What are the responsibilities and job description for the Educational Assistant for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing - Part-Time position at System-Wide?
This is a part-time position that does not include benefits. Experience with school-age students preferred who are deaf or hard of hearing. Certificate of completion for an American Sign Language (ASL) course or enrollment in such a course within 90 days of employment required.
Our salary schedules may be accessed on our website here.
Job Summary
The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Educational Assistant provides classroom and communication support to students who are Deaf or hard of hearing. Under the direction of a certified teacher or service provider, the assistant supports student access to instruction, reinforces learning objectives, and facilitates classroom participation through the use of visual supports, simplified communication, and other access tools. This position promotes student independence and inclusion while ensuring effective communication in academic and social settings.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.
- Supports students who are Deaf or hard of hearing in accessing classroom instruction,discussions, and activities through visual, written, or simplified spoken/signedcommunication methods.
- Reinforces instructional content and directions provided by the teacher or service provider.
- Assists in implementing accommodations and supports identified in the student’s IEP or 504Plan.
- Supports the use of assistive technology and amplification devices (e.g., FM systems,captioning tools) under the direction of the IEP team or audiologist.
- Provides clarification of instructions and classroom content as needed to ensure studentunderstanding.
- Collaborates with classroom teachers, special education staff, and related service providers tosupport access and inclusion.
- Promotes student independence by encouraging self-advocacy and appropriate communicationstrategies.
- Maintains student confidentiality in accordance with FERPA and school district policy.
- Assists with supervision of students during transitions, recess, or other school-relatedactivities as assigned.
- Participates in team meetings and professional development related to supporting students who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the principal or special education department.
Minimum Education and Experience
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Associate’s degree or 48 semester hours of college coursework preferred.
- Experience working with school-aged students who are deaf or hard of hearing preferred.
- Fluency in American Sign Language (ASL) preferred.
- Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
Required Licenses or Certifications
- Certificate of completion for an American Sign Language (ASL) course or enrollment in such a course within 90 days of employment.
- Additional certifications may be required, as determined by the Board.
- Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate and acceptable.
Key Competencies
Specific capacities and abilities may be required of an individual in order to learn or perform adequately a task or job duty.
Knowledge of:
- Basic communication strategies and visual supports used by students who are Deaf or hard of hearing
- Educational practices for supporting diverse learners
- FERPA and student confidentiality standards
Skill in:
- Supporting students in the use of assistive listening or visual communication devices
- Communicating clearly and adapting based on student needs
- Collaborating effectively with staff and service providers
Ability to:
- Build rapport and maintain respectful communication with students and staff
- Reinforce instructional content under the direction of a teacher
- Support student participation and access in various school environments
- Demonstrate patience, flexibility, and professionalism
Physical Demands and Working Conditions
The physical demands and working conditions 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 listed functions.
- This job may require lifting of objects that exceed 25 lbs. Other physical demands that may be required are as follows:
o Pushing and/or pulling
o Climbing
o Stooping and/or kneeling
o Reaching
o Talking
o Hearing
o Seeing
- Adaptability to performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature without loss of efficiency or composure; accepting responsibility for the direction, control, or planning of an activity; dealing with students; generalizing, evaluations, or decisions based on sensory or judgmental criteria.
- Ability to understand instructions and underlying principles; reason and make judgments; understand meanings of words and the ideas associated with them; perform arithmetic operations quickly and accurately; move the hands easily and manipulate small objects with the fingers; make visual comparisons and discriminations and see slight differences in shapes and shadings of figures; perceive or recognize similarities or differences in colors or shades or other values of the same color.
- Low to medium degree of discomfort due to exposure to temperature, fumes, dirt, dust, noise, and cleaning chemicals.
- This position may require working with a diverse group of individuals. This position may require working with students of all ages as well as parents and staff. Employees in this position may encounter stressful situations where a professional attitude will be required. Multi-tasking is essential as deadlines and frequent interruptions are common.
Terms Of Employment
Salary and work year to be established by the Board.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so assigned.
Salary : $16