SSP​/CoNavigator Coordinator

SSP/Co Navigator Coordinator

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it's a community.

Since 1967, Helen Keller National Center (HKNC) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are Deaf Blind or have a combined hearing and vision loss. HKNC is dedicated to working with each person to achieve their desired goals towards independence, employment, and quality of life, based on their talents, preferences and aspirations.

We currently have an exciting career opportunity available to join the HKNC team as a full-time SSP/Co Navigator Coordinator. The SSP/Co navigator Coordinator is responsible for the development and implementation of a Support Service Provider (SSP) Program for all consumers and employees who are Deaf Blind attending or working at Helen Keller National Center (HKNC). This role incorporates the Co Navigator model to establish HKNC as a training ground to empower our consumers to advocate, communicate, and be self-sustainable.

This position leads communication access initiatives, focusing on ASL, Haptics, and Protactile Language, and participates in experiential research to support Deaf Blind individuals.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Program Coordination & Service Delivery

• Coordinate and schedule SSPs, Co Navigators, and unpaid volunteers, thoughtfully matching them with Deaf Blind consumers and HKNC staff based on communication skills and personal preferences.
• Provide group or individual instruction to consumers on effective collaboration with SSPs and Co Navigators, fostering self-sustainability and independence.
• Promote operational compliance by ensuring consumers, staff, SSPs, Co Navigators, and Unpaid volunteers adhere to established program policies and procedures.
• Accommodate consumer needs by providing evening and weekend training or coordination support as required.

Communication Access & Training

• Coordinate communication accessibility training to elevate the agency's use of direct ASL, Haptics, and Protactile Language for comprehensive environmental and visual access.
• Partner with Information, Research, and Professional Development (IRPD) to develop curriculum and facilitate specialized training workshops for SSPs, Co Navigators, and unpaid volunteers.
• Provide direct instruction in Haptics, Protactile, and/or Tactile American Sign Language to Deaf Blind participants.

Recruitment & Community Partnerships

• Execute targeted recruitment strategies to source potential SSPs and volunteers from diverse community channels, including colleges, universities, interpreting programs, and church groups.
• Foster community partnerships in collaboration with Regional Representatives to expand recruitment pipelines and develop external training opportunities for professionals.
• Collaborate with the leadership team to build public awareness regarding HKNC programs, actively promoting Deaf Blind culture and inclusion

Program Strategy, Quality Assurance & Administration

• Document and implement applied strategies for adapting the SSP/Co Navigator model to serve Deaf Blind individuals with additional complex disabilities, ensuring equitable service delivery.
• Maintain service quality by providing operational guidance and support to SSPs and volunteers, offering feedback when appropriate.
• Administer program logistics, including processing invoices, evaluating consumer satisfaction, and resolving program barriers in partnership with applicable agency teams.
• Maintain comprehensive programmatic records, tracking service assignment utilization and providing necessary documentation for program budgeting/performance reporting.
• Participate in grant writing and other strategic initiatives to secure future funding, support grant reporting, and promote program expansion locally and statewide.

Responsible for other duties as may be assigned or requested by his/her immediate supervisor and/or the Director of the Department.

Direct Reports include Per Diem SSPs

Required education…