2026-27 - 1.0 Speech Language Pathologist - Special Education

Employment Begins: 2026-27

• 2026-27 compensation will be prorated based on start date.*

SPEECH LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST

STANDARD POSITION DESCRIPTION

Classification: Certificated Location: Assigned School(s)

Reports to: Administrator Responsible for Special Services FLSA Status: Exempt

Bargaining Unit: NTEA

This is a standard position description to be used for certificated teaching positions with similar duties, responsibilities, classification and compensation. Teachers assigned to the position description may or may not be assigned all of the duties identified herein.

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Part I: Position Summary:

Speech language pathologist work in a variety of elementary and secondary school settings by focusing on helping students with a wide range of speech-language-related problems to meet performance standards. The work includes the use of evidence-based assessment and intervention practices in the prevention, assessment, intervention, and program design efforts that are integrated within a school.

Primary responsibility shall include student safety and appropriate collaboration and attention to each student's readiness to learn including needed guidance, discipline, and welfare. Employee may work in a variety of elementary and/or secondary educational, individual or team settings. Employee may rotate among several schools.

The District represents a diverse community with a population of more than 50% of students with diverse backgrounds. We seek an individual who has successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities. The selected candidate must demonstrate a commitment to strengthening community engagement and communication with the District's diverse populations.

Part II: Supervision and Controls over the Work:

The employee works with a high level of independence and professional discretion under the general supervision of a designated school administrator. The employee's work is governed, controlled, and evaluated by acceptable professional practice, school and district policies and regulations, provisions of Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington, direction of the supervisor, and performance standards and expectations as set forth in the collective bargaining agreement.

Part III: Major Duties and Responsibilities listed may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides speech and language testing and evaluations of students referred to the speech-language pathologist
• Develops and maintains a schedule of services to assure the needs of all assigned students are met.
• Maintains individual student service records as required by the federal government, state, district, and sound professional practice.
• Provides habilitative or rehabilitative services for those students identified as having speech, language, or hearing problems.
• Provides consultative services to appropriate personnel (i.e. teachers, administrators, parents, etc)
• fMaintains ongoing records for each individual case (speech, language, hearing).
• Initiates and updates short-term and long-term goals for each case annually on an individual education program form, with signed parent approval.
• Provides assistance for training of other personnel (i.e. practicum students, student teachers, helpers, etc.).
• Provides input in regard to developing and conducting research in speech and hearing and pupil services department.
• Works in a flexible and cooperative manner.
• Treats co-workers, supervisors, students, parents and others with dignity and respect at all times
• Serves as a positive role model for students, and practices the behaviors that are expected of our students.
• Works closely with reading specialists, literacy coaches, special education teachers, occupational therapists, physical therapists, school psychologists, audiologists, guidance counselors, and social workers, in addition to others.
• Works with school and district administrators in designing and implementing programs.
• Work includes data-based decision making, including gathering and interpreting data with individual students, as well as overall program evaluation.
• In performing the above duties, works collaboratively in a professional learning community with other teachers, support staff, and others as appropriate, in addressing the needs of students, developing effective practices, and developing and implementing best practices.
• Actively participates in faculty and grade level or department meetings, assist building efforts to plan, budget, implement, and evaluate the school's program and to do related work as required. In carrying out these responsibilities, follows school policy and procedures, standard practices, and approved curriculum, and will actively and positively support the school vision.
• Is constantly observant of the needs and challenges of students and promptly engages an administrator or appropriate educational staff associates when the there is reason to suspect or reasonably believe that a student is at risk or in danger due to such issues as bullying, sexual harassment/misconduct, depression or suicide ideation, or academic failure. The teacher serves as a positive role model for students and practices the behaviors that are expected of students.
• Assists in the supervision of students at school activities and events. Remains vigilant of students throughout the school day and the school location, taking the initiative to engage students when students are acting inappropriately or in inappropriate locations for the time of day.
• Establishes a professional growth plan and annually review the plan and progress with the administrator.
• Required to follow Board policies and stay abreast of updates and changes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Part IV: Minimum Qualifications:

1. Incumbents must have successful experience in working with culturally diverse families and communities, or have otherwise demonstrated a commitment to strengthening engagement of a diverse community and skill in communicating with a diverse population.

2. Valid Washington State Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Speech Language Pathologist certificate.

3. Master's degree in speech pathology from an accredited college or university.

4. Ability to understand procedures and function in a school system with regard to the special part health services play in the overall education of the student.

5. Ability to work cooperatively with students and their parents, district staff, and community members who are culturally, racially, and linguistically diverse.

6. Ability to effectively communicate with parents, students, and staff verbally and in writing.

7. Commitment to collaboration and teaming and effectiveness in working within a professional learning community.

8. Evidence of continuous professional learning and a commitment to participate in professional growth opportunities and self reflection on professional practice.

Part V: Desired Qualifications:

• Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) preferred.
• Experience working with, or knowledge, of Limited English Proficient students.
• Bilingual skills.
• Successful experience teaching in a diverse student environment.
• Successful experience in a team teaching environment.

Part VI: Physical and Environmental Requirements of the Position:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must lift and/or move 25 to 50 pounds, and may assist, move, or restrain students with greater weight when required to intervene in student safety issues.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, lift, carry, move about, hear and speak. Employee may be required to perform extensive work at a computer display terminal.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, or consistent with the subject being taught, but can be abnormally loud on occasion.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally work in outside weather conditions and be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, temperature fluctuations, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals commonly used in instruction and/or cleaning. It may be expected that the individual could be exposed to blood or other potentially infectious materials during the course of their duties. The employee may be exposed to infectious disease as carried by students.

The employee may be required to travel on school owned or leased vehicles while supervising and assisting students.

Insurance Benefits

Employees who are anticipated to work 630 hours during the school year (September 1 through August 31) are eligible for medical, dental, vision, long term disability and basic life insurance benefits.

North Thurston Public Schools benefits are administered by the Washington State Healthcare Authority under the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB). Click on the link https://www.hca.wa.gov/employee-retiree-benefits/school-employees for information on available benefit options.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation

Eligible employees are required to be a member of the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Plan. . For eligibility information, check on the link to the Department of Retirement Systems'' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in tax deferred 403(b) and 457 Deferred Compensation Plans (DCP). These are supplemental retirement savings programs that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Clink on the link https://www.drs.wa.gov/plan/dcp/ for information on 457 plan (DCP) with the Department of Retirement Systems.

To enroll in an eligible 403(b) plan, employees must consult with their own financial planner that is an approved vendor.

THIS IS A UNION POSITION

Equal Opportunity Employer

North Thurston School District does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, veteran or military status, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Officer: executivedirectorHR@nthurston.k12.wa.us, 360-412-4453; Section 504 Coordinator at 360-412-4465, 504@nthurston.k12.wa.us Address for both: 305 College St. NE. Lacey, WA 98516.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Effective June 11, 1992, pursuant to Public Law 92544 all new employees must complete a satisfactory fingerprint and sexual misconduct background check. All employment is considered temporary until receipt of satisfactory check. Proof that the fingerprinting process has begun must be supplied to Human Resources prior to the first day of employment.