SpEd Paraprofessional Communication Access Facilitator

Academy School District 20•Colorado Springs, CO

4d•$23 - $24•Onsite

About The Position

This position performs transcriptionist duties to provide students with an educationally significant hearing loss equal opportunities to access the regular curriculum. The role involves tutoring and functioning as a sign and/or oral communication facilitator for students who are non-verbal and/or Deaf/Hard of Hearing, both in and out of the classroom. The facilitator is involved in oral and auditory interaction, requiring interpersonal communication and the use of technology and/or communication devices. Day-to-day activities are performed under the supervision of a teacher, and the role does not involve making diagnostic or long-term evaluative decisions regarding students. This position addresses current student needs at a specific school, but the individual may be required to change locations if student needs change. The district reserves the right to modify or change the duties of this job at any time.

Requirements

Ability to access and follow school policies and procedures and defer discipline to the appropriate authority.
Ability to adapt to changing technologies and to learn functionality of new equipment and systems.
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
Ability to create, access, input, retrieve, and manipulate information in various software systems, including databases and spreadsheets.
Ability to determine salient points of a lecture and discussion.
Ability to establish and maintain accurate record keeping, document management, and filing systems.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from many diverse backgrounds and professions including supervisors, administrators, coworkers, staff, students, parents, and the general public.
Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to greet and interact with the public in a courteous and professional manner.
Ability to maintain an impartial attitude during assistance to students.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to manage simultaneous demands and set clear priorities.
Ability to operate standard office equipment, performing a wide range of supportive tasks.
Ability to receptively understand students’ signs and expressively communicate in the students’ preferred communication method.
Ability to travel and provide own transportation between buildings.
Ability to troubleshoot basic technical related issues.
Ability to work days, hours, locations, and assignments as directed by the supervisor within the position responsibilities.
Ability to work independently without direct supervision.
Ability to work individually with students to assist them in completing assignments and independent work using classroom teacher’s strategies.
Commitment to the education of students as a primary responsibility.
Computer proficiency including office productivity applications.
Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a team setting.
Demonstrated oral and written fluency in English.
Demonstrates citizenship, compassion, courage, discernment, excellence, honesty, hope, integrity, patience, perseverance, reliability, respect, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
Demonstrates understanding of tutoring methods for working individually and as part of a team in tutoring children with hearing loss in a classroom setting.
Detail-oriented.
Energetic, creative, innovative, flexible.
Excellent cooperative, collaborative, and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of or willingness to learn about issues facing students with hearing loss.
Strong organizational, interpersonal, written, listening, and verbal communication skills.
Willingness to be trained to carry out delegated nursing practices.
Willingness to participate in ongoing professional learning courses.
Working knowledge of sign language using American Sign Language (ASL), Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE), and/or Pidgin Signed English (PSE).
Experience as a Paraprofessional in a School Setting.
First Aid/CPR - American Heart Asc. / Red Cross / Etc.
High school graduate -high school diploma or equivalent.
Non-Crisis Intervention - Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI).

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree or two or more years (48 semester hours or more of college with no degree).
Equivalent combination of related education and experience may be considered.
Keyboarding/Transcription Experience.
Signing Experience.

Responsibilities

Performs transcriptionist duties that provide students who have an educationally significant hearing loss with equal opportunities to access the regular curriculum.
Performs tutoring and functions as sign and/or oral communication facilitator for students who are non-verbal and/or Deaf/Hard of Hearing in and out of the classroom.
Performs duties that provide students who have an educationally significant hearing loss with equal opportunities to access the regular curriculum.
Tutors and facilitates communication for students who are nonverbal and/or deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH), in and out of the classroom.
Involved in oral and auditory interaction, requiring interpersonal communication and use of technology and/or communication devices.
Performs day-to-day activities under the supervision of a teacher.
Reports consistently for work as scheduled.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Attains proficient or higher evaluations on established Performance Standards.
Adapts sign language level and/or mode to meet the communication needs of students.
Assists staff and peers in understanding students’ total communication needs.
Assists team in assuring student is meeting current IEP goals.
Assists team members with other tasks/projects as directed.
Assists the student and other professionals in understanding the role of a transcriptionist.
Attends conferences and/or workshops specific to attain interpreter Continuing Education Units.
Attends pre-job and on-going professional learning opportunities, and meetings as required during the school year in order to remain up-to-date on job duties.
Confidentialy communicates student’s social, emotional, and academic progress and needs with appropriate staff.
Facilitates all communication between deaf, heard of hearing, and nonverbal students, staff, peers, and others.
Informs appropriate service provider or supervisor of progress, changes, problems, and equipment needs.
Interprets message faithfully using American Sign Language (ASL), Conceptually Accurate Signed English (CASE), and/or Pidgin Signed English (PSE) guidelines in all student-related situations.
Maintains regular communication with teachers to identify concepts, specific vocabulary, and necessary materials for tutoring.
Participates in the IEP team meeting for students receiving services, as requested.
Performs real-time transcription of academic lectures and discussions for students who are deaf or hard of hearing accurately so that the intent and spirit of the message is conveyed.
Plans, prepares, and teaches sign language lessons to hearing peers of the deaf students to foster student independence and peer relationships.
Prepares instructional visual or tactile aids and prepares for future lessons under guidance of licensed teacher.
Records quarterly documentation of student expressive signing vocabulary.
Supports verbal communications with the use of sign language.
Troubleshoots education devices and amplification equipment as a sign or oral communication facilitator to ensure proper functioning.
Troubleshoots transcription equipment to ensure proper functioning.
Tutors students as needs arise under licensed instructor supervision.
Tutors students to support curriculum under licensed instructor supervision.