Instructional Assistant Sign Lang - Oak Meadow Elementary

Location: Oak Meadow ES

Work Schedule: 177 Days

Work Type: Regular Full-Time

Exempt: No

Pay Grade: I3

REASONS TO JOIN NEISD

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING CALCULATION OF PAY: The annual pay for this position is pro-rated based on the effective date of the assignment

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING OPTIONS FOR PAY (for employees who work 215 days or less ONLY)

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EDUCATION:

High School Diploma or Equivalent with three years experience in a related field; or forty-eight (48) college hours at an accredited college or university with the ability to pass the sign language assessment; or Associate's Degree as a Deaf Support Specialist from an accredited college or university

CERTIFICATION:

Paraprofessional Certification as required by the State Board and the District

High School Diplomas and college/university degrees must be obtained from an accredited program or university approved by the United States Department of Education and the Texas Education Agency.

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PRIMARY PURPOSE SUMMARY:

Works under the direction of the teacher for students who qualify for special education through eligibility as having an auditory impairment (AI). Facilitates communication using sign language and other strategies as determined by the admission, review and dismissal committee (ARD) to support instruction and implementation of the student's individualized education program (IEP).

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Works directly with student in reinforcing skills previously introduced by the teacher and consistently uses students' designated modes of communication to include but not limited to sign language and classroom FM equipment.

2. Works directly with the students to facilitate communication between the student who has an auditory impairment and students who hear.

3. Monitors students who are working with individualized program materials.

4. Manages individual or small groups of students as learning activities are conducted in accordance with teacher directions using communication strategies to meet the students' needs.

5. Maintains current sign language vocabulary and proficiency necessary to assist with classroom activities for the age/grade/content of the student(s) being supported.

6. Under the direction of the teacher, assembles materials, programs and equipment for use during instruction.

7. Assimilates training from the Audiologist in order to complete daily listening check and troubleshooting of FM equipment and notify the teacher of any needs or repairs that are needed.

8. Assists teacher with classroom environmental preparations, duplication of materials, clerical tasks and reviewing student work or recording data as assigned by the teacher.

9. Observes student learning responses, general health, social needs and behavior and shares relevant information with the teacher.

10. Supports students during arrival and departure.

11. Monitors students in the cafeteria, restrooms, hallways, playground, during field trips, school assemblies, special events, snack time, naptime, or other settings before, during and after school.

12. Assists in feeding, toileting and attending to the personal hygiene needs of students.

13. In collaboration with the teacher, prepares a schedule for assisting students.

14. Shares training experiences, techniques and knowledge with colleagues.

15. Attends teacher assistant in-service meetings as required by campus or district staff.

16. Attends meetings for the staff of the program for students who have auditory impairments as required by campus or district staff.

17. May be offered the opportunity or assigned the opportunity to provide services scheduled beyond work/school days and hours in order to fulfill interpreting needs for students or staff during extracurricular or campus events. (Compensation for overtime will be made as per district policy and procedures)

18. Complies with the confidentiality regulations in the Family Education Rights Protection Act (FERPA).

19. Complies with channels of communication and regulations within the assigned campus as established by the principal.

20. Becomes and maintains familiarity with District and campus employee policies and procedures.

21. Uses established procedures to notify the principal and teachers of an absence.

22. May occasionally be required to drive personal vehicle in the performance of assigned tasks.

23. Maintains confidentiality of information.

24. Reports to work on time every day.

25. Performs all other tasks and duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to lift 100 pounds with assistance
• Ability to work well with children
• Ability to sign efficiently, accurately and effectively as demonstrated on the signing assessment administered in the screening process and must maintain current certification
• Ability to demonstrate expressive and receptive sign language skills appropriate for the age and grade level of the students they will work with
• Ability to utilize assistive technology equipment for students who are deaf or hard-of-hearing to include hearing aides, cochlear implants processors, and FM auditory equipment
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization
• Valid Texas Drivers License with driving record that meets the requirements of the District

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Occasionally required to drive personal vehicle in the performance of assigned tasks. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The environmental characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; and vibration. The employee is frequently required to work in a confined space. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

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While all applications will be reviewed, not all applicants will be interviewed.

North East Independent School District does not to discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, marital or veteran status, disability (or relationship or association with an individual with a disability), genetic information or other legally protected status in its programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.