Description

Summary: Provides direct and indirect service to students receiving special education. Provides instructional leadership to general education and special education teachers and support staff. Schedules and chairs all Individualized Education Plan Committee meetings (IEPCs) for students on assigned caseload and in assigned special education classrooms. Serves as liaison and consultant to local school districts.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.

1. Participates in diagnostic activities for re-evaluation of students on caseload.
2. Participates in the diagnostic process for children suspected of being visually impaired. Activities may include:
   1. Assists parents with obtaining a medical exam from an ophthalmologist (or equivalent).
   2. Observes student's adaptive behavior in school, home and community.
   3. Documents for the IEP team the student's visual acuity and/or peripheral vision.
3. Chairs or participates in IEPCs on students with disabilities.
4. Provides direct service to students with disabilities as designated by the IEP team. Activities may include:
   1. Use high and low technology resources to support students learning, such as large print books, tapes, Braille, abacus, talking calculator, etc.
   2. Tutor student in academic areas as needed to ensure success in regular classroom.
   3. Train student in sensory and tactile learning, auditory development, and visual development.
   4. Assist student in developing independence in school and home.
5. Provides consultation to school personnel regarding:
   1. Optimal seating for visually impaired student in the classroom.
   2. Large print books, tapes, tests, and other equipment.
   3. Educational needs of students, such as: assignments, modified curriculum, mobility in the classroom.
   4. Social needs that are unique to visually impaired students.
6. Provides consultation to parents of students with disabilities regarding:
   1. Schedules of visual examinations by physicians.
   2. Purchases of low vision aide; sources of assistance.
   3. On-going checks on care and fit of low-vision aids.
   4. Sources of outside assistance: Vocational Rehabilitation, Michigan Bureau of Blind Persons, MDE-LIO, Camp Tuhsmeheta, parent organizations, Lions Club.
7. Makes home visits to report student progress and to assist in home training activities.
8. Works closely with Orientation and Mobility specialist in designing instructional goals and objectives for each student.
9. Prepares written report of student progress at close of every year.
10. Chair annual review meetings on students with disabilities. Design new objectives, plan schedule with input from school personnel and parents.
11. Transport self in a personal vehicle between school sites.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: Master's degree in applicable education field. Minimum of three years satisfactory teaching experience, with at least two years in a special education classroom. Preference will be given to applicants who are proficient Braille readers and are able to effectively teach students to do so, but consideration will be given to applicants who are not yet proficient and commit to train to becoming proficient within the first year of employment.
    Certificates, Licenses, Registration: Valid Michigan teaching certificate. Full approval as a teacher in one or more areas of Special Education, including endorsement to teach students with visual impairments in the State of Michigan. Teacher consultant approval from Michigan Department of Education or eligible for such approval. Valid Michigan driver's license and good driving record
    Language Skills: Ability to write educational objectives for specific job tasks. Ability read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to speak clearly and concisely in written and oral communication. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
    Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with and apply mathematical concepts.
    Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned.
    Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community. Knowledgeable in the area of developmental patterns, programming and instructional strategies for students with disabilities. Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to instructional program; ability to plan and implement lessons based on division and school objectives and the needs and abilities of students to whom assigned. Broad knowledge of occupations and prerequisite skills needed for job entry. Ability to use basic computing platforms, such as Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet, and/or Google. Employee will be required to provide own transportation between work locations as necessary. The employee is frequently required to interact with the public and other staff. Ability to be responsible for the safety and well-being of students. Regular, predictable in-person attendance is required.
    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.
    While performing the duties of this job, employee is regularly required to sit, talk and hear. Employee regularly performs duties using a personal computer, and a variety of files, forms and documents and must be able to use hands, fingers, and arms in a manner that allows the individual to type, use a computer mouse, and hold individual sheets of paper and sort materials. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, and/or crouch. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee may occasionally push, pull or lift up to 50 pounds such as student equipment and wheelchairs.
    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 ranges from quiet to loud and is typically moderate. Work is usually performed indoors but may require travel between buildings in all types of weather. The employee is exposed to infections at a greater risk level than the average person.
    Pre-employment Screening: Applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment for a position with JCISD will be required to successfully complete a background check, a pre-employment physical to determine ability to perform the desired position (with or without reasonable accommodations) and a drug test.
    Employment Date, Salary, and Fringe Benefits: Anticipated employment date is ASAP. Placement on the Special Education Salary Schedule depends on education, qualifications and experience. A new employee starting salary range is $50,498-$101,198. Paid health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurances, sick, and personal business days.
    Contact: Interested parties should go to our website, to complete an online application.
    

    APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED UNTIL FEBRUARY 16,2024 OR UNTIL FILLED

    
    The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position. Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.
    The Board of Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, (including sexual orientation or gender identity), disability, age (except as authorized by law), religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, (collectively, "Protected Classes"), in its programs and activities, including employment opportunities.
    The Superintendent shall appoint and publicize the name of the compliance officer(s) who is/are responsible for coordinating the District's efforts to comply with applicable Federal and State laws and regulations, including the District's duty to address in a prompt and equitable manner any inquiries or complaints regarding discrimination or denial of equal access. The Compliance Officer(s) shall also verify that proper notice on nondiscrimination for Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (as amended), Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act is provided to staff members and the general public.
    The Jackson County Intermediate School District is an educational service agency that works in partnership with local public and charter schools, and the local community. We are committed to the success of all students by providing educational leadership, services, programs, and resources. Our work and organizational goals are driven by Five Guiding Principles: Instruction ~ Quality, Creativity and RelevanceLeadership ~ Envisioning, Engaging and ExecutingService ~ Listening, Caring and then ServingCommunity ~ Collaboration and PartnershipsEquity ~ Inclusive, Responsive and Sincere BelongingConsistent with our purposes and guiding principles, the JCISD is actively pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion in our employment practices. We encourage applicants who may not have a specific listed qualification, but who believe they have the needed knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of a position, to apply and to highlight how their education, experience and/or other abilities make them qualified to perform the essential functions of a position, to apply and to highlight how their education, experience and/or other abilities make them qualified to perform the essential functions of the posted position.