RECRUITMENT DETAILS:

• The anticipated openings are up to 32.50 hours per week, working 184 days per year in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program.
  Please see the link for the calendar:
  https://web.dusd.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/2023-24-Classified-Work-Calendars.pdf
• The recruitment will be run as Open and Promotional, (open to current employees, employees on the reemployment list, and the public).
• This will result in the creation of 2 hiring Eligibility Lists: one priority list for successful internal candidates and a second list for successful external candidates; these will be used to fill open positions during the life of each list.
• Only online applications will be accepted: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/downey
  EXPERIENCE:
  • Three months of paid or volunteer experience working with people who can communicate or be communicated with only through sign language.
  • One specialized course in sign language may be substituted for three months of paid or volunteer experience working with people who can communicate or be communicated with only through sign language.
• EDUCATION:
  • High school diploma or equivalent.
• ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS/INFORMATION:
  • Some positions in this classification may require the availability of private transportation;
  • May occasionally be assigned duties from the class specification for Senior Instructional Assistant.
• KNOWLEDGE OF:
  • Practical learning patterns and behavior
  • Basic characteristics of human behavior
  • Elementary concepts of child development and behavior
  • Basic communication skills
  • Reading, speaking and writing in English
  • Personal hygiene practices
  • Basic math
  • Principles of implementing diversity in the workplace
  • Laws, rules, practices and procedures related to the education program to which assigned
  • Recognition and reporting requirements for suspected child abuse
• ABILITY TO:
  • Use total communication (e.g., sign language) continuously while performing tasks
  • Understand and follow instructional and assessment protocol
  • Communicate with students and staff, and motivate students to participate in learning activities
  • Maintain emotional control under difficult situations
  • Recognize and report safety hazards
  • Operate computer technology and office equipment
  • Maintain confidentiality of student information
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with students and staff
  • Model communication and interaction that respects and includes all individuals and their languages, abilities, religions and cultures

BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the general supervision of an administrator, uses total communication (e.g., sign language) to instruct students individually or in groups in accordance with prescribed learning objectives, and acts as a paraprofessional assistant to a teacher in performing assigned tasks.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:
This class is distinguished from the Senior Instructional Assistant class by the additional responsibility of using total communication skills (e.g., sign language) to translate and interpret written and spoken educational information or instructions. The Senior Instructional Assistant – Sign Language functions as a paraprofessional assistant for teachers and deaf and hard of hearing students in special education classrooms; the Sign Language Interpreter interprets subject matter and educational concepts for deaf and hard of hearing students in mainstream classrooms.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• Under supervision of a teacher, provides individualized instruction by matching instruction to the needs of each student. E
• Works with students individually or in small groups to tutor, reinforce, or follow up on learning activities. E
• Translates oral or written English into total communication (e.g., sign language). E
• May assist students in learning oral speech patterns by helping them produce sounds, words, and sentences. E
• Helps students relate to individuals and groups in the mainstream environment. E
• Assists by guiding or by providing an example in a variety of areas, including physical development and fitness, communication, personal appearance and hygiene, academic learning, and vocational skills. E
• Helps students to be self-reliant by advocating for their needs. E
• Assists teachers with classroom activities for students. E
• Assists students in learning through the use of computer technology and other teaching devices. E
• Assists teachers in establishing and maintaining a clean, safe, and pleasant classroom and learning environment. E
• Assists with supervision of classroom, outdoor playground, and field trip activities, to direct students into safe activities and relationships. E
• Assists teachers with the modification and maintenance of appropriate standards of behavior for students. E
• Assists teachers with implementation of student's Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.). E
• Confers on a regular basis with a teacher in regard to activities, instructional goals and objectives, student progress and pertinent health or behavior problems. E
• Attends in-service and staff meetings as required. E
• May assist students with taking medication under prescribed policies and procedures.
• Performs routine clerical tasks related to student records and instructional activities. E
• May participate as a member to help develop and implement individual or site crisis management plans.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
  Note: At the end of some of the duty statements there is an "E" which identifies essential duties required of the classification.

ALL COMMUNICATIONS FROM DUSD REGARDING TESTING AND/OR INTERVIEWS WILL BE SENT VIA EMAIL.
The recruitment process will consist of a written, performance examination and/or an oral technical interview. Testing may occur on a weekly basis.PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This summary provides examples of the typical physical demands and work environment of this classification.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work requires some physical exertion.

• Stands to monitor and assist students with academic instruction
• Moves between areas of a school site or within a classroom to monitor students and assist with academic instruction
• Sits to assist students with classwork
• Rotates head left and right from a neutral position to monitor, supervise, and/or attend to students
• Moves head forward and backward from a neutral position to assist students with academic instruction
• Uses hands, wrists, and fingers repetitively to communicate using sign language to students who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Exchanges information with students and staff to facilitate classroom instruction and ensure safety
• Uses near visual acuity at 20 inches or less to facilitate classroom instruction, safety, and other related areas
• Observes surroundings within one's periphery to facilitate classroom instruction, safety, and other related areas

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The environment involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions.

• Work in an indoor, climate-controlled environment