SpEd Paraprofessional Communication Access Facilitator

Location:

EAC (Education and Administration Center)

Recruiting Start Date:

04/17/2024

Estimated Start Date:

08/12/2024

SpEd Paraprofessional Communication Access Facilitator performs transcriptionist duties that provide students who have an educationally significant hearing loss with equal opportunities to access the regular curriculum; performs tutoring and functions as sign and/or oral communication facilitator for students who are non-verbal and/or Deaf/Hard of Hearing in and out of the classroom; performs duties that provide students who have an educationally significant hearing loss with equal opportunities to access the regular curriculum; tutors and facilitates communication for students who are nonverbal and/or deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH), in and out of the classroom; involved in oral and auditory interaction, requiring interpersonal communication and use of technology and/or communication devices; performs day-to-day activities under the supervision of a teacher; does not make diagnostic or long-term evaluative decisions regarding students.

Note: This position addresses current student needs at the specified school. If the current program/school should experience a change in student needs, the individual filling this position may be required to change locations to another school where needs are demonstrated. This could occur at any time during the school year.

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and other key duties that may be required. The description may not include all functions performed by the incumbents in various locations. The district reserves the right to modify or change the duties or the essential functions of this job at any time.

• Reports consistently for work as scheduled

• Performs other duties as assigned

• Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards

• Adapts sign language level and/or mode to meet the communication needs of students

• Assists staff and peers in understanding students’ total communication needs

• Assists team in assuring student is meeting current IEP goals

• Assists team members with other tasks/projects as directed

• Assists the student and other professionals in understanding the role of a transcriptionist

• Attends conferences and/or workshops specific to attain interpreter Continuing Education Units

• Attends pre-job and on-going professional learning opportunities, and meetings as required during the school year in order to remain up-to-date on job duties

• Confidentially communicates student’s social, emotional, and academic progress and needs with appropriate staff

• Facilitates all communication between deaf, heard of hearing, and nonverbal students, staff, peers, and others

• Informs appropriate service provider or supervisor of progress, changes, problems, and equipment needs

• Interprets message faithfully using American Sign Language (ASL), Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE), and/or Pidgin Signed English (PSE) guidelines in all student-related situations

• Maintains regular communication with teachers to identify concepts, specific vocabulary, and necessary materials for tutoring

• Participates in the IEP team meeting for students receiving services, as requested

• Performs real-time transcription of academic lectures and discussions for students who are deaf or hard of hearing accurately so that the intent and spirit of the message is conveyed

• Plans, prepares, and teaches sign language lessons to hearing peers of the deaf students to foster student independence and peer relationships

• Prepares instructional visual or tactile aids and prepares for future lessons under guidance of licensed teacher

• Records quarterly documentation of student expressive signing vocabulary

• Supports verbal communications with the use of sign language

• Troubleshoots education devices and amplification equipment as a sign or oral communication facilitator to ensure proper functioning

• Troubleshoots transcription equipment to ensure proper functioning

• Tutors students as needs arise under licensed instructor supervision

• Tutors students to support curriculum under licensed instructor supervision

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to access and follow school policies and procedures and defer discipline to the appropriate authority

• Ability to adapt to changing technologies and to learn functionality of new equipment and systems

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing

• Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems, including databases and spreadsheets

• Ability to determine salient points of a lecture and discussion

• Ability to establish and maintain accurate record keeping, document management, and filing systems

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds and professions including supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the general public

• Ability to follow oral and written instructions

• Ability to greet and interact with the public in a courteous and professional manner

• Ability to maintain an impartial attitude during assistance to students

• Ability to maintain confidentiality

• Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities

• Ability to operate standard office equipment, performing a wide range of supportive tasks

• Ability to receptively understand students’ signs and expressively communicate in the students’ preferred communication method

• Ability to travel and provide own transportation between buildings

• Ability to troubleshoot basic technical related issues

• Ability to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position responsibilities

• Ability to work independently without direct supervision

• Ability to work individually with students to assist them in completing assignments and independent work using classroom teacher’s strategies

• Commitment to the education of students as a primary responsibility

• Computer proficiency including office productivity applications

• Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a team setting

• Demonstrated oral and written fluency in English

• Demonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness

• Demonstrates understanding of tutoring methods for working individually and as part of a team in tutoring children with hearing loss in a classroom setting

• Detail-oriented

• Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible

• Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills

• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about issues facing students with hearing loss

• Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills

• Willingness to be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices

• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional learning courses

• Working knowledge of sign language using American Sign Language (ASL), Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE), and/or Pidgin Signed English (PSE)

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a staff member typically encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive.

• The noise level in the work environment may alternate among quiet, moderate, and loud.

• The incumbent is frequently required to interact in person and through communication methods with the students, public, and/or other staff.

• The incumbent is required to work scheduled school/work hours and/or days.

• The incumbent may be required to work extended school/work hours and/or days as directed.

• Work is generally performed in the classroom setting.

Physical Demands: The following are some of the physical demands commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. All physical demands, if listed, are considered essential functions

• Sits, stands, walks, stoops, kneels, and crouches/squats while performing duties

• Has oral and auditory capacity enabling interaction interpersonally and/or through communication devices

• Uses eyes, hands, and finger coordination enabling the use of equipment and writing utensils

• Lifts/pushes/pulls or carries burdens weighing up to 50 lbs.; may have to lift students when assistance is required; able to safely lift 50 lbs. each in a two person lift

• Ability to physically escort a student to various locations

• Uses eyes, hands, and finger coordination for signing

• Conducts activities involving climbing, stooping, kneeling/bending, crouching/squatting, twisting, and reaching

Cognitive Functions: The following are some of the cognitive functions commonly associated with this position. They are included for informational purposes and are not all-inclusive. The staff member may be required to analyze, communicate, compare, compile, compute, coordinate, copy, evaluate, instruct, negotiate, synthesize, reason, and use interpersonal skills.

Experience as a Paraprofessional in a School Setting, First Aid/CPR - American Heart Asc. / Red Cross / Etc., High school graduate -high school diploma or equivalent, Non-Crisis Intervention - Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI)

Associate's degree or two or more years (48 semester hours or more of college with no degree), Equivalent combination of related education and experience may be considered, Keyboarding/Transcription Experience, Signing Experience

Compensation Range:

$21.40-21.94

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Hours per Day:

7.5 hours

Number of Days per Year:

176 days

Full-Time - Regular

For more information on our benefits, please visit Employee Benefits | Academy District 20 (asd20.org).

FLSA Status:

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

How to Apply:
New applicants (including current district staff members) must use the Workday application portal. Documents emailed directly to a supervisor will not be considered for application purposes and will not receive a response. A completed online application also includes the following uploaded documents in PDF format:

jaleesa.steward@asd20.org