Instructional Aide II - Special Education, Hearing Impaired

WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING ONLINE APPLICATIONS FOR THIS RECRUITMENT. You may apply online by clicking the "Apply" button on this page. If you need assistance applying online, please contact us at (626) 933-3920.  

THE POSITION:  

Under the supervision of an administrator, performs a variety of instructional activities and support activities for students with severe disabilities, using total (simultaneous signing and oral) communication.

CURRENT OPENING: One 10-month/30 hours per week position. Salary placement will be on Range 21 of the CSEA Salary Schedule "B". Initial salary placement for new employees is customarily at step 1 ($24.07 per hour) of this salary range. 

APPLICANT FILING INFORMATION:  This recruitment is open to the public. An eligibility list will be established to fill vacancies for full time, part time, evening, summer, and substitute positions throughout the duration of the eligibility list. Eligibility lists typically last for twelve months. Vacant positions are filled from the top three ranks. Pursuant to PC Rule 6.2.10, the eligibility list established for this recruitment may be used for another related classification at the same or lower salary.   

NOTE:  Answers to the supplemental questions AND proof of your highest obtained education or transcripts must be submitted with your application. You may upload the documents to your online application (in the “Attachments” section) or fax them to Silvia Lagunas at (626) 333-7416. 

The classification specification does not describe all duties performed by all incumbents within the class. This summary provides examples of typical tasks performed in this classification.

• Uses American Sign Language (ASL) and other visual cues to support oral instruction and direction.
• Translates oral or written English through total (simultaneous signing and oral) communication.
• Works with individuals and small groups of hearing impaired students to reinforce and follow up learning activities.
• Assists instructional personnel in the implementation of Individual Educational Plans (IEPs).
• Feeds students by hand.
• Assists in the management and shaping of student behavior through the use of positive reinforcement strategies.
• Uses total communication to direct students into safe activities and in the implementation of appropriate social behavior.
• Assists in maintaining a neat, orderly and attractive learning environment.
• Monitors and assists students in the bathroom, on the playground, and other assigned areas.
• Assists students with personal physical needs (e.g. diapering, using restroom, menstrual cycle needs and/or changing bag for students with colostomy, catheterizing, and g-tube feeding).
• Assists teachers and other professional personnel with instructional and behavioral management activities and strategies with students experiencing interruptions of the learning process due to special needs.
• Assists in the implementation of instructional motor skills, including physical education, for Individuals With Exceptional Needs (IWENs).
• Assists students in learning bathroom skills and eating skills.
• Assists in the development of a variety of instructional materials for use with hearing impaired individuals and small groups of hearing impaired students, or in activity centers.
• Prepares Mobility Opportunities Via Education (MOVE) equipment for individual students and lifts students in and out of equipment.
• Assists in the loading and unloading of students from buses and the transferring of students to and from classrooms.
• Assists in the maintenance of student discipline.
• Scores and corrects classroom and homework assignments, and records grades.
• Performs a variety of special education related clerical and supportive tasks for instructional personnel.
• Performs custodial duties such as laundry, trash disposal, sweeping and cleaning of restrooms (i.e., potty chairs and portable urinals).

OTHER RELATED DUTIES

• May attend to students with medical needs.
• May administer medication. 
• Performs other related duties as directed.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS AMONG RELATED CLASSES
An Instructional Aide II – Special Education/Bilingual performs a variety of instruction and tutoring on various subjects to students with severe disabilities, and at time performs oral and/or written translation in a specified language other than English.

An Instructional Aide II – Special Education, Hearing Impaired performs a variety of instruction and tutoring on various subjects to students with severe disabilities, using total (simultaneous signing and oral) communication.
 
A Sign Language Interpreter – Adult School provides interpreting services to adult students and staff with severe hearing impairments.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Employees in this classification speak clearly; lift and carry up to 50 lbs. unassisted and over 50 lbs. with assistance; hear normal voice conversation; maintain balance; walk; have rapid mental/muscular coordination; stand; have depth perception; stoop/bend, sit, crawl, kneel, squat, bend repeatedly; see small details, push, reach overhead, pull, and use a computer.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Employees in this classification work primarily indoors; in direct contact with students, the public and other district staff; exposed to strong odors; exposed to potentially contagious illnesses/disease (tuberculosis, measles, mumps, chicken pox, hepatitis, etc.); without guidance from supervisor; some assignments may require constant attention to protecting physical safety in a classroom where pupils, because of the nature and severity of their disabilities, are accident prone, or because of assaultive or self-abusive tendencies could cause serious injury to themselves or others.

Education:
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requires all paraprofessionals who provide instructional assistance to possess a high-school diploma or General Education Development (GED) or equivalent AND ONE of the following:

1. A minimum of 48 semester or 72 quarter units of college coursework.
2. An Associate or higher degree from an accredited college or university.
3. Pass an assessment that demonstrates knowledge of and the ability to assist in teaching, reading, writing and mathematics.

Experience:
One year of paid or volunteer experience within an educational or child care setting, preferably serving orthopedically/severely disabled students and/or providing sign language communication services.

Special:

• A Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certificate issued by a recognized training program must be secured within six months after appointment and kept valid during the term of employment.
• Successfully complete a pre-employment physical examination. Absence of back problems or any other physical impairments that might preclude the performance of physical labor or lifting must be evident.
• Gender is a bona fide occupational qualification for some of these positions and is determined by whether or not the position works in and around males or females in the bathroom and performing sensitive physical needs of male or female students.

Knowledge of:

• American Sign Language (ASL).
• Concepts of total communication, including use of speech, residual hearing, speech reading, and manual communication.
• Basic techniques and methods used in teaching the deaf or hearing impaired. 
• Arithmetical concepts.
• Concepts of child development and child behavior characteristics.
• English usage, punctuation, spelling and grammar.
• Student behavior management techniques and strategies.
• Learning problems of children with special educational needs.
• Basic First Aid procedures.
• Diapering process.
• Public education goals and objectives.
• Simple record keeping and record management.

 Ability to:

• Communicate orally and with total (simultaneous signing and oral) communication.
• Read, and speak English, while simultaneously communicating effectively in manual or sign language.
• Provide appropriate assistance to medically challenged or fragile students with hearing impairment.
• Operate assistive technology used by students with hearing impairments.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Exercise judgment and initiative and reach sound decisions within established policies and guidelines.
• Be attentive and alert to medical or safety needs of students.
• Tolerate strong odors.
• Assist students with personal hygiene needs.
• Learn simple methods and procedures, and effectively utilize training received on the job.
• Assist students in learning bathroom skills and eating skills.
• Lift students in and out of wheelchairs.
• Operate a variety of instructional media, computers, office machines, and equipment.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.
• Maintain accurate and current records and reports.
• Successfully adjust to interruptions in work schedules and routines on short notice.
• Be dependable, following through with policies and procedures and be relied upon to be at work on time daily.
• Demonstrate an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward children.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain a cooperative and effective working relationship with children and adults.
• Deal with interpersonally challenging situations calmly and diplomatically to diffuse tension.

Salary : $24 - $32