Summer Transition Program Director

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Job Description

Job Title: Summer Transition Program Director
Department: Rehabilitation, Workforce and Youth Services
Reports to: Senior Director of Youth Services
Primary Locations: VISIONS Center on Blindness, 111 Summit Park Rd, Spring Valley, NY 10977
Salary Range: $6,750 for the period of July 1 – August 11, 2023

Summary

The Summer Transition Program (STP) Director serves as the primary program administrator for the Summer Transition Program housed at the Vocational Rehabilitation Center, on the campus of VISIONS Center on Blindness. The STP Director will reside on the VCB campus for a minimum of five weeks (up to one week prior to the beginning of the session for preparation and staff training,) and for the four-week duration of the program with scheduled breaks throughout.

The goal of the Summer Transition Program is to provide legally blind youth between the ages of 13 and 18 with opportunities to refine their independent living, orientation and mobility, technology, career and social skills. This is achieved through the participants living in a supervised dormitory setting on the 37-acre campus of VCB. The group takes trips off campus where they will develop travel skills including how to use relevant GPS and mapping apps. The participants will also learn how to cultivate work readiness skills such as resume preparation, interviewing techniques and workplace etiquette. Activities and excursions occurring during the program must emphasize independence and self-advocacy in a supportive but structured environment. It is expected that students will learn to advocate for themselves within a variety of settings. Because this is a program which is serving minors, it requires a substantial amount of constant supervision to minimize risks of inappropriate behaviors, bad decisions and dangerous activities that are common among a teenage population.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

  • Serve as the primary contact for participants, parents, seasonal staff and New York State Commission for the Blind counselors. There will also be active involvement with VISIONS Admin and Rehab staff as well as community contacts (advisory boards, volunteers, etc.).
  • Adhere to the NYSCB requirements for residential programs as outlined in the NYSCB contract.
  • Provide oversight of all day-to-day program management, which includes but is not limited to participant sessions, staff scheduling, reserving transportation, confirming trips, etc.
  • Host virtual and in-person orientation meetings/tours of the VRC for parents and NYSCB counselors prior to the start of the program.
  • Arrange guest visitors (virtual or in-person) on a variety of topics including career exploration, networking, and dressing for success.
  • Coordinate weekly schedule and lessons with CVRT and COMS assigned to the program.
  • Outline and implement weekly career exploration, interest electives and technology enrichment lessons.
  • Plan weekly community field trips based on the interests of the participants, as well as venues with accessibility.
  • Coordinate with VCB and VRC program administrators before and during the program on logistical items such as room assignments, meals, transportation, nurses, overnight coverage and the use of other areas of the facility such as the pool and gymnasium.
  • Distribute and collect participant applications including pertinent information (medical, behavioral, etc.) to ensure program suitability, staff coverage and appropriate room assignments.
  • Conduct participant orientation on the first day of the program to thoroughly review VRC participant handbook and all policies and procedures with the group. Monitor for compliance each week and provide refresher training as needed.
  • Update the STP Google calendar for staff and participants to reflect all weekly academic and recreational sessions plus trips and family visits.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Director of Youth Services, and other staff on recruiting, interviewing and screening summer program staff.
  • Work with a representative from human resources to ensure that all temporary staff have successfully completed the onboarding process including accessing Paycom.
  • Plan and implement a thorough staff training and orientation which should include but is not limited to reviewing participant files, setting up the dorm and program spaces, emergency procedures and iPad tech pointers.
  • Reinforce policies and procedures for staff and participants.
  • Ensure that there is overnight awake coverage for the duration of the program and that it meets the Residential Services Guidelines.
  • Contact parents and NYSCB counselors when necessary throughout the program.
  • Maintain supervision of all staff and visitors to the VCB campus.
  • Keep consistent notes which highlight progress and challenges experienced by participants as well as changes in student’s visual, physical, cognitive and/or emotional functioning.
  • Complete and submit incident reports in a timely manner (within 24 hours) and follow up as required.
  • Manage program petty cash which includes organizing receipts and tracking purchases on a weekly basis.
  • Upon conclusion of each annual session, work with the CVRT, COMS and program staff to complete a written Program Summary Report for each participant. The Program Summary Report should contain an overall summary of the program, specific highlights and an individualized summary of each participant’s involvement in the program, new skills attained and recommendations for future training.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s Degree in education, human services or social work. A Master’s Degree in a related/human services field is a plus.
  • Proficient in use of all standard office applications (word processing, spreadsheets, internet, email, etc.). Experience with assistive technologies used by blind persons, a plus (VoiceOver, JAWS, etc.).
  • Significant experience with virtual telecommunication tools (Zoom, GoogleMeet, FaceTime, etc.)
  • At least two years of management or program supervision experience is preferred, but not required.
  • Willing to be “on call” for up to 24 hours per day on all scheduled work days, at a residential setting for four weeks, plus staff training.
  • High expectations for the success of the participants. A positive attitude and ability to motivate the youth and staff to achieve their maximum potential.
  • Must be organized, self-starting, assertive, resourceful and goal-oriented.
  • Experience working with the teenage population.

Salary Range:

$6,750 for the period of July 1 – August 11, 2023.

To Apply:

Interested applicants should email their resume and cover letter to Melissa Phipps, Senior Director of Youth Services at mphipps@visionsvcb.org

VISIONS is a 501(c)3 nonprofit vision rehabilitation and social service agency incorporated in 1926.  VISIONS provides services for blind and visually impaired people of all ages in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area.

VISIONS is an equal opportunity employer.  All job candidates, consultants, volunteers, and interns 18 years of age and older, must consent to a background investigation after a preliminary job offer, references and education verification. 

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