Braille Transcriber

Chicago Public Schools•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Braille Transcriber works in the Office for Students with Disabilities and reports to the Manager of Special Education Services Delivery. The role transcribes and reproduces instructional materials in braille, large print, and audio formats, and performs additional duties as required. This is a full-time, exempt position paid on a salary basis. The position also provides direct classroom support regarding material accessibility under the direction of a teacher of the visually impaired, as needed. CPS employees must establish Chicago residency within six months of their hire date and maintain it throughout employment. The residency requirement does not apply to temporary or part-time positions, although all CPS employees must be Illinois residents.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Library of Congress Braille Transcriber Certification or actively working to obtain the certification.
At least three years of professional experience working with and translating braille materials.
Fluent in reading braille.
Knowledge of or familiarity with the principles and techniques of transcribing materials to and from braille.
Knowledge of or familiarity with equipment used to transcribe print to braille.
Knowledge of or familiarity with Bookshare, Learning Ally, the Library of Congress Talking Books Program, and the Illinois Instructional Materials Center (IIMC).
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups.
Strong time management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, maintain accuracy and attention to detail, and meet deadlines.
Proficiency with technology and computer programs such as Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
Ability to type at least 45 words per minute.
Establish Chicago residency within six months of hire and maintain residency throughout employment; all CPS employees must be Illinois residents.

Nice To Haves

Experience with 3D printing.

Responsibilities

Receive and review requests from educational staff for instructional materials to be transcribed to and from braille, print, and audio formats.
Operate a braille writer, braille embosser, scanner, and computer with braille translation software.
Enter instructional content into appropriate computer software for translation and braille embossing.
Convert scanned materials into the appropriate braille format using formatting skills.
Consult educational staff to clarify requests for transcribed materials.
Maintain detailed records of requests received and transcribed for teachers of the visually impaired.
Adapt maps, charts, graphs, images, and other graphics into tactile representations.
Download books and other print materials into audio formats using talking books software.
Provide direct classroom support regarding the accessibility of materials under the direction of a teacher of the visually impaired, as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.