Deaf/Hard of Hearing Assistant

Application Procedures:
Internal Candidates and External Candidates:  Apply on-line at www.district196.org

Primary Responsibilities: Under the guidance of the classroom teacher and DHH teacher, our DHH Assistants aid students in meeting their individualized education plan (IEP) goals by providing access via sign language and supporting individual communication, sensory, and social emotional needs during all activities throughout the school day.

Essential Job Function and Definition:  Provide essential communication link between the learner and all interpersonal communication the learner participates in daily.
 
Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support learners who are deaf or hard of hearing in communication, language, mobility, personal care, sensory, and other developmental needs through sign language throughout all activities in the school day in special education and/or general education settings based on learner needs.
• Assist licensed staff in providing instruction and managing student educational programming.
• Adapt instructional materials, equipment, or strategies, under the direction of the teacher or other professionals, to provide differentiated instruction, accomplish objectives and meet student needs.
• Implement charting, data collection, paperwork preparation, and other monitoring techniques to ensure student success in a variety of areas, such as behavioral, social, and educational.
• Adhere to the discipline protocol and crisis management plan set forth by the licensed classroom teacher/program and ensure all district guidelines are met
• Utilize proactive behavior management techniques, reinforcing positive behaviors, utilizing deescalation techniques, and redirecting inappropriate behaviors.
• Assist students in their daily routines, including escorting students during arrival and departure and during transitions within the school day, providing supervision in school areas such as lunch, the playground or gym, and at school related activities off-site.
• Facilitate activities with a student under the direction of the teacher or other related services staff.
• Help to maintain safety of the student and the environment.
• Collaborate with related service personnel, teachers, paraprofessionals, and other program/school staff in order to meet the needs of the student and maintain a positive work environment for all.
• Participate in training/in-service as assigned.
• Performs other job-related duties, as assigned.  

Minimum Qualifications – one of the following:   

• Proficiency in ASL 
• Experience working with students who are deaf or hard of hearing with additional needs in the educational setting, preferred, with general knowledge of the practices, methods, and techniques used in the teaching of students.

 
 
Knowledge & Abilities:

• General knowledge of practices, methods, & techniques in supporting students who are deaf or hard of hearing
• Skill in the operation of a computer and peripheral devices
• Ability to use classroom and instructional equipment as well as utilizing assistive technology and learning tools
• Ability to maintain files and information including data collection
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to relate effectively with students, parents, district staff, and the public in a multicultural community including Deaf community
• Ability to keep information confidential
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with administrative staff, students, teachers and professional services providers
• Ability to travel between schools sites as directed
• Physical Requirements:
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds weight and up to adult-size body weight with two-to-three-person lift.
  • Ability to support a student’s full body weight up to adult size.
  • Frequently requires standing, walking, lifting, bending, leaning, and repetitive motions.
  • Work occasionally requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions and exposure to bloodborne pathogens and may require wearing of personal protective equipment.

Responsible To:
Special Education Coordinator & Director of Special Education

Compensation / Benefits: 
Non-Licensed Specialist – Salary in the range of $23.15 – $29.28/ hr. (2024-25 salary range)

If benefit eligible, benefits are available to new employees effective the first day of active employment.  Benefits include medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, long term disability insurance, sick-leave, state pension plan, tax-deferred retirement savings account, and flexible spending account.  Some employee groups also receive vacation, holidays or personal leave.  Benefit information is available at Employee Benefits – Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan ISD 196

Our team of dedicated educators is committed to the mission of Educating, developing, and inspiring our students for lifelong success. Our core values are student-centered, based in empathy and integrity to support the wellbeing of the whole person, and learning with high expectations for all. Our culture of collaboration fosters an environment of inclusivity, engagement and belonging for all students, and inspires a love of learning for all ages. Our vision is to provide the experiences that our students, families and employees desire by developing the whole student and honoring diverse needs and cultures; engaging students with opportunities in academics, arts and athletics (Triple A philosophy), and living our mission to prepare students for lifelong success.
 
District 196 is a Minnesota public school district of choice, serving more than 29,000 students and 160,000 residents in the cities of Rosemount, Apple Valley, Eagan, Burnsville, Coates, Empire, Inver Grove Heights and Lakeville, and Vermillion Township. District 196 is the third largest school district in Minnesota and among the largest employers in Dakota County, with more than 4,000 full- and part-time employees. District 196 has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best-in-State Employers multiple times based on a survey asking employees to rate their employers and how likely they would be to recommend them to others.
 
District 196 has 19 elementary schools (grades K-5); six middle schools (grades 6-8); four high schools (grades 9-12); an optional School of Environmental Studies for juniors and seniors; an Area Learning Center high school program; a K-12 special education school, and a special education program serving young adults ages 18-2.2 The district also operates three learning centers that provide early childhood and Adult Basic Education services, and offers extensive community education programs and classes for learners of all ages.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer
As required by Title IX and other state and federal nondiscrimination laws, District 196 does not  discriminate in employment or in any of its education programs and activities, including vocational  opportunities, on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, creed, national origin, marital status, familial  status,* disability, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity,  membership or activity in a local human rights commission,* age or genetic information.* District 196  provides equal access to designated youth groups.
 
The Director of Human Resources, Shelly Monson (651-423-7859 –shelly.monson@district196.org) is the  designated Title IX Coordinator and has also been designated to respond to employment-related  inquiries regarding the district’s non-discrimination policies. The Director of Elementary Education,  Jeremy Sorenson (651-423-7782 – jeremy.sorenson@district196.org) and the Director of Secondary  Education, Eric Hansen (651-423-7712 – eric.hansen@district196.org) have been designated to respond  to student-related inquiries regarding the district’s non-discrimination policies. The Director of Special  Education, Janet Fimmen (651-423-7629 – janet.fimmen@district196.org) has been designated to  respond to inquiries concerning the rights of a student with a disability. The mailing address for all  directors is 3455 153rd Street W, Rosemount, MN 55068. Title IX inquiries may also be referred to the  Assistant Secretary of the US Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
 
*Asterisked categories are limited to employment-related discrimination and harassment.