This is a 7.5hr/9mo position with pay spread over 12 months. 

Criteria for Initial Step Placement on the Schedule

Initial placement shall be made by Human Resources on Step 1 unless employee has previous "like and kind" experience then, years of experience credit may be considered for placement.

Advancement: All professional and technical employees will move incrementally over one salary schedule step each year. Step advances are only made once a year effective September 1. To be eligible for such step advancement, an employee must have been in the position by January 31 of the previous school year.

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The purpose of this position is to assist teachers and other certificated staff with instructional and non-instructional activities for visually impaired students.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:

Implements instructional programs designed by certificated staff.

Instructs students, individually or in small groups, in a variety of subjects; compiles, reviews, and records student assignments and progress; performs consistent follow-through activities with visually impaired students.

Instructs students in self-care activities such as reinforcing daily living skills, appropriate social skills, and/or travel skills.

Uses adaptive technology aids/equipment to support academic activities in the classroom such as Braille reading and writing aids and computer-generated Braille materials.

Adapts a variety of classroom materials and implements programming to meet the needs of visually impaired students, such as enlarging materials, preparing tactile materials, and preparing audiotapes.

Monitors student progress and behavior; maintains communication with school and program staff.

Assists students in entering/leaving building, moving between classes, and boarding busses; determines appropriate level of assistance.

Assists certificated staff with testing students, recording scores, and maintaining related files.

OTHER JOB DUTIES:

Participates in staff meetings and other assigned meetings; participates in professional development activities, as needed or assigned.

Serves as member of the instructional team of the building and district; performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position as assigned.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Works under the direction of the building principal and/or other administrator. Interacts daily with students, school staff, and to varying degrees with parents. Interacts with district program staff. May interact with school bus drivers.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The daily instructional activities are performed in the classroom setting and may include the outdoor playground area at the elementary level. The instructional activities generally involve small groups of students. There is a high level of interaction with students. Frequent interruptions occur and visual and mental concentration on details and precision is required. The assistant works with at-risk students of various academic and social deficits, which may include anti-social behaviors. Students may also have mental and/or physical disabilities which necessitate assistance in the form of eating, personal grooming, wheelchair transfer, lifting, and/or toileting.  The employee may be exposed to infectious diseases.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Must demonstrate a successful level of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Knowledge of effective methods and techniques for working with visually impaired students.
• Knowledge of effective instructional methods for visually impaired students.
• Knowledge of common eye conditions and their functional implications in the educational setting.
• Knowledge of and competency with the Grade Two Standard Literary Braille Code and in Braille instruction.
• Ability to work independently, and to independently learn operations, procedures, processes, and use of equipment, especially computers.
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment, including handling of confidential matters.
• Ability to keep work organized and carry out duties effectively and efficiently, including the ability to appropriately set priorities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, with courtesy and respect.
• Ability to interact positively with others in a work environment, including the ability to adapt to new or different conditions.
• Ability to be dependable, including good habits in attendance and punctuality.

Education and Experience

Completion of high school or equivalent and one year of experience working with visually impaired, blind, and multi-disabled children, preferably in a classroom setting; or any equivalent combination of education, experience and training that would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the work.

Licensing and Certification

Documented completion of 10 clock hours of acceptable continuing education in Braille competency or successful completion of one of the tests for Braille competency accepted by Washington State.

Valid Washington State driver’s license.

EVALUATION:

Evaluation responsibilities are assigned to the principal, other school administrator, or designee.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements.  Individuals may perform other duties as assigned including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

EEO CATEGORY:                Non-Represented

FLSA STATUS:                     Non-Exempt

LAST REVISION DATE:     July 2020