Specialist: Assistive Technology (12 month)

About the Role

Assists school staff, parents, students with disabilities, and Central Office Personnel in the planning, evaluation, selection, training, and acquisition of assistive technology devices and software.

Responsibilities

• Develops, updates, and implements written procedures for the evaluation, selection, training, and acquisition of assistive technology devices and software.
• Assists school and central office staff in evaluation, selection, training, and acquisition of assistive technology devices and software.
• Collects data and prepares necessary reports related to students with disabilities receiving assistive technology devices and software.
• Trains multidisciplinary teams/Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) Service Providers in diagnostic/prescriptive education assessments to inform decisions on assistive/instructional technology devices and software that enhance meaningful access to and learning in the State Curriculum.
• Assists school staff in the interpretation and implementation of policies and procedures governing the evaluation, selection, training, and acquisition of assistive technology devices and software.
• Assists the school system in identifying new devices aligned to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, strategies, and trends to maximize results in Assistive Technology (AT) and Instructional Technology (IT).
• As a member of the AT/IT trans-disciplinary team, assists in the use of Assistive Technology devices and software to support access to the general education curriculum.
• Assists in training students with disabilities, their parents, and school-based staff in the use of assistive technology devices and software.
• Assists in training teacher assistants/ParaEducators to support students using assistive technology devices and software.
• Performs other related duties as assigned within the same classification or lower.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree in a related field of education from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Three years of successful experience within an educational setting planning for and implementing assistive technology for students with disabilities.

Qualifications

• Expertise in Assistive Technology and Instructional Technology.
• Knowledge of Universal Design for Learning and 21st Century technology integration.
• Demonstrated leadership skills as a member of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in written form with professional colleagues, staff, students, and parents.
• Excellent oral and written communication and human relation skills.
• Ability to use instructional technology hardware such as document cameras, presenters, and SmartBoards.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively work and communicate with diverse populations.
• Demonstrated proficiency with business technology applications (e.g., Video/Web Conferencing, Microsoft Office Suite—Word, Excel, Outlook, and/or PowerPoint).

Licenses and Certifications

• Upon hire, educator certificate/license issued by Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) required; or
• Upon hire, Occupational Therapist License issued by Board of Occupational Therapy Practice required; or
• Upon hire, Speech and Language Pathologist License issued by Board of Audiologists, Hearing Aid Dispensers, Speech-Language Pathologists & Music Therapists required; and
• Upon hire, Speech and Language Pathology Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC-SLP) Certification issued by American Speech-Hearing-Language Association (ASHA) required.
• Hold or be eligible for a Driver’s License (DL) Class C Non-Commercial issued by Maryland or State of Legal Residence (MVA/DMV).
• Daily access to reliable transportation.

Physical Demands

• Standing: under 1/3 of the time
• Walking: under 1/3 of the time
• Sitting: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Keyboarding: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Hearing: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Tasting: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Driving: between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time
• Lifting and carrying up to 10 pounds: under 1/3 of the time

Work Environment

• Location: Office, school, or similar indoor environment (over 2/3 of the time), outdoor environment (between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time), in the community (homes, businesses, etc.) (between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time).
• Exposure to outdoor weather conditions: under 1/3 of the time.
• Noise level: Quiet (between 1/3 and 2/3 of the time).

Travel Requirements

30% daily travel within the county, including travel between schools.

Schedule

Days Worked: 260
Months Worked: 12
Hours Worked: 7.5 per day