QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School diploma or equivalent, pursuant to WV Code §18A-2-5
• Criminal background check conducted pursuant to WV Code §18-5-15c
• Meet the definition of “Qualifications” in WV Code §18A-4-8e (state-approved competency test) as required.
• In addition to those duties as listed for a general special education aide the following qualifications apply:
• Applicant must have or be willing to participate and complete ongoing, WVDE approved training in the area of deaf-blindness. Support for the training may be provided by the WV SenseAbilities Project. The intervener must be knowledgeable in a variety of techniques to be used to support a student with combined vision and hearing loss to make progress in the general curriculum.
• Have a minimum competency level of I, II, III, or IV with the WV State Interpreters Certification.

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. Most commonly, the educational setting is indoors with outdoor settings for recess and field trip activities. The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate (20-60dB). Exceptions include gymnasiums as well as vocational/technical laboratories where the noise levels may be moderate to loud (60-90 dB).
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.

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.

In addition to responsibilities listed for a general special education aide the following responsibilities apply:

• Assist in the educational and social development of the student under the direction and guidance of the classroom teacher
• Be assigned as a one-to-one for a student who is deafblind.
• Assist in the implementation of the Individualized Education Plan for the student under the guidance and direction of the classroom teacher.
• Facilitates communication between the student, peers, and staff to promote ease of interaction with all persons.
• Provide support for the student inside and outside the classroom to enable him/her to fully participate in activities.
• Confer with other team members including general classroom teacher and other appropriate staff to better plan for needed modifications and services.
• Demonstrate professionalism in all interactions.
• Attend student’s IEP Team meeting in order to provide information about the student’s communication abilities and access needs.
• Serve as a member of the educational team to provide direct support the student with deaf-blindness as indicated in the student’s Individualized Educational Plan
• Work effectively in close physical proximity to the student who is primarily a visual and tactile learner.
• Become proficient in the assigned student’s communication methods and strategies.
• Assist staff in teaching academics, daily living and social skills.
• Under guidance of the classroom teacher, create activities and experiences to complement instructional program and IEP goals.
• Render communication faithfully, always convey the content and spirit of the speaker, use language most readily understood by the students served.
• Function as an extension of classroom teacher in student’s educational program.
• May be required to interpret directly from taught materials or be asked to do re-teaching as an instructional aide in one on one setting that is teacher-directed.
• Shall maintain information about the students in a confidential manner.
• Shall dress in a manner not distracting to the students and conduct oneself in all phases of assignment in a manner befitting a professional.
• May be required to accompany children to therapy sessions, playground, bus duty and other activities.
• May be required to do daily hearing aid checks and additional special record keeping.
• May be required to work one on one with students and implement teacher plans with regards to instruction, toileting skills and feeding activities.
• Required to give attention to the safety of the children and perform any other duties assigned by supervision.