PARAEDUCATOR - VISION (ONE OR MORE) @ SPECIAL EDUCATION, 7 HRS, CONT.

Job TitleAs a Spokane Public Schools staff member, you'll uphold our commitment to creating a loving and collaborative learning community where all students belong and thrive. We are looking for team members who embrace differences, have a desire to work with a diverse community of learners, have a heart for the humans they serve, work as a team, grow and reflect through feedback, are lifelong learners and positive problem solvers.ResponsibilitiesAssist visually impaired/blind children, classroom teacher, and classroom specialists with work assignments. Interpret instruction given by teacher to the student. Translate braille to print for benefit of classroom teacher, parents, and student helpers. Assist the teacher with adapted and modified materials. Assist in training blind students with mobility and orientation skills in classroom, playground, lunchroom, restrooms, bus, etc., ensuring student safety.Tutor visually impaired/blind student individually out of classroom and train blind students in braille, under the direction of the certificated staff. Train students in areas of social skills and personal hygiene if necessary.Prepare related materials in support of visually impaired/blind students. Collect materials from classroom teacher to give to specialists to have prepared for visually impaired/blind. Prepare tactual materials (board work, dittos, etc.) for visually impaired/blind students (frequently at a moment's notice). Prepare materials using a variety of technological hardware and software.Coordinate with vision specialists and district staff who will be instructing and interacting with visually impaired students. Attend team meetings and transfer information to other staff members as requested. Attend conferences with parents and teachers. Operate motor vehicle to travel to several schools daily, if necessary.Assist vision specialists and classroom teacher in teaching technology skills to visually impaired/blind students utilizing computer and training students in use of appropriate hardware and software. Assist in instructing students in use of various adaptive technological equipment.Continue to increase skills to a more advanced degree by attending relevant in-service training, workshops, etc. Participate in program staff meetings and training.Other related duties as assigned.QualificationsDemonstrated ability and aptitude to perform the responsibilities listed.Must provide high school diploma (or equivalent) AND 72 quarter credits or 48 semester credits from an accredited college, AA or BA degree, OR pass an academically rigorous assessment.Must complete Core Competencies within one year if hired into a Paraeducator position (refer to the Paraeducator Collective Bargaining Agreement).Demonstrated interest in working with students with disabilities.Demonstrated ability in working effectively with a diverse group of students, teachers, parents, and administrators in a confidential manner.Demonstrated proficiency in basic communication skills.Reliable means of transportation which does not interfere with set schedules.Certification in literary braille transcription or demonstrated competency in reading and writing braille as evaluated by Spokane Public Schools. Standardized braille testing preferred.Demonstrated successful previous experience working with persons with visual impairments and/or multiple impairments.Other qualifications which are preferred, but not required:Demonstrated competency in basic orientation and mobility skills (independent travel) as assessed by Spokane Public Schools orientation and mobility specialist.Demonstrated competency of Nemeth Code.College level studies in regular education and/or education of visually impaired or blind students.Relates positively to youth and adults of varying socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.Additional InformationWork Schedule – Days and hours are subject to change depending on program and district needs.Stipends, Leave Accruals and Holidays – Stipends, leaves and paid holidays are in accordance with the applicable collective bargaining agreement as negotiated.Benefits Highlights:The School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) Program administers health insurance and other benefits for employees of Washington School districts who are in benefit eligible positions (at least half-time/20 hours per week in a regular position). Multiple medical plans offered from various providers such as Kaiser Permanente WA, Premera Blue Cross, and the Uniform Medical Plan (for example) to fit your needs for varying cost and care options. Vision and Dental plan options, as well as standard Life and AD&D insurance are offered at no cost to the employee. The SEBB program also offers additional employee paid benefits like Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP), supplemental Life and AD&D, Long-Term Disability insurance, and Medical Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA).Benefit eligible Spokane Public Schools employees and their dependent family members have access to free, confidential counseling, consultation and referral services through the Employee Assistance Program.School District Employees participate in the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) public pension plan. Employees can choose from a lifetime retirement pension plan or a hybrid pension and investment plan that contributes between 5% and 15% of wages to retirement. When employees meet plan requirements and retire, they are guaranteed a monthly benefit for the rest of their life from the employer-funded pension. Employees can also participate in voluntary savings programs to increase retirement savings such as the DRS Deferred Compensation Program or by participating in a 403(b)-retirement plan through the district's plan manager, OMNI.A fingerprint background check is required for all prospective employeesSpokane Public Schools complies with all federal and state rules and regulations and does not discriminate in the admission, treatment, employment, or access to its programs or activities on the basis of age, sex, marital status, race, color, creed, national origin, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, to the use of a trained guide or service animal by a person with a disability, sexual orientation including gender expression or gender identity, or honorably discharged veteran or military status. This holds true for all students who are interested in participating in educational programs and/or extracurricular school activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.