Job Description Clarksville-Montgomery County School SystemJob Title: SPED Educational Assistant - Sign Support Department: Instruction
Reports to: Special Populations Coordinator
Grade G - $19.12/hr.
H.P.D. - 7 - shift will span 7.5 hours to account for 30-min. lunch break
D.P.Y. - 196
H.P.D. - hours per day
D.P.Y. - days per year
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Transfer-Eligible Employees *DO NOT* apply here. Please submit your request to transfer through the ClassLink portal; if applicable, the closing date for guaranteed internal interviews will be listed in the portal.
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EA Applicants must meet one of the highly qualified standards for Paraprofessionals
. High School Education/Equivalency + (#1, #2, or #3)
minimum of 48 semester hours (earned credit) at an institution of higher education an associate's degree or higher, OR a passing score on the ETS ParaPro Assessment.
If you do not satisfy the requirements in #1 or #2 above, please upload your high school diploma or equivalent for education, then contact Jacklyn Winegarden for more information about ParaPro testing. Without the college credit, you will have to pass the assessment before you are eligible to interview.
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Purpose of JobThe role of the Sign Support EA is to provide sign language assistance to students who are deaf or hard of hearing when an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team determines that the student's communication system and language foundation are insufficient for an educational interpreter to be beneficial. In these instances, the Sign Support EA works in collaboration with a Certified Teacher of the Hearing Impaired.
Additionally, the Sign Support EA provides sign language support, in collaboration with a Speech/Language Pathologist, Deaf Educator, or Special Educator, to students with IEPs who can access environments through hearing but need manual signing to support their expressive and/or receptive communication as part of a total communication program. The Sign Support EA does not serve as the student's teacher or primary language instructor. Instead, they facilitate communication through signing and potentially other high or low assistive technology systems, such as Augmentative Communication devices (AAC) or Picture Exchange Communication Systems (PECS).
Essential Duties and Responsibilities The following duties are normal for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Communication Support: - Complete 20 hours of training on American Sign Language or equivalent per year
- Utilize alternative communication methods, such as simplified signing, gestures, visual aids, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices, to facilitate understanding
- Adapt communication techniques to meet the unique needs and learning style of the student
- Continuously assess and modify communication strategies to ensure effectiveness
Collaboration: - Work closely with the student's educational team, including teachers, special educators, speech-language pathologists, and other support staff, to develop and implement appropriate communication plans
- Participate in IEP meetings to provide input on the student's communication needs and progress
- Maintain open and effective communication with the student's family to support continuity of care and learning
Instructional Support: - Assist the classroom teacher in delivering instruction and facilitating classroom activities
- Adapt instructional materials and activities to ensure the student can access and engage with the curriculum
- Provide one-on-one or small group support as needed
Behavioral Support: - Implement behavior management strategies as outlined in the student's IEP or behavior intervention plan
- Monitor and report on the student's behavior and progress to the educational team
- Provide positive reinforcement and support to encourage appropriate behavior and engagement
Documentation and Reporting: - Maintain accurate records of the student's communication progress and any adaptations or strategies used
- Provide regular updates to the educational team on the student's performance and any areas of concern
- Ensure confidentiality and compliance with all relevant regulations and policies
Professional Development: - Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in communication support for students who are deaf and cognitively impaired
- Seek out resources and collaborate with colleagues to enhance skills and knowledge
Additional Job FunctionsPerforms other duties as required
Minimum Training and Experience Required to Perform Essential Job FunctionsMust meet the highly qualified standards for Paraprofessionals. High School Diploma (or equivalent) required, completion of two years of study (48 semester hours) at an institution of higher education; or obtained an associate's or higher degree; or passing score of 456 on the ParaPro Assessment. Additional coursework or training in special education, communication disorders, or a related field is preferred but not required. Experience working with students who are deaf/hard of hearing and/or neuro divergent, preferred.
(ADA) MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONSPHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Medium work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and / or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to constantly to move objects. Must be physically able to operate a variety of office machines and equipment such as computers, printers, typewriters, facsimile machine, binding machine, television and VCR, tape recorders, photocopiers, opaque projectors, laminators, transparency machine, paper cutter, etc. Must be physically able to work, move or carry objects or materials. Essential physical requirements of the job include:
Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, ramps, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
Standing: Remaining upright on the feet, particularly for sustained periods of time.
Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion.
Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of the upper extremities and back muscles.
Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.
Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction, and having the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and making fine discriminations in sound.
DATA CONCEPTION: Requires the ability to compare and or judge the readily observable functional, technical, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information, Includes giving assignments and/or directions to co-workers or assistants.
LANGUAGE ABILITY: Requires the ability to read a variety of informational documentation, directions, instructions, and methods and procedures related to job of Educational Assistant Sign Support. Requires the ability to write reports with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.
INTELLIGENCE: Requires the ability to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to the job of Educational Assistant Sign Support.
VERBAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to record and deliver information to supervisors and elected officials; to explain procedures and policies; and to follow verbal and written instructions, guidelines and objectives.
NUMERICAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages; determine time and weight, and utilize statistical inference.
FORM/SPATIAL APTITUDE: Requires the ability to visually inspect items for proper length, width, and shape visually with office equipment.
MOTOR COORDINATION: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in using automated office equipment.
MANUAL DEXTERITY: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have the ability to use one hand for twisting or turning motion while coordinating other hand with different activities. Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
COLOR DISCRIMINATION: May require the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color.
INTERPERSONAL TEMPERAMENT: Requires the ability to deal with people (i.e. staff, supervisors, and general public, and elected officials) beyond giving and receiving instructions such as in interpreting departmental policies and procedures. Must be adaptable to performing under moderate stress when confronted with an emergency related to job of Educational Assistant Sign Support.
PHYSICAL COMMUNICATION: Requires the ability to talk or communicate through signing; (talking-expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words or sign).
ATTENDANCE: A regular and dependable level of attendance is an essential function for this position.
KNOWLEDGE OF JOB Has working knowledge of the policies, procedures, and activities of the School System and/or outside setting such as a state school, classroom and sign language practices as they pertain to the performance of duties relating to the job of Educational Assistant Sign Support. Carrying out the main duty of translating the spoken word into sign language requires listening, sign language and communication skills. An Educational Assistant may also have to do research if he or she is working in a situation involving information they are unfamiliar with in order to gain an understanding of what will be communicated. A good memory is also important since an effective communicator will need to remember what has been said in order to communicate it. Has working knowledge of classroom, sign language and communication practices as necessary in the completion of daily responsibilities. Knows how to keep abreast of any changes in policy, methods, computer operations, equipment needs, etc. as they pertain to departmental operations and activities. Is able to effectively communicate and interact with supervisors, members of the general public and all other groups involved in the activities of the department. Is able to assemble information and create written reports and documents in a concise, clear, and effective manner. Has good organizational, human relations, and technical skills. Is able to use independent judgment and work with little direct supervision when necessary. Has the ability to comprehend, interpret and apply regulations, procedures, and related information. Has comprehensive knowledge of the terminology, principles, and methods utilized within the department. Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations. Is knowledgeable and proficient with computers. Has working knowledge of classroom, sign language and communication practices as necessary in completion of daily responsibilities.
The Clarksville-Montgomery County School System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the School System may provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
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