Tag Archive

Employment

A listing of employment opportunities that may appeal to blind and visually impaired individuals.

Getting Started

Getting Started

Have you or someone you know recently been diagnosed as legally blind?

LightHouse is here to support you wherever you are in your changing vision.

Am I “Blind”? Am I “Visually Impaired?”

Of the 285 million people in the world who are blind or have low vision, only a relatively small percentage have no light perception. For everyone else, blindness is a gradation. Some people see quite clearly, in certain light conditions. Others see only shapes and colors.

For some, their field of vision is complex and hard to explain. The diversity of these extra functions is what makes blindness particularly confusing to the unacquainted observer.

For those with changing vision, the daunting part is not usually the fear of darkness, but the fear of admitting that you’re different.

Who qualifies for LightHouse services?

LightHouse is based in the San Francisco Bay Area and we serve the greater Bay Area and north to the Oregon border. If you are outside of our geographic area, please still give us a call and we can connect you to a service provider in your area.

If you have a blind or visually impaired child between the ages of 0 to 3, you are eligible for LightHouse Little Learners. Little Learners serves the California Central Valley and the Greater Bay Area.
If you have both vision and hearing loss, our Deafblind program serves all of California.

What types of programs do you offer?

Access Technology

Learn how to use technology, like smart phones and computers, using accessible technology through one-on-one training.

Community Services

Throughout the year, we host outings, classes, recreational activities, and events for community members who are blind or have low vision of all ages to learn, connect, and thrive.

Deafblind Program

The Deafblind Program provides training, resources and support to persons who have both vision and hearing loss. The goal of the program is to ensure that deaf-blind individuals have access to information and the skills needed to live independent and productive lives. As part of this goal, the LightHouse operates the FCC program to ensure deaf-blind individuals receive free equipment and training to suit their needs.

Enchanted Hills Camp

Founded in 1950 by Rose Resnick, Enchanted Hills now holds not only our annual summer camp sessions, but also hosts classes, workshops, retreats and seminars in a beautiful setting high atop Napa’s Mount Veeder.

Independent Living Skills

Independent Living Skills include training in orientation and mobility, braille, cooking, and other independent living skills. Instruction methods include one-on-one, group, ongoing, and immersive options.

Little Learners

Launch in 2021, the LightHouse Little Learners program is here to help families with children aged birth to three who are blind, Deafblind have low vision, or a neurological visual impairment.

Volunteer Services

Volunteers

Youth Programs

The LightHouse offers a diverse array of outings, social events, and personal/professional development opportunities for young adult and high school-aged youth.

How do I get started?

To get started, email info@lighthouse-sf.org or call 415 – 694 – 7323.

 

Employer Relations Specialist

POSITION:       Employer Relations Specialist

REPORTS TO:   Director, Employment Services

The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, headquartered in downtown San Francisco, is looking for a full-time Employer Relations Specialist to fill a valued role in our growing organization.

Role Overview: This role is devoted to substantially increase the hiring of LightHouse’s blind and visually impaired jobseekers. This person will augment the historic rate of hiring by systematic relationship-building and employer outreach. The position’s success will be measured by the number and quality of employment outcomes obtained through vigorous outreach to key decision-makers in the California Competitive job market.

Qualifications:

  • A passion to represent the blind and visually impaired community in a positive and competent manner
  • A minimum of 5 years of experience in business development or social services
  • Strong knowledge of Human Resources and Recruitment processes
  • High customer service and relationship orientation and strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Proven ability to build lasting relationships with candidates and hiring managers
  • Energetic, self-motivated, self-starter
  • Experience working independently or with a team
  • Have exceptional planning and organization skills, ability to manage multiple assignments simultaneously
  • Ability to manage confidential information per LightHouse policies
  • Intermediate computer software skills
  • Bachelor’s degree preferred
  • Experience working in the disabled community a plus

Job Responsibilities:

Employer Relations:

Introduce LightHouse Employment Services Program to corporations by systematically contacting Human Resources departments, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion staff, Executive level and hiring managers and educate them on the benefit of hiring, promoting and retaining blind and visually impaired individuals.

  • Create a comprehensive list and pipeline of targeted employer key hiring contacts based on future job market hiring trends and job market influencers
  • Set up a contact management system to ensure that such key influencers are regularly touched in person, electronically and by LightHouse communications
  • Identify and regularly meet with high-level hiring managers and C-suite executives with the power to make agreements and form relationships
  • Liaise with Human Resource professionals to expand their awareness and knowledge of the blind and visually impaired community and track subsequent hires
  • Promote LightHouse Services as expert Consulting resource, emphasizing the development of Job Retention Plans for employers.
  • Present to high-level corporate Diversity and Inclusion trainings and guide discussions to practical increases in hiring of blind job candidates in numbers
  • Promote LightHouse consulting services to support the formation of in-house training and programs to increase corporate awareness and knowledge of how blind people can perform diverse jobs
  • Introduce LightHouse Job Retention services to employers to support the retention of existing employees experiencing performance issues due to changing vision
  • At the direction of supervisor, attend selected corporate or community service provider conferences representing LightHouse Employment Programs
  • Other duties relevant to department goals as assigned

Recruitment/Student Placement:

Substantially increase the number of LightHouse job seeker placements in the competitive job market.

  • Collaborate with Employment Specialist to identify selected students to market to targeted employers
  • Develop a database of key decision makers in targeted employers Human Resource staff and meet with them, developing a direct conduit for candidate referral/consideration
  • Identify existing and new job opportunities within targeted companies compatible with student job seekers goals to augment Employment Specialists’ efforts
  • Work with employers to source a broad range of job opportunities including full, part time and contract positions, internships and apprenticeships
  • Promote “job carving” and “on the Job Training” opportunities with Human Resources staff and Hiring Managers
  • Collaborate with Youth Employment Services department to identify short term work experience opportunities
  • Participate in occasional Virtual Training Program presentations at the direction of supervisor while not interfering with the principal employer-facing nature of this position
  • Implement new LightHouse Open House Job Fairs
  • Support employer-facing campaigns by collaborating with Communications Department
  • Identify key decision-makers in targeted employers Human Resource staff to serve as direct conduit for candidate referral/consideration
  • Other duties relevant to department goals as assigned

Who We Are:

LightHouse has an audacious mission – to transform the lives of the 40,000 blind people in the greater Bay Area and beyond. We do this through tech design, disability advocacy, consultation, classes and community formation in San Francisco, our four satellite offices and Enchanted Hills Camp in Napa. We are a fun, fascinating, widely diverse, warm and friendly community. We work in downtown San Francisco in a 40,000 square foot state-of-the-art workspace renowned for its universal design, steps from Civic Center BART. LightHouse is working for nothing less than to change the future for blind people and the wider community.

Within a five-minute walk are the world headquarters for Twitter, Uber, Dolby, Zendesk and many other tech giants. Within three blocks are all of the principal building for Northern California’s federal, state and local government. Also in our neighborhood are many theaters, San Francisco Symphony and Opera, the Asian Art Museum and dozens of other key cultural anchors of the entire Bay Area.

The successful candidate will join a unique organization in which blind and sighted professionals work together at every level. Our governing Board of Directors, management and staff are all composed of roughly equal numbers of blind and sighted people, a parity unprecedented in our field.

Founded in 1902, LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired provides skills, resources and community for the advancement of all individuals who are blind or have low vision. Our innovative programs have been featured in 60 Minutes, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal and beyond. The blind community comes to LightHouse to learn how to travel independently with a white cane, to rejoin the workforce, use accessible technology, and meet a community of mentors and peers. From unique tactile maps, to an unparalleled camp for blind campers, to a world prize for blind ambition, LightHouse offers programs unavailable elsewhere

Learn About Us:

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
1155 Market Street, 10th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103
www.lighthouse-sf.org

Employee Benefits:

The LightHouse offers a rich package of benefits, including medical, vision and dental insurance. Employees are eligible for an employer-matched 401(k) plan and subsidized health club membership, among many other perks.

Compensation:

Depending On Experience; industry competitive.

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and résumé in word processing document attachments (no PDFs please) and employment application (downloads in a Word document) to hr@lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. including the job title in the subject line. To fill out the application, please enable editing in the document.

Ed Wong Brings Career Advice and Bread to the LightHouse

Ed Wong Brings Career Advice and Bread to the LightHouse

LightHouse Employment Specialist Ed Wong explains that he “took the total San Francisco route” when it came to his education. Born in San Francisco, Ed went to City College of San Francisco and San Francisco State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Ed has a lot of experience working in job placement, but once worked a very different side of the field. During the late 1990s dot-com bubble, when investors poured money into a flurry of internet startups, Ed worked at a now-defunct website called HotJobs where people could search online for jobs. He worked with companies who wanted to place their job advertisements on the website.

Several years later, Ed became a job recruiter for the Human Resources Department of the City and County of San Francisco where he worked to fill positions at that agency. This is when Ed first heard about the LightHouse. One of Ed’s projects was to recruit people with disabilities to fill jobs. “LightHouse was the organization that gave me the most qualified candidates,” he beams.

Because of the work San Francisco’s Human Resources Department was doing with LightHouse, Ed began learning about the blindness community. Getting to know blind jobseekers with different work histories made him better at his job. “I learned to speak with different hiring managers about hiring people with disabilities,” he elaborates.

Ed recently joined the LightHouse team as an Employment Specialist and works with LightHouse students who are looking for jobs. Besides teaching the fundamentals of resume writing and job interviewing skills, Ed also serves as a career mentor. He understands that being unemployed is frustrating. “A lot of people identify their worth with employment and it’s detrimental when they aren’t employed,” he remarks. One thing Ed does is work with students on crafting their “elevator pitch”, that is, a 30-second summary of the work experience and skills they bring to a job. “When they get good at that pitch, they just exude confidence,” he declares. While Ed serves as a guide, each student must take an active role in their job search. “I’m here to help, but students also have to search for their own positions.”

Ed has been married nearly twenty years and has two teenage sons. “One of the challenges I have right now is helping them navigate high school,” he explains. Luckily, he and his sons have time to enjoy fun things like Star Wars, Lord of the Rings and savory Chinese pancakes at House of Pancakes on Taraval in San Francisco.

Another thing Ed enjoys doing is feeding his coworkers. “My mother-in-law’s good friend works at a bakery. The owner invited me to take the bread that isn’t going to be sold.” So once a week, Ed brings freshly baked bread for his fellow LightHouse staff to enjoy.

Ed describes how his work with students at LightHouse has impacted him: “Once you place a person in a job and see where it takes them, it’s an overwhelming feeling of joy and fulfillment.”

Want to learn more about LightHouse’s employment programs? Visit our Employment Immersion Programs page, or contact Wanda Pearson at 415-694-7359 or eiteam@lighthouse-sf.org.

Employment Immersion Students Make Their Mark at Federal Job Fair

Employment Immersion Students Make Their Mark at Federal Job Fair

On September 4, 26 blind and low vision jobseekers who are part of LightHouse’s Employment Immersion Program, assembled at LightHouse Headquarters and walked as a group to the Federal Building in San Francisco for a job fair.

The jobseekers, dressed in business attire and armed with resumes and cover letters, spoke with representatives from twenty Federal agencies including the Department of Veterans Affairs, Social Security Administration, Transportation Security Administration, Department of Labor and more.

LightHouse’s Employment Immersion Program provides individualized training in job seeking skills to adults who are blind or have low vision. This includes resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, disclosing disability and more. With the unemployment rate for blind people in the United States at 70%, the Employment Immersion Program is dedicated to lowering that rate by providing students with the essential tools they need to be competitive in the job market.

Edward Wong, LightHouse Employment Specialist, remarked that other attendees at the job fair took note of the large group of blind people who sought the same employment opportunities as their sighted peers. “People noticed how many blind people were there. We were the white cane brigade.”

Are you a blind or low vision jobseeker? Visit our Employment Immersion webpage, call 415-694-7359 or email eiteam@lighthouse-sf.org to learn more.

Coming soon – LightHouse East Bay expands services

Coming soon – LightHouse East Bay expands services

LightHouse East Bay, our office at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley, is growing, and along with it, our commitment to providing a continuum of programs and services. The LightHouse has welcomed students from the East Bay into our programs for many years, but recognizes that establishment of a consistent presence in the area will ensure we more effectively reach the large and diverse population of Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano counties.

Blind and visually impaired residents in the East Bay can look forward to a warm and welcoming location just steps above the Ashby BART station. Our attentive staff will be available five days a week to connect you with an abundance of services, including skills training and community events. LightHouse delivers individualized training in Orientation & Mobility, Access Technology, employment readiness, Braille, Independent Living skills, as well as hosting events to bring blind people together with one another and the wider Bay Area community.

This expansion coincides with the exciting news that we’ve been awarded a grant by the Senior Assistance Foundation Eastbay to provide training free of charge to residents of Alameda County over the age of 55. If you know of someone who qualifies, please contact LightHouse concierge Esmeralda Soto, at esoto@lighthouse-sf.org or 415-694-7323.

We’ll have more to share on our progress at LightHouse East Bay throughout the coming months. If you have questions about LightHouse programs, contact Esmeralda Soto at 415-694-7323 or info@lighthouse-sf.org.

Our makeup workshop put its best face forward

Our makeup workshop put its best face forward

At LightHouse, we’re excited to provide educational workshops on everything from cane use, to cooking to putting your best face forward with makeup. Applying makeup is a learned skill that requires practice and attention to detail, and can involve artistry or light, casual application.

The LightHouse Rehabilitation Department, in partnership with Employment Immersion, hosted a new class called “Putting Your Best Face Forward: Using Makeup to Enhance Your Professional Appearance.” LightHouse Independent Living Skills Specialists Bobbi Pompey and Dawn Leeflang, along with Kate Williams, Manager of Employment Immersion teamed up with beauty industry professionals from Benefit Cosmetics.

Kate Williams, who is blind, says she believes makeup can be a tool for self-care and empowerment.

“Frequently, blind women have said, ‘I’m afraid to wear makeup…I just don’t know how to do it,’” Kate remarks.

When Kate’s vision started changing, a manager at Benefit gave her brushes and taught her how to apply makeup non-visually. This experience helped her maintain the self-presentation that had always been part of her appearance and routine.

“I’ve always worn makeup,” she says.

Kate adds that she was excited to use this workshop to pass on makeup skills to blind people who may not have sought it out otherwise.

Bobbi says that this workshop did indeed give one student who was initially trepidatious about wearing makeup the push to incorporate it into her routine.

“We let blind people know that the barrier to wearing makeup is more of an imagined barrier, and that if you want to enhance your appearance for work, or fun or going on a date or whatever, you can do it and there are ways to do it.”

Kate says that she feels makeup is good for building confidence, and that she believes it is important for people to do what they can to make themselves feel attractive and presentable.

At the workshop, students received hands-on instruction on how to apply eye and face makeup and also label and organize their products and tools. Makeup artists also demonstrated application on students. Check out our photos from the event!

If this workshop interests you, check out our monthly calendar which if full of exciting, rotating programs and events.

Photos: Meet the YES Academy class of 2018

Photos: Meet the YES Academy class of 2018

On Saturday, July 21, students gathered to celebrate their graduation from the Youth Employment Series (YES) Academy, LightHouse’s employment readiness program. Students ages 16 to 24 attended the month-long immersive program, which aims to build confidence through learning first-hand knowledge, collaborating, identifying strengths and interests and gaining a sense of direction through interactive work-based experiences.

Students organized, prepared and served a three-course dinner for the occasion. The graduates looked sharp in semi-formal attire that they selected and styled in conjunction with a professional attire seminar and a group outing to Macy’s.

Jose serves pasta to a table of guests
Jose serves freshly cooked pasta with meatballs to a table of guests
Kayla, her mother and a friend enjoying dinner seated at the table
Kayla, her mother and a friend enjoy salad and appetizers

Meet YES Academy 2018

This year’s YES Academy students each had their own immersive job experience in the community, commuting to and from work while staying in the residential facilities at the LightHouse’s downtown San Francisco headquarters. We caught up with them at the YES family banquet this weekend. Their names are listed alongside the company that they worked at this summer, along with quotes from each student about their experience.

Portrait of Kyle
Portrait of Kyle

Kyle – Center for Independent Living

“I did some inventorying of random assistive technology tools that they had. I also helped administer a presentation at senior retirement housing, where we showed off some assistive technology tools that might be able to help them.”

Portrait of Jose
Portrait of Jose

Jose – LightHouse Sirkin Center

“You need to manage your time, [otherwise] stuff starts to pile up.”

Portrait of Andy
Portrait of Andy

Andy – LightHouse Sirkin Center

“I packaged toilet paper to send off to war-torn countries. That was a very good experience.”

Portrait of Erick
Portrait of Erick

Erick – LightHouse Sirkin Center

“I actually had to do different stuff including reworking, sorting items, and then I had to do some machinery work.”

Portrait of Santiago
Portrait of Santiago

Santiago – Call of the Sea

“I went through the entire website catalog, all of the pages, and I looked at what was accessible, what was not accessible, what was somewhat accessible and needed to be improved. I wrote a business report with the details as to what needed to be improved and what the best way would be to improve it.”

Portrait of Steven
Portrait of Steven

Steven – Call of the Sea

“Me and my partner Santiago just worked on business reports, analyzing the company’s website and seeing how we can make it more accessible and what next steps the company needs to do to make it possible for blind or visually impaired people to access their website easier.”

Portrait of Kayla
Portrait of Kayla

Kayla  Roxie Theater

“It’s motivated me to send my resume and apply for other jobs.”

Portrait of Richard
Portrait of Richard

Richard – Roxie Theater

“I worked at the cash register. I wasn’t good at it but I kept at it, and I got better, and now it’s not a weakness anymore.”

 Looking for more information or to get involved in LightHouse Youth programs? Email youth@lighthouse-sf.org

 

Get Paid to Help the Blind from Home: Aira Seeks Part-time Agents in San Francisco

Get Paid to Help the Blind from Home: Aira Seeks Part-time Agents in San Francisco

 

Aira logoLast week, LightHouse Staff spent the day with Aira, one of the leading startups to emerge in the remote sighted assistant space. Equipped with a wearable camera or mobile app, blind users can use Aira’s platform to receive on-demand sight assistance from trained professionals – privately and discreetly. The “agent,” who uses Aira’s dashboard software to keep notes on your preferences, track your surroundings through GPS and zoom in on far-away visuals. The result is a highly proficient “expert” who can efficiently identify, explain and Google anything your heart desires, opening up the blind user to a more accessible, frictionless environment.

Aira’s agents are the backbone of their operation, and it’s safe to say these paid professionals have some of the coolest jobs you could imagine. Aira has put out an announcement that they are hiring agents in the San Francisco Bay Area, to work from home or from the co-working spaces available at LightHouse.

If you’re interested, visit aira.io/careers.

At Aira, we are giving increased freedom and independence to individuals who are blind or visually impaired. But we need your help as the star of our service!

As an Aira Agent you simply log onto our dashboard from your computer at home and begin answering video calls from our customers who reside across the United States – you will help them to shop, read their mail or computer screen, cook meals or even describe individuals in social settings – the scenarios are varied and unique. You will join a small but growing team of Aira Agents who, along with training, will help you hone your skills and share your calls.

Through a live video stream, you are able to see what they would be seeing, and provide the information they need to make decisions or explore their world.

Hours are flexible. We offer a range of hours per day between the times of 4 a.m PST to 10pm PST.

In order to apply, submit here. To see more about Aira go to Aira Inspiration or the Aira Website.

We are looking for:

  • People that are Enthusiastic, eager, and well spoken.
  • People that love to search the web and find the best info.
  • People that can multitask while remaining focused and calm.
  • People that want to grow with a company- the opportunities are just beginning with Aira.

Information Technology Technician

POSITION:                 Information Technology Technician

REPORTS TO:     Director of Information Technology

STATUS:             Non-exempt

 

JOB PURPOSE:

The LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is looking for a service-oriented Information Technology (IT) Technician to join the LightHouse team, in the heart of downtown San Francisco. With over 90 employees and an annual budget of $12.5M, the LightHouse has the resources and imagination to help change the lives of the blind and low-vision population of the greater bay area and beyond. One of San Francisco’s oldest and best-known philanthropies, we’re operating from a new, state-of-the-art headquarters on Market Street. Here we coordinate students, volunteers, teachers, families, tech and a caring staff, to design, support and build new ways in which to help people with visual impairments.

Applicants should have a history of positive and supportive human interactions, including demonstrated sensitivity to people with disabilities. Ultimately this is a service position, so the ability to interact with a variety of internal customers in a positive way is vital. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education or equivalent: A degree in Information Technology, Computer Science or Computer Engineering preferred, although relevant work experience may also be considered. A Microsoft certification such as an MCSA or MSCE would be very helpful.

Experience: At least three years of experience providing desktop support, ideally in an organization of at least 30 people. Working administrative knowledge of Windows 7 and Windows 10 desktop operating systems, including settings and configuration — as well as some Apple iOS knowledge — is needed. Knowledge of workstation-class computers and laptops, including internal components and configuration.

Must have understanding of network communications using TCP/IP, DHCP, DNS, and WINS.

The preferred skillset includes hands-on experience with access technology, including (but not limited to) screen magnification and screen readers.

Knowledge of networked printing and the ability to configure a variety of printing types either independently or under supervision. Basic experience with VoIP phone systems desired – Shoretel experience preferred, but willing to train. Ability to provide user support for audio and visual systems used within the agency for videoconferencing and media presentations desired. Also a history of setting up equipment outdoors for events, is appreciated.

Other: Strong interpersonal skills dealing directly with users in potentially conflicting situations is critical, as well as the overall ability to interface with all levels of staff and guests. Produce documentation as required. A protective approach to confidential information is essential. Work experience within a nonprofit environment is helpful. Travel between HQ and our satellite offices will be required, including some overnight stays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • The ability to lift and transport up to 50 pounds regularly, with occasional lifting up to approximately 75 pounds, may be required.
  • Physical mobility and endurance to perform tasks while standing or walking for long periods of time (60 minutes or more).
  • Ability to safely and properly use power tools and equipment.
  • Solid physical endurance sufficient for occasional prolonged standing, bending, stooping, and stretching.
  • Manual dexterity sufficient enough to manipulate equipment.
  • Ability and willingness to work with exposure to sun, heat, rain or inclement weather and other environmental conditions.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Serve in a first-response role to evaluate and resolve desktop hardware and software issues in a Microsoft environment.
  • Provide phone support for an integrated VoIP system.
  • Support, install and troubleshoot access technology including screen readers (JAWS, Window-Eyes) magnifiers (ZoomText, Magic) and other tech used by the visually impaired.
  • Use an online helpdesk system to track activities and resolutions, in accordance with our standards, SLA and service terms.
  • Install and troubleshoot software, printers, and basic network functions.
  • Build and deploy workstations and laptops to requested specifications.
  • Set up and move workstations and equipment as directed.
  • Working directly with end-users on technical issues and tasks, either in person, by remote access, email, or phone as assigned.
  • Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

  • N/A

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is an equal opportunity employer to all.  We strive to maintain a scent-free environment and a drug-free workplace. We also operate under a mutual “employment at will” policy.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and résumé as Word attachments (no .PDFs please), to hr@lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. We will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online profiles. Due to time constraints we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest; thanks for your understanding.

Enchanted Hills Camp Counselor

POSITION:            Enchanted Hills Camp Counselor

REPORTS TO:             Director, Enchanted Hills Camp and Retreat

STATUS:                    Daily  

WC CLASS:            Camp

JOB PURPOSE:

As a residential camp for the blind, counselors are responsible for the overall provision of a traditional camp experience to all blind and visually impaired campers. This includes but is not limited to: inventing new blind-friendly programming, motivating campers to use non-visual techniques, adapting all activities so that all campers can participate fully regardless of their level of vision. Counselors should encourage active participation in camp meals, clean-up and other daily functions through fun activities. Counselors provide supervision to recreational activities, create educational experiences, promote independence and supervise the health and safety of children and adults. Applicants must also have the ability to work with campers that have secondary disabilities (developmental, hearing impairments and/or mobility restrictions). 

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older
  • High School graduate
  • Some college education preferred
  • Current First Aid and CPR certifications
  • Previous work in a camp, school, or community service setting
  • Experience working with individuals who are blind/visually impaired preferred
  • Knowledge of Braille and/or sign language preferred

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be willing to live on camp premises
  • Must be able to lift 70 pounds
  • Ability to enforce safety and emergency procedures
  • Ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity
  • Physical ability to respond appropriately to situation requiring first aid
  • Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness or injury)
  • Possess the endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in their living unit, within activities and throughout the camp in order to meet the intended camper outcomes
  • Apply basic youth and blindness development principles in working with campers through communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, involvement and empowerment of youth
  • Assure campers are properly supervised at all times
  • Be aware of and implement safety guidelines
  • Participate in the development and implementation of program activities for campers within the mission and outcomes.
  • Responsible for leading and assisting with the teaching of activities.
  • Actively participate in all program areas as assigned.
  • Provide for the progression of activities within the framework of individual and group interests and abilities.
  • Assist in program areas such as waterfront, nature, all camp activities, and arts and crafts as directed.
  • Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers and staff.
  • Provide the daily care of each camper within your supervision including recognition of personal health needs.
  • Ensure that campers receive their medications as directed by health care manager.
  • Be alert to campers and staff needs and assist them with personal and/or health problems, and discuss with camp health manager and/or resident camp director when appropriate.
  • Be alert to equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to; report repairs needed promptly to camp director.
  • Be a role model to campers and staff in your attitude and behavior.
  • Follow and uphold all safety and security rules and procedures.
  • Set a good example to campers and others in regard to general camp procedures and practices including sanitation, schedule, and sportsmanship
  • Contribute to verbal and written evaluations and communication as requested
  • Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning, and leading those as assigned
  • Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver and supervise evening programs, special events, overnights, and other all-camp activities and camp functions
  • Stay current on best practices by reading/viewing instructional media and active participation before and during camp
  • Attend and participate in weekly staff meetings
  • Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

N/A

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is an equal opportunity employer to all. We strive to maintain a scent-free environment and a drug-free workplace. We also operate under a mutual “employment at will” policy.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and résumé as Word attachments (no .PDFs please), to hr@lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. Please include a link to any relevant clips or portfolio pieces. Due to time constraints we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest; thanks for your understanding.