Administrative Coordinator& DeafBlind Co-Navigator

Administrative Coordinator And Deafblind Co-Navigator

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 DeafBlind 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 an Administrative Coordinator and DeafBlind Co-Navigator. The Administrative Coordinator & DeafBlind Co-Navigator provides high-level executive and communication access support to the Associate Executive Director (AED). This role is a dedicated, position-specific support function that integrates executive coordination with specialized DeafBlind access services to ensure immediate, reliable, and effective communication access for leadership, decision-making, and organizational responsibilities. The incumbent operates within a Co-Navigator model, facilitating access to information, environments, and communication while supporting the AED's autonomy, informed decision-making, and full participation.

This is a full-time position based out of our training building in Sands Point, NY.

Salary: $75-$85k annually.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

1. Executive Communication Access (PRIMARY FUNCTION)

Provide real-time communication access for the Associate Executive Director across all leadership, operational, and external engagements.

Facilitate communication using preferred methods, including tactile ASL, ProTactile, close vision, or other modalities.

Ensure immediate access to support executive decision-making, leadership meetings, crisis response situations, and external stakeholder engagement.

Convey complex environmental and visual information through Protactile/Haptics, including meeting dynamics, speaker identification, group interactions, visual/environmental/spatial context, and written or digital materials such as emails, reports, and presentations

Ensure materials are in an accessible format such as braille, PDF or Word document.

Assist in synthesizing and organizing information to support executive-level preparation, participation, decision-making, and follow-up.

2. Administrative Coordination

Manage the AED's calendar, scheduling, and prioritization of meetings.

Coordinate national and high-level meetings, including advisory committees and stakeholder engagements.

Prepare and organize reports, presentations, briefing materials, and related documentation.

Support documentation for federal/state reporting and funding initiatives.

Assist with travel planning, logistics, and meeting preparation.

Support professional communications on behalf of the AED, including drafting, coordinating, and tracking timely follow-up with internal and external stakeholders.

3. Co-Navigation, Engagement & Travel Support

Support navigation and mobility as needed using appropriate human guiding techniques.

Provide co-navigation and communication facilitation support during external engagements, conferences, federal/state meetings, workshops, advisory forums, stakeholder meetings, and national travel.

Coordinate in advance with event organizers, local agencies, service providers, and accessibility teams to support accommodations, access arrangements, travel logistics, and participation needs.

Assist with external engagement logistics, including scheduling, travel coordination, materials preparation, and meeting access.

Support post-engagement follow-up by helping organize key takeaways, action items, and communication outputs.

Maintain flexibility to travel nationally with the AED.

Maintain neutrality, accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality at all times.

Performs other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor or other levels of Administration.

REQUIRED EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred in a related field (e.g., rehabilitation counseling, Deaf studies, human services, public administration, or related discipline)
• Minimum of 35 years of experience supporting individuals who are DeafBlind, preferably in professional, organizational, or administrative environments
• Demonstrated experience facilitating complex communication in dynamic, multi-stakeholder settings
• Proficiency in ASL and/or Protactile communication methods required.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and Teams required.
• Strong organizational, coordination, and communication skills
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. we offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid vacation
• Paid Personal Days
• Paid sick time
• 11 Paid Holidays Off Annually
• Life Insurance
• Short/Long Term Disability
• 403b Program w/Employer Match
• Flexible Spending/ Healthcare Savings Accounts
• Voluntary Ancillary Plans
• Employee Assistance Program

HKS is committed to providing reasonable workplace accommodations to individuals with illness, injury, or disability to complete the essential functions of their job.