Cleveland Sight Center·Cleveland, Ohio
Provide developmental assessments and coaching to infants and toddlers with visual impairments and their families within home and community settings. Collaborate with specialists and community partners to implement individualized strategies and support the child's participation in daily routines.
Position Overview Under the supervision of the Manager of Early Intervention, the Early Intervention Specialist supports infants and toddlers (birth to age three) with suspected or diagnosed developmental delays, including visual impairments or low vision, and their families. This role uses a coaching and family-centered approach grounded in the principles of Ohio Early Intervention to promote the child’s participation in everyday routines and activities. Services are delivered in the home and community using a strengths-based, routines-focused approach in alignment with the Ohio Early Intervention model. This role supports families in understanding and building upon their child’s visual abilities while fostering independence, confidence, and meaningful engagement in everyday activities. This is a year-round position and does not follow a traditional school year schedule. Essential Functions
Provide developmental assessments and ongoing support using a routines- based, strengths-focused approach.
Partner with families through collaborative coaching to create and embed individualized strategies within daily routines, promoting the child’s growth, access, participation, and learning
Support families in understanding the impact of visual impairment on development, providing guidance and modeling strategies such as environmental adaptations, optimal positioning, play-based engagement, and pre-braille/visual skill development
Develop and implement center-based services (if appropriate)
Attend ophthalmology appointments with families when beneficial to service coordination.
Collaborate within the Primary Service Provider (PSP) model, consulting with specialists in vision, OT, PT, speech, and O&M as needed.
Build and maintain strong, trusting relationships with families and community partners.
Maintain accurate, timely, and compliant documentation according to agency and state requirements.
Determine eligibility and service needs; support referrals to county HMG/EI programs and community partners.
Participate in ISP and/or IFSP development and team meetings, utilizing the coaching model to ensure coordinated service delivery.
Participate in transition planning and Transition Planning Conferences (TPC); attend ETR/IEP meetings when possible
Coordinate with Cleveland Sight Center Clinic and families for eyeglass assistance or other vision-related supports.
Engage in ongoing professional development related to early childhood development, visual impairments, and the Ohio EI model.
Provide onboarding support to include coaching, initiating shadowing opportunities, and instruction and review of assessment methods as needed for new EI staff.
Support department and agency events as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Requires a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, or a related field. Candidates should hold licensure as a Teacher for the Visually Impaired (TVI) or Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS).
Market context
In Ohio, Early Intervention Vision Specialist roles are typically in demand where districts and early intervention programs need support for infants and young children with visual impairments. These positions are competitive because they require both early childhood or special education training and specialized credentials such as TVI or COMS. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save research time, then confirm your licensure status and prepare examples of family-centered intervention work.