Itinerate Supervisory Aide/Braille Specialist

Position Title:       Itinerate Supervisory Aide/Braille Specialist

Department:         School Buildings

Reports To:           Building Administrator/VI Teacher/Classroom Teacher

Salary:                 Pay Grade - E based upon years of service in school systems within WV. (minimum - $31,780-maximum -                              $44,260) plus competitive benefits package equal to approximately 35% of direct compensation.  

Start:                   August 12, 2026

Times:                  7:30-2:30

SUMMARY:

Serve as a classroom instructional Aide/Braille Specialist in assigned areas; assist classroom teacher in the delivery of instruction, preparation of materials, and perform other duties as assigned.  Provide Braille assistance to students, as well as, Braille transcribing and meets other special needs for blind and visually impaired students.  To be assigned as needed at any of the schools.

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:

• Follow applicable school and departmental policies and procedures as well as State Board of Education policies. Adheres to Employee Code of Conduct from WVBE and BCS.
• Demonstrate high levels of performance through such activities as:
  1. Making good work judgments
  2. Planning and organizing work thoroughly and efficiently
  3. Maintaining high quality of work
  4. Accepting responsibility
  5. Following instructions accurately
  6. Functioning efficiently under stress
  7. Proper operation and care of equipment
  8. Coordinating work with others
• Demonstrate positive work habits by such activities as:
  1. Observing work hours
  2. Maintaining good attendance
  3. Compliance with rules
  4. Meeting schedules
  5. Accepting changes
  6. Maintaining work area in a neat and orderly manner
  7. Taking initiative
  8. Demonstrating and maintaining a positive attitude and relationship with staff, students, supervisors and parents
• Follow established procedures and policies in carrying out assigned duties.
• Perform duties efficiently and productively.
• Observe safety precautions in carrying out assigned duties.
• Maintain positive relationships.
  1. Public relations
  2. Employee relations
  3. Student relations
  4. Parental relations
• Participate in professional staff development.
  1. Demonstrate a good knowledge of job skills
  2. Improve job-related training
• Maintain appropriate records in accordance with regulations and policies governing confidentiality.

1. Attend staff meetings during or after school as requested.
2. Other related duties and responsibilities as may be assigned.
3. Perform activities as outlined in the attached list of examples of specific duties and responsibilities for the specific position.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES. Other duties may be assigned.

Specific duties and responsibilities (Aide)

1. Assist teachers in classroom in carrying out instruction.

1. Assist teachers with physical education activities.
2. Work with teachers in the preparation of materials.
3. Assist students to learn to travel safely and independently.
4. Assist teachers in helping children care for their restroom needs and/or hygiene skills.
5. Assist the physical therapist and follow through with those exercises as indicated.
6. Work with teachers in developing, evaluating and implementing individualized education programs.
7. Assist students with the use of low vision aids, hearing aids and other special equipment (including, but not limited to, communication devices, mobility devices, other).
8. Assist teachers by Brailling materials (as applicable).
9. Other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

1. Communicates, collaborates, and cooperates with colleagues, supervisors, and students.
2. Assists teacher in routine classroom operation.
3. Demonstrates understanding of student's disability; keeps firm hand and is courteous and fair.
4. Demonstrates initiative and creativity with students and their program.
5. Maintains classroom including preparing bulletin boards.
6. Attends Open house, conferences on a voluntary or as requested basis.
7. Keeps records, writes lessons on the board, and corrects student's work.
8. Loads/unloads wheelchair bound students on bus, and/or waits with students for transportation.
9. Manages and instructs small groups of students when the teacher is not available.
10. Instructs and demonstrates use of exercise equipment and production machinery.
11. Participates in physical activities, which are a part of the students' basic program.
12. Assists students in the restroom as necessary, and may have to change diapers and other hygiene related procedures.
13. Be flexible in schedule and activities throughout the day
14. Help or assist with duplicating and collecting educational paperwork
15. Complete necessary training and in-service as required by the County

Specific duties and responsibilities (Braille Specialist)

1. Provides direct support to a student who is blind – acts as students’ eyes in relating to the students’ environment, related service staff, instructional staff and student peers under the direction and supervision of the teacher of the visually impaired.
2. Adheres to the student’s IEP and the modifications and instructional techniques as recommended by the related service providers (OT, PT, etc.)
3. Serves as a liaison between the visually impaired, sighted peers, and staff to promote ease of interaction with all persons.
4. Confers with the teacher of the visually impaired and other appropriate staff to best plan for needed modifications and services.
5. Provides, as necessary, general orientation and mobility skills during other activities (e.g., lunch, recess) to foster integration.
6. Demonstrate self-improvement in brailing ability, use of specialized equipment and understanding of the educational process through attendance at all in-service programs and staff meetings as directed by the special education director, school principal, or teacher of the visually impaired to whom assigned.
7. Creates instructional materials as needed.
8. Participates in the assessment of the student and in the preparation on IEP’s, progress reports, behavior plans, data collection and other documentation for program monitoring
9. Accompanies and supervises student during community based instruction.
10. Participates in site-based, regional and statewide training in the field of blind/low vision instruction.
11. Other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

*Duties of Aide and Braille Specialist categories may overlap or be performed simultaneously depending upon specific assignment.  Braille Specialists may not be pulled to assist with other assignments if it interferes with the assigned child’s programming.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises students.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Passed the state aide competency exam
• Must be familiar with the English Braille System and rules of Braille transcribing.
• Must be familiar with the Nemeth Code of Braille Mathematics and Scientific Notation.
• Demonstrate a knowledge of blindness and visual impairments and their effect on the individual’s development.
• Successfully complete an in-service training program determined by the state board to be the equivalent of three hours of college credit (e.g., Introduction to Exceptional Children).
• Must have or acquire Braille Level 2 proficiency within two years of hire date.

* if the successful applicant does not have the Braille experience/qualificaitons, the special education department will provide the training.

ADDITIONAL PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS INCLUDE:

It is recommended that the Braille Specialist-

• Complete fifteen hours of state board-approved college credit in the Braille specialist training program, with at least a 2.0 grade average.
• Hold certification from the Library of Congress for English Braille Transcribing
• Be familiar with transcription of specialized materials and operation of specialized equipment.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, write and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to staff, parents, students and administrators.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detail but uninvolved written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Ability to work with emotionally, physically and/or mentally impaired students. Ability to maintain composure under stressful conditions. Ability to develop effective working relationships with students, staff and the school community. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies. Understanding of confidentiality and commitment to abide by confidentiality regulations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds such as adaptive equipment and supplies. The employee must frequently push/pull up to 90 pounds such as grocery carts filled with supplies or student wheel chairs. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, to use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to bend at the trunk more than the average person. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and peripheral vision. The employee needs to be able to tell where a sound is coming from and hear in a noisy environment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. The employee is frequently exposed to infection at a greater risk than the average person. The employee must work with public and other staff, continuously meeting multiple demands from several people.

EVALUATION: Job performance is evaluated in accordance to district guidelines by the supervisor.

The information contained in the job description is for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is not an exhaustive list of duties performed by this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned by the Superintendent or his/her designee.

The employee shall remain free of any alcohol or non-prescribed drugs while in the workplace.  Alcohol and controlled substances, which effect employee productivity, safety, or judgment in the workplace, will not be tolerated.

Berkeley County Schools is bound by statute to recommend the most qualified applicants for position vacancies. In order to determine those qualifications as set forth by the West Virginia Code, we require all applicants to fill out an application, which includes references, and, in many instances, participate in interviews. Failure to provide references, negative references, and failing to participate in requested interviews may impact negatively a candidate's qualifications.

Applicants who have been dismissed or have had their contracts non-renewed for cause are not eligible for consideration.  Applicants who receive unfavorable reference recommendations will not be eligible for consideration.  Applicants must complete the entire application and provide all documents required.  Failure to complete the application and provide requested items will result in the application not being considered.