Specialist: Assistive Technology (12 month)

Assists school staff, parents and students with disabilities as well as Central Office Personnel in the planning, evaluation, selection, training and acquisition of assistive technology devices and software., * Develops, updates and implements written procedures for the evaluation, selection, training and acquisition of assistive technology devices and software.

• Assists school and central office staff in evaluation, selection, training and acquisition of assistive technology devices, and software.
• Collects data and prepares necessary reports as it relates to students with disabilities receiving assistive technology devices and software.
• Trains multidisciplinary teams/Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) Service Providers in diagnostic/prescriptive education assessments that will inform decisions on assistive/instructional technology devices and software which enhance meaningful access to and learning in the State Curriculum.
• Assists school staff in the interpretation and implementation of policies and procedures governing the evaluation, selection, training and acquisition of assistive technology devices and software.
• Assists the school system in the identification of new devices aligned to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, strategies and/or trends that will maximize results in the field of Assistive Technology (AT)/Instructional Technology (IT).
• As one of the AT/IT trans-disciplinary team members, assists the AT/IT Team in the use of Assistive Technology devices and software to support access to the general education curriculum.
• Assists in training students with disabilities, their parents and school-based staff in the use of assistive technology devices and software.
• Assists in training teacher assistants/ParaEducators to support students using assistive technology devices and software.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower., * Office, school or similar indoor environment: over 2/3 of the time
• Outdoor environment: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• In the community (homes, businesses, etc.): between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time

Exposure

• Outdoor weather conditions: under 1/3 of the time

Noise Level

• Quiet: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time

Weight & Force Lifting and carrying requirements

• Up to 10 pounds: under 1/3 of the time

Travel Requirements

• 30% daily day travel within the county travel between schools, Alternate Title: Specialist: Assistive Technology Reports to Generic: Coordinator Reports to Specific: COORDINATOR: SPECIAL SERVICES

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, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions., * Master’s Degree in related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university required.

Experience

• Three (3) years successful experience within an educational setting planning for and implementing assistive technology for students with disabilities required.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Expertise in the area of Assistive Technology and Instructional Technology.
• Knowledge of Universal Design for Learning and 21st Century technology integration.
• Demonstrated leadership skills as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form with professional colleagues, staff, students and parents.
• Excellent oral and written communications and human relation skills.
• Ability to use instructional technology hardware such as document cameras, presenters, and SmartBoards.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g. Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite -Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint preferred).

Licenses and Certifications Employee must retain active licenses, certifications, and enrollment as a condition of employment.

• Upon hire, educator certificate/license issued by Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) required; or
• Upon hire, Occupational Therapist License issued by Board of Occupational Therapy Practice required; or
• Upon hire, Speech and Language Pathologist License issued by Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists & Music Therapists required; and
• Upon hire, Speech and Language Pathology Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) Certification issued by American Speech-Hearing-Language Association (ASHA) required.
• Hold or be eligible for Driver’s License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV) required; and
• Daily access to reliable transportation.

Driving Requirements

• Driving is required to conduct bona fide Board business that is within the scope of employment in this position.
• Personal Vehicle, * Standing: under 1/3 of the time
• Walking: under 1/3 of the time
• Sitting: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Keyboarding: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Tasting: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Driving: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• As required by the duties and responsibilities of the position.

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 essential functions.