School-Based AAC Specialist / Assistive Technology Specialist

Location: Coos and Curry Counties • 0.8 FTE (153 days)

About the Role

The AAC Specialist is a licensed SLP who provides specialized, regional, or district-wide support for students birth–21 with complex communication needs. This role focuses on the evaluation, selection, customization, and implementation of high- and low-tech communication systems. The specialist works within a transdisciplinary team to "engineer" inclusive school environments, ensuring communication systems seamlessly integrate into the student's daily academic and social routines.

Responsibilities

• Conduct independent AAC and Assistive Technology (AT) evaluations utilizing evidence-based practices to assess student strengths, environments, and academic tasks.
• Guide Individualized Education Program (IEP) teams or 504 teams in developing measurable communication goals and identifying necessary accommodations, modifications, and universal designs for learning (UDL).
• Program, customize, and collaborate with Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to maintain high-tech speech-generating devices (e.g., eye-gaze systems, switches, iPad-based communication apps) and design robust low-tech/light-tech visual communication systems.
• Provide direct, ongoing coaching and professional development to classroom teachers, paraprofessionals, and parents using adult-learning principles to ensure successful adoption and prevent device abandonment.
• Collaborate with LEAs to navigate both educational procurement and medical funding pathways (including Oregon Medicaid/OHP and private insurance) to secure dedicated communication devices for students.
• Manage a district or ESD equipment loan library, tracking inventory, software licenses, and device deployment.
• Travel regularly between school buildings, community sites, or family homes across the district or ESD service boundary.
• Maintain confidentiality of student records and comply with state and federal privacy regulations.
• Meet standards for competent and ethical performance as outlined in OAR 584-20-005-035.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Supervisor, Director of Special Education, and Superintendent.

Requirements

• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience specializing in AAC/AT evaluations and implementation, preferably within a K-12 public school setting.
• Deep knowledge of motor access methodologies (e.g., eye gaze, head tracking, switch scanning) and language representation systems (e.g., core vocabulary, robust pragmatic organization dynamic displays).
• Proven capability to write clear, concise, and legally defensible evaluation reports for IEP eligibility and medical funding.
• Ability to obtain a valid First Aid/CPR card and a valid Oregon Driver’s License for travel between school sites.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology/Communication Disorders.
• ASHA Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) preferred (Clinical Fellows with strong AAC backgrounds may be considered).
• Oregon State License issued by the Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Board (SPAB).
• Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) licensure or eligibility for an Oregon special education/clinical services credential.

Working Conditions

• May work beyond an eight-hour day or a five-day work week attending meetings, conferences, and school activities.
• Must be competent in conflict resolution and able to communicate effectively in confrontational and emotional situations involving staff, students, parents, and patrons.
• Confidentiality is a top priority; must comply with state and federal privacy regulations.
• Works under varied workloads and inflexible deadlines; must prioritize demands effectively.
• Must be able to lift materials, boxes, or equipment weighing up to 30 pounds; may assist in lifting/moving equipment up to 40 pounds.
• May come into contact with biohazards such as human waste, saliva, or blood; must take appropriate protective precautions.

Pay

$51,498.40 to $84,238.40 (based on FTE).