Educational Diagnostician Chaparral Area (Current Gadsden ISD Employees Only)

Gadsden Independent School District•San Miguel, NM

20h•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for implementing the special education assessment process, assessing students' educational, learning styles, and program needs for those referred to special education services. The Educational Diagnostician will provide diagnostic information and collaborate with instructional personnel to ensure the most appropriate programs are developed for students with disabilities. The role involves adhering to federal and state timelines for assessments, producing comprehensive evaluation reports, and considering linguistic, ethnic, and cultural diversity. Consultation with staff, parents, and other professionals is a key aspect, as is managing IEP compliance and utilizing the district's evaluation report writer system. The position requires maintaining confidentiality, complying with all relevant policies and regulations, and participating in professional development.

Requirements

Master Degree in Educational Diagnosis, Special Education Guidance & Counseling, Educational Psychology, or other Approved fields such as Speech Pathology, Remedial Reading, etc.
Two (2) years of teaching or equivalent experience with exceptional children (as evaluated and approved by the State Department of Education).
Licensure in Special Education or Guidance & Counseling.
Current Educational Diagnostician license issued by the New Mexico State Department of Education.
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.
Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or styles.
Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Ability to apply advances mathematical concepts such as exponents, logarithms, quadratic equations, and permutations.
Ability to apply mathematical operations to such tasks as frequency distribution, determination of test reliability and validity, analysis of variance, correlation techniques, sampling theory, and factor analysis.
Ability to apply principles of logic or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems.
Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, musical notes, etc.,) in its most difficult phase.
Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables.
Regular district wide travel to multiple work locations as assigned.
Regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear.
Must regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
Maintains emotional control under stress.

Nice To Haves

Three professional reference letters, all dated within the last 12 months.
If a current district employee, one reference letter must be from your current supervisor.

Responsibilities

Implement the special education assessment process.
Assess the educational, learning styles, and program needs of students referred to special education services.
Provide diagnostic information and work cooperatively with instructional personnel to provide the most appropriate programs for students with disabilities.
Receive student referrals and implement the assessment and evaluation process within federal and state timelines.
Select and administer formal and informal assessments to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal and state regulations.
Adhere to assessment timelines as set forth by federal and state regulations.
Produce clear, understandable, and comprehensive written evaluation reports that include all components of a psycho-educational evaluation.
Consider linguistic, ethnic, and cultural diversity during the course of the evaluation and appropriately document such within the context of the evaluation report.
Collect and organize relevant assessment data from student's cumulative folder, classroom teachers(s), principal, support staff, parents, and outside resource people.
Conduct classroom observation and personal interviews.
Coordinate and participate in the Eligibility Determination Team (EDT) to assist with interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures.
Provide staff development training in assigned schools to assist school personnel in identification and understanding of students with disabilities.
Consult with other professionals when in doubt with assessment findings.
Assist classroom teachers with implementation of IEP.
Consult parents concerning the educational needs of students and interpretation of assessment data.
Consult parents, teachers, administrators, and other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students.
Accepts ultimate responsibility for IEP compliance at each assigned campus and, with the knowledge and approval of the Director of Special Education, takes whatever actions are necessary and appropriate to address and correct the compliance issues.
Become competent using the district's evaluation report writer system; Write and archive all evaluation reports using this system.
Develop and maintain effective individual and group relationships with students and parents.
Assist in the selection of assessment materials and equipment.
Develop and coordinate a continuing evaluation of the assessment program and make changes based on findings.
Protect confidentiality of all information obtained during student evaluations.
Comply with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rule, and local policy in the areas of assessment, placement, and planning for special education services.
Comply with all district and local campus routines and regulations.
Maintain an inventory of assessment and other related materials checked out to the educational diagnostician.
Participate in professional development opportunities addressing current research, professional development, and practice.
Attend monthly diagnostician meetings as well as special education department meetings and/or trainings.
Maintain a positive and effective relationship with supervisors.
Effectively communicate with colleagues, students, and parents.
Other duties as assigned.