Intervener -- Special Education

Position Summary

The intervener provides specialized communication support and critical connections to other people and the environment for a student who is deafblind. They serve as a support to the instructional staff and have both direct and indirect responsibilities for the deafblind student.

Essential Duties

• Helps the student gather information, learn concepts/skills, develop communication and language, and establish relationships that lead to greater independence
• Facilitates access to the environmental information that is usually gained through vision and hearing, but which is unavailable or incomplete to the student who is deafblind
• Facilitates the development and/or use of the student's receptive and expressive communication skills
• Develops and maintains a trusting, interactive relationship with the student who is deafblind that promotes social and emotional development and well-being
• Aids in implementing the student's individual plan in various settings/environments/locations including general and special education, lunchroom, hallway, and buses
• Assists in creatively preparing instructional materials for meaningful access for the student with a dual sensory loss
• Participates in team and department meetings in order to contribute valuable day-to-day knowledge of the student
• Facilitates the student's connection to others by explaining and modeling the student's specific communication system, acting as a bridge to the world, and creating a safe and supportive environment that encourages successful interactions
• Evaluates the physical setting in the classroom so as to position the student in an optimal learning situation
• Works to establish and maintain open communication with the mainstream and Special Education staff
• Provides information to the classroom teacher, in collaboration with the student's case manager, as to the role of the intervener in the classroom
• Engages in continual professional development in all areas of dual sensory loss
• Operates office equipment, assistive technology, orthopedic aids/equipment, medical equipment, and maintains amplification equipment

Qualifications

• Education Associate Degree in ASL or completion of beginning and intermediate ASL courses through Community Education or other program (coursework to be completed within 1 year of date of hire)
• Enrollment and completion of an approved Intervener training program (program to be completed within 1 year of date of hire)
• Ability to refresh and build upon ASL (American Sign Language) skills
• Experience Training in (1) the overall impact of vision and hearing on human development and learning; (2) strategies to facilitate interactions and communication with others; (3) strategies of basic instruction of students who are deafblind; (4) American Sign Language (ASL) proficiency
• Preferred Background and experience working with students who are deafblind

Skills

• Excellent organization and interpersonal skills
• Strong communication skills including writing, speaking and listening
• Creativity and able to think "outside of the box" to assist in meaningful programming
• Able to work with diverse groups
• Skilled in team building and collaboration with a demonstrated ability to involve others in work and to inform others of processes, decisions and events

Other Skills

• Technology and Training: Engages in continual professional development in all areas of dual sensory loss
• Special Considerations: Frequent: walking, standing, bending, sitting, lifting

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for employees working a minimum of 30 hours per week*. This includes health, dental, and vision insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care, as well as life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage, and long-term disability insurance. (*Temporary, seasonal, and substitute positions not eligible.)