams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree: Doctorate in Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, or Educational Administration.
• Setting Experience: Experience working with programs serving individuals who are Deaf, Blind, or DeafBlind.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Instruction & Training

• Program Enhancement: Provide visionary leadership in existing programs and direct strategic planning initiatives to enhance and expand instructional programs.
• Best Practice Implementation: Provide overarching leadership and direction for identifying and implementing best practices in Vocational Rehabilitation, Early Intervention, and the employment of individuals with disabilities.

Administration & Observation

• Executive Coordination & Approval: Provide administrative coordination, supervision, and formal approval to the Directors of Alabama Industries for the Blind, E. H. Gentry Facility, and Field Services for all operations.
• Contract Management: Coordinate and approve all formal agreements, contracts, and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with business partners, the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (ADRS), and Early Intervention (EI).
• Fiscal Management: Assist the Chief Financial Officer and Departmental Administrators in the development and management of complex operational budgets.
• Administrative Approvals: Review and approve essential personnel and financial administrative items, including payroll, purchase requisitions, travel authorizations, and travel vouchers.
• Data Evaluation: Collect comprehensive program data to evaluate program success, outcomes, and progress made toward systemic strategic planning goals.
• Annual Accountabilities: Develop and coordinate needs assessments, comprehensive in-service programs, and programmatic evaluations utilizing measurable data to determine efficiency on an annual basis.
• Partnerships: Provide oversight for State and Federal partnerships.

Outreach & Development

• Legislative Liaison: Oversee contracts and manage high-level advocacy relationships with local, state, and federal partners, including members of the Alabama State House and Alabama’s Congressional Delegation.
• Board Representation: Represent the E. H. Gentry Facility and Field Services on all local, state, and federal boards and advisory committees, or formally approve and monitor a qualified designee.
• Agency Relations: Assist the President in maintaining professional and effective relationships with local, state, and federal agencies or organizations affecting the welfare of AIDB.
• State Reporting: Assist in the preparation and submission of mandated reports and materials to the State Budget Office, State Legislature, and other external regulatory agencies.
• Advancement & Fundraising: Partner with the Office of Institutional Advancement to participate in fundraising programs and communicate AIDB program activities to the public.

Professional Development and Certifications

• Sign Language Proficiency: A sign language proficiency level of INTERMEDIATE according to the AIDB evaluation system must be obtained within the first thirty-six (36) months of employment.
• Statutory Knowledge: Maintain an expert-level understanding of federal and state statutes and laws concerning Rehabilitation & Employment Programs for people with disabilities, including but not limited to the Rehabilitation Act and the Javits Wagner O’Day Act.
• Policy Advice: Make data-driven recommendations to the President for policies and procedures in accordance with state and federal laws.
• Legal Collaboration: Coordinate and work cooperatively with the President, AIDB Board of Trustees, administrative staff, and AIDB legal counsel in the resolution of complaints and lawsuits related to areas of responsibility.
• Professional Growth: Maintain top-tier professional competence through ongoing participation in in-services, educational activities, professional organizations, conferences, courses, and readings.

Upon offer of employment, the applicant must submit to a fingerprint background check at an agency designated and paid by AIDB. This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities, and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits:

• Health, dental, and vision insurance available

• Teachers Retirement System (TRS)

• Deferred compensation options available

• Paid time off

• Paid holidays

SALARY:    $100,000.00 - $145,000.00             Scale A1 Rank 02

Direct deposit is required.