Summary

Professional | Special Ed - ECSE | R | 271 Belvidere Bldg | Available: Open Until Filled | Closing: 9999-12-12

Description

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Position Summary

Facilitate communication, both oral and written, between families, students and special education staff during special education evaluation and programming.

Reporting Relationship

Report to the Supervisor, Special Education.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree with a bilingual focus or two years of college coursework and two years of interpreting and/or translating experience.  Must be fluent in oral and written communication skills in both English and a second language.
  • Must be able to work a flexible schedule as needed and have a reliable means of transportation in order to travel to multiple sites on a regular basis.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of special education and due process rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
  • Knowledge of special education terminology and of disability categories.
  • Knowledge of special education programs and community resources available for special education children and their parents.
  • Knowledge of the dominant, home, school and special education cultures.
  • Skill in the operation of a computer and ability to utilize software programs to accomplish work objectives.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in English and a second language (oral, written and listening) and within cultural mores.
  • Ability to coordinate a complex schedule within deadlines and with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to interact with parents in a respectful, culturally appropriate manner, often in emotional situations and to create trust and calm in meetings between parents and district staff.
  • Ability to serve as a member of a team.

Responsibilities

  • The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following fundamental duties:
  • Serve as part of the Special Education Team to assist licensed staff with making decisions relating to special education placement and establishing Individual Education Plans by providing information gathered from parents and children through the use of screening tools and interviews.
  • Administer screening tools as appropriate; listen to and evaluate speech sounds in home language in conjunction with speech language pathologists; transcribe students’ language samples from home language into the English equivalent.
  • Advise special education staff whether evaluation and assessment tools and test items are culturally appropriate and/or fair; advise special education and/or school staff when parents or students need more information about special education or school policies and procedures.
  • Conduct telephone interviews and occasional in-person interviews with parents of students referred for special education evaluation to gather information regarding their child’s development, language skills and health.
  • Respond to parent questions regarding special education, due process and disabling conditions; explain special education services and disabilities to parents in a culturally sensitive manner; ensure that parents are informed of their rights in a legally defensible manner.
  • Act as an on-going contact with special education staff for parents who do not speak English.
  • Facilitate oral and written communication between students, parents and all appropriate district and school staff;
  • Advise district and school staff on culturally appropriate behavior during home visits and/or meetings.
  • Coordinate meetings for ELL families and schedule student evaluations with the appropriate special education staff.
  • Coordinate and participate in home visits with Early Childhood Special Education staff.
  • Transcribe, translate and document initial evaluation and re-evaluation parent interviews, other parent contacts and attempts to contact; forward this information to the appropriate district and/or school staff.
  • Enter special education information into the computer system for third-party billing purposes.
  • Assist families with special education students to access resources at Saint Paul Public Schools or within the community.
  • Attend community events to provide information and respond to questions regarding special education concerns; promote English Language Learner groups.
  • Consult with district and state personnel to develop appropriate and meaningful questions for parent interviews.
  • Contribute to the District’s inclusive workplace efforts by fostering a safe, welcoming and respectful environment.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned.

PAY, BENEFITS & WORK SCHEDULE
This is a 10 month position working 40 hours per week.
Salary and benefits are in accordance with the SPFE – SCSP negotiated labor agreement. The salary schedule can be found on the Labor Agreements page. 
 
Benefits are available to new employees after 30 days of active employment.  Benefits include medical insurance, life insurance, sick leave, pension plan, tax-free retirement account, and flexible spending account.  Some employee groups also receive vacation, dental insurance and disability insurance.  A summary of benefits can be found on the Benefits Summaries page.
 
HOW TO APPLY
To be considered further, please apply for this position and attach a resume and cover letter to your online application.
 
The Human Resource Department will review your application materials and contact you regarding the next steps.
 
To attach additional documents to your online application, click on the “Additional Attachments” link from the applicant homepage and upload your documents as attachments.  Valid file extensions for attaching a document include .doc, .txt, .rtf, and .pdf.
 
OTHER INFORMATION
Transcript – Unofficial transcripts are accepted at the time of hire.  You must submit official transcripts within 30 days of your start date.  Formal credential evaluation is required for post-secondary education completed outside of the United States.
 
Veteran’s Preference – If you are an eligible veteran applying for a job where veteran’s preference applies and wish to claim Veterans Preference you must submit a legible copy of your DD214 to the Human Resource Department with your employment application. If your claim is approved, five or ten additional points will be added to your final passing score.
 
Criminal Background Investigation and Reference Checks – Reference checks and a criminal background investigation will be completed as a condition of hire for all new employees and for former employees who have not been employed by the District for more than six months.
 
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Essential functions are job duties that the individual holding the position must be able to perform unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation through the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disability Amendments Act (ADAAA). The essential functions are typical duties as outlined under Responsibilities.
 
Regular and reliable attendance.
 
May be exposed to various cleaning products.
 
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
Saint Paul Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and supports an inclusive workplace environment.
 
EQUITY STATMENT
SPPS is committed to an equitable workforce where all employees represent this commitment through equitable practices in their job position.