Communication Aide - Hawaii District-West Special Education/Special Services

About the role

The Communication Aide, SR-12 position involves providing reinforcement lessons and repetitive drill activities in speech and/or language correction to students, under the guidance of a Speech Pathologist. The role also includes assisting students in improving their speech and language skills, recording pertinent data, and participating in conferences with parents and school personnel.

Responsibilities

• Provides reinforcement lessons and repetitive drill activities in speech and/or language correction to students, in accordance with an educational/treatment plan developed by a Speech Pathologist.
• Assists students in improving their speech and/or language skills.
• Teaches students how to attend and react to verbal communication.
• Teaches students how to use socially appropriate language in various situations.
• Records all pertinent data and information related to speech and/or language activities.
• Makes arrangements for remediation sessions with school personnel involved.
• Participates in conferences with parents, designated school personnel, and the Speech Pathologist to maintain an awareness of the needs of the student and to provide input regarding the student's progress.
• Adapts and devises materials and activities to meet individual students' needs.
• Provides follow-up home activities and materials relevant to students' specific needs.
• Gathers information and data regarding students' progress in tutorial sessions, in addition to any significant behavioral observations.
• Scores appropriate responses for remediation as indicated by program guidelines.
• Assists the Speech Pathologist in preparing and developing materials and activities for strategies of intervention.
• Attends training sessions and workshops.
• May provide clerical services for the Speech Pathologist and/or the diagnostic team.

Requirements

• Basic Education Requirements: High school diploma, GED, or equivalent AND one of the following minimum education requirements, which have been established within the parameters described by the Federal Government's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: 48 semester credits, baccalaureate level courses, from an accredited institution of higher education recognized by the Hawaii Department of Education. The forty-eight (48) credits may be from various program or academic subject areas. In addition, of the 48 credits from baccalaureate level courses, 3 must have been for math and 3 for English courses. An Associate in Arts (AA) or Science (AS) degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Hawaii Department of Education. The credits earned for the degree must include a minimum of 48 credits for courses that are baccalaureate level. Successful completion of the ParaPro Assessment provided by the Education Testing Service (ETS).
• Experience Requirements: Two (2) years of work experience which involved providing supportive services to professional personnel directly engaged in the academic, personal, social and/or vocational development of children, including direct interaction with individuals and at least one (1) year of this experience which involved some involvement in assisting in the learning activities of children (e.g., assisting children in drills and in learning specific skills; observing and reporting on children's difficulties and progress; assisting in reading exercises, etc.). One (1) year of progressively responsible work experience which involved assisting a Speech Pathologist in implementing educational/treatment plans for individuals with speech and language disorders and/or problems, including providing remedial activities (e.g., reinforcement lessons and repetitive drills) in speech and language correction, under the direct and close supervision of the Speech Pathologist.

Qualifications

• Must demonstrate the ability to hear and speak (articulate and enunciate sounds, words, phrases and sentences clearly) the English language properly, in order to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of the class.

Skills

• Knowledge of common speech and language problems and disorders.
• Basic goals and objectives of speech and language services.
• Basic child development, as it relates to speech and language.
• Basic instruction/remedial techniques used in speech and language correction.
• The ability to adapt and devise materials and activities to meet individual needs.

Benefits

Salary: The advertised salary is based on full-time employment and includes shortage and school year differentials, if applicable.

Requirements: Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the date of the application, unless otherwise specified. Unless specifically indicated, the required education and experience may not be gained concurrently.

Calculation of experience is based on full-time, 40-hour workweeks. Part-time experience is pro-rated.

Payday: New employees can expect their first paycheck within the first 3 pay periods of their start date. Payday is on the 5th and 20th (or previous business day) of every month.

10-month civil service and SSP employees enjoy a range of competitive benefits:

• Holidays, Personal Leave, and Sick Leave: Many employees enjoy paid holidays, personal leave, and sick leave during the school year provided that all conditions under the respective collective bargaining agreement are met.
• Health Insurance: If eligible, the State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan.
• Group Life Insurance: The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees and retirees.
• Premium Conversion Plan: Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.
• Retailer Retirement Plan: The State contributes to the retirement plan for employees.