Job Description
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Length of position: CONTRACT
Hours: Part time, 20 hours
COMPENSATION
5 days a week, 20 hours: $164.605/day
OR
2.5 days a week, 20 hours: $329.210/day
JOB DESCRIPTION
SUMMARY:
To assist students with visual impairments to achieve maximum independence through instruction in safe, efficient travel within the home, school and community. Services also include instruction in compensatory skills including daily living skills, self-advocacy, and recreation or leisure skills as related to orientation and mobility. Students may range in ages from birth through 21. Students may be functionally blind or have low vision. Community-based instruction is a critical component of the orientation and mobility program. This position may be contingent upon funding in whole or in part through state or federal grants.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :
Perform orientation and mobility evaluations that focus on long-and short-term needs of the student on new referrals and on three- year re-evaluations.
Include in the assessment report the needs and strengths of the student and an estimate of the length and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs.
Contribute to other appropriate portions of the IEP, such as goals and recommendations.
Participate in ARD committee meetings on a regular basis.
Provide consultation and support services to parents, general and special education teachers and other school personnel, and students' sighted peers.
Confer regularly with parents, classroom teachers, physical education teachers, physical therapists, and other school personnel to assist in home and classroom modifications to ensure reinforcement of appropriate O&M skills that will encourage the visually impaired student to travel independently in these settings.
Work with the teacher of visually impaired students to conduct the functional vision assessment as it relates to independent travel.
Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the students' assessed needs, IEP/IFSP goals and objectives, functioning level, and motivation level and show written evidence of preparation as required.
Prepare and use equipment and materials such as tactile maps, models, distance low vision devices, adaptive mobility devices, and long canes for the development of O&M skills.
Provide orientation of new school buildings and new class schedules to students with visual impairments as needed.
Provide assistance to the students with visual impairments in understanding their attitudes and those of others concerning their visual impairments.
Emphasize social integration with peers and provide opportunities for interaction.
Evaluate the students' progress on an ongoing basis and keep progress notes on each student.
Instruct students with visual impairments in skills and knowledge that enable them to travel independently based on the IEP.
Teach visually impaired students to travel with proficiency, safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments.
Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the students' assessed needs, IEP/IFSP goals and objectives, functioning level, and motivation level.
Be responsible for the student's safety during O&M instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during O&M lessons.
Consult with classroom teachers regarding management of student behavior according to IEP.
Consult with district and outside resource people regarding education, social, medical and personal needs of students.
Establish and maintain open communication by conducting conferences with parents, students, principals and teachers.
Submit requests for instructional materials, conferences and reference materials.
Be knowledgeable of community-based resources that may be available to the VI student.
Provide in-service training to general and special education personnel, administrative personnel, sighted peers, and parents concerning the O&M needs of the student and appropriate methods for interacting with the VI student so as to foster maximum independence and safety.
Participate in staff development activities to improve job-related skills.
Communicate with specialists in low vision, ophthalmologists and optometrists concerning exams, and attend exams when appropriate.
Provide information about the vision and O&M programs to the schools and community.
Compile, maintain and file all physical and computerized reports, records, and other documents required.
Demonstrate regular and prompt attendance to ensure a consistent focus on student learning.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
None
This document in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying the position.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in special education or related field
AER/Academy certification.
Experience in teaching students with special needs.
Sign Language: The ultimate required proficiency level for the position using the levels designated in the Signed Language Proficiency Interview (SLPI) is ADVANCED. If hired with a sign language proficiency level below this level, you are required to participate in signed communication learning opportunities on a regular basis until you have achieved the sign language proficiency level assigned to your position. Must have at least minimum level of INTERMEDIATE.
Desirable Qualifications Master's Degree in special education or related field
Has worked with students who have additional disabilities (AU, ID, ED, etc.).
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Attributes Knowledge of Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting process and implementation; curriculum and instruction; special needs of students in assigned area; and experience with school age children.
Problem solving-the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
Effective Communication-the individual must be able to appropriately communicate with colleagues, students, parents, families, administrators, supervisors, and the public.
Planning/organizing-the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action plans.
Quality control-the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
Dependability-the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
Safety and security-the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
Interpersonal Skills-the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others' ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.
Ability to participate in and apply training to a variety of situations.
Ability to travel between sites.
SUPERVISOR:
Related Services Supervisor
MILITARY OCCUPATION SPECIALTY CODE: None
It is the Texas School for the Deaf's (TSD) policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. TSD expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Retaliation against individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination proceeding is also prohibited. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, training, wages, and benefits. In addition to federal law requirements, TSD complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. Texas School for the Deaf
Job Tags
Contract work, Temporary work, Part time, Local area,