Paraprofessional/Material Preparation Specialist for Blind/Visually Impaired Students - Burrillville

Burrillville School Department

Burrillville High School - Harrisville, Rhode Island This job is also posted in Rhode Island State DOE Consortium Job Board

Job Details

Job ID:

5910536

Application Deadline:

Posted until filled

Posted:

Yesterday

Starting Date:

Immediately

Job Description

The Burrillville School Department is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Paraprofessional & Materials Preparation Specialist for Blind/Visually Impaired Students at Burrillville High School. Please see below job description for responsibilities and qualifications.

TOWN OF BURRILLVILLE

Burrillville School Department

Position Description

Title:

Special Education Paraprofessional & Materials Preparation Specialist for Blind/Visually Impaired Students

Supervisor:

School Principal/PPS Director

Department:

School Department

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the direction of the Principal, designee, or a designated teacher, the Paraprofessional assists in conducting the daily classroom activities and care of students who may have disabilities ranging from mild/moderate to severe/profound that are in special education programs. The Special Education Paraprofessional ensures confidentiality in all matters related to staff and student personal information.

Additionally, this position requires the ability to enhance the effectiveness of learning opportunities for students with visual impairments and create visually and/or tactually accessible educational materials for all students who are blind or visually impaired to access the curriculum at the same time as their sighted peers.

Minimum Qualifications:

High School Diploma required

Meets RIDE qualifications as a Paraprofessional

Current Background Check

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Includes all of the requirements of the Paraprofessional Job Description in addition to the Special Knowledge & Skills listed below.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

1. Specialized technology applications (training to be provided)

2. Typing and keyboarding skills

3. Effective communication and interpersonal skills

4. Flexibility and strong problem-solving abilities

5. Maintain professional relationship with student

6. Foster independence

7. Ability to self-reflect and request assistance from appropriate person

8. Excellent time management skills to ensure timely availability of materials to student(s)

9. Has proficient Braille skills (UEB and Nemeth Braille codes) and agrees to maintain and improve these skills through professional development and instruction from the certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairment (TVI) (Must pass basic test)

10. Assist students at arrival, dismissal, recess, and busing (school, field trips, etc.)

11. Obtain print materials from teachers and use a camera or scanning app to create digital format

12. Work with and under the direction of the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments

13. Adapt print classroom materials into a variety of accessible media

14. Use word processing programs on Apple or PCs and demonstrate proficiency in switching between platforms

15. Complete braille translation from braille to print and print to braille with available resources when necessary

16. Operate a variety of specialized equipment and software used, including Braille writers, Braille embossers (Juliet), tactile graphic devices, computers, specialized software programs (Duxbury, Scientific Notebook, etc.)

17. Assist the educational TEAM with modifications and supplemental services

18. Participate in appropriate in-service training

19. Cooperate with the Orientation and Mobility Instructor and other staff members in the movement of students from one activity/classroom to another if deemed necessary

20. In conjunction with the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments, work directly with classroom teachers to obtain printed materials on time so all students have equal access to the curriculum

21. Provide instructional support in classrooms when necessary

22. Provide direct support to students on field trips

23. Complete required documentation forms including Medicaid, district

24. Accept direction from school personnel who are responsible for students with IEPs, including special educators, related services providers (speech, PT, OT, nurse, etc.)

25. Maintain a current, organized electronic "library" of all district-produced materials as well as maintaining a library of all Braille texts and large print materials

26. When applicable, assist the certified Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments during state/district testing as a proctor for all Braille examination materials

27. Ability to assist in instructing, reading, writing, and mathematics; and knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing, reading readiness, writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate

Training Required:

1. Training with the TVI on the use of technology specific to digital media, iPad applications, and Braille production

2. Training with the TVI to obtain skills required to properly adapt materials

3. Blindfold training to learn safe travel skills and obtain a better understanding of blindness.

4. Complete appropriate training on technology and student social/emotional development

5. Braille training-must be able to pass Braille test

6. Orientation and Mobility training-use of cane

Position Type:

Full-time