Vocational Assistant
WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR BLIND CHILDREN•Pittsburgh, PA
•Onsite
About The Position
The Vocational Assistant supports the implementation of meaningful, individualized vocational instruction for students with visual impairments and multiple disabilities, including students with complex medical, physical, cognitive, and sensory needs. Working under the direction of the Vocational Instructor and educational team, the Vocational Assistant plays a key role in preparing students for adult life by reinforcing functional work skills, independence, self-advocacy, and community participation. Support is highly individualized and aligned with each student’s IEP transition goals, emphasizing hands-on learning in authentic settings.
Requirements
- Commitment to collaboration, equity, and continuous improvement
- The individual must hold and maintain proper clearances
- Valid driver’s license may be required for community-based instruction
- Ability to help lift and/or position students when necessary
- Must be comfortable with lifting up to 50 pounds from the floor
- Ability to lift and carry objects such as equipment, books, stacks of reports, etc, generally items weighing 20 pounds or less
- Frequent reaching, bending, twisting, crouching, stooping, kneeling, crawling, sitting, and walking including up and down stairs
- Pushing wheelchairs, moving/sliding student equipment
- Ability to work in a hot humid environment in therapy pool area and outdoors during student activities and morning and afternoon transportation as needed
- Communicate respectfully with multiple team members
- Ability to read and attend to computer screens
- Manual dexterity skills for typing and use of various equipment
- Ability to follow instructional plans and support differentiated learning
- Strong collaboration, communication, and organizational skills
- Knowledge of functional vocational skills and transition programming
Nice To Haves
- Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Education, Human Services, or related field preferred
- Experience working with students with visual impairments and/or multiple disabilities preferred
- Familiarity with assistive technology and adaptive tools preferred
Responsibilities
- Support the delivery of vocational instruction aligned with IEP transition goals and post-secondary outcomes under the direction of the Vocational Instructor
- Reinforce functional work skills including task completion, time on task, stamina, following routines, workplace behavior, and use of adaptive tools
- Assist students in school-based, community-based, and simulated work environments
- Support implementation of instructional activities using curricula such as “I Can Work,” “Focus,” and Unique Learning System (ULS)
- Assist in adapting materials and activities for students with visual impairments using tactile, auditory, and experiential strategies
- Provide direct, hands-on support to help students build, improve, and generalize work-readiness skills
- Support on-campus and off-campus work experiences in collaboration with the educational team
- Assist in collecting data on student performance and progress toward IEP goals
- Support implementation of informal vocational and functional assessments as directed
- Maintain accurate records related to student participation, performance, and skill development
- Follow all IDEA, state regulations, and school policies related to documentation and confidentiality
- Work closely with the Vocational Instructor, Transition Coordinator, Teachers, Related Service Providers, Instructional Aides, Nurses, and Supervisors
- Support communication between students and staff in school and community job settings
- Assist in reinforcing assistive technology use as identified by the team
- Support consistent implementation of strategies across settings
- Maintain professional, respectful interactions with students, families, and community partners
- Provide direct support to students with medical, physical, and behavioral needs in vocational and community settings
- Follow all safety, health, and supervision protocols
- Assist with mobility, personal care, and daily living needs as appropriate
- Promote dignity, independence, and high expectations for all students
- Comply with established policies and other duties
- Perform other responsibilities as assigned
- Perform maintenance and upkeep of educational areas and therapy areas (i.e. OT/PT gym, clinic room, storage rooms)
- Assist with student enrichment groups and adapted sports programming as assigned
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
