Carlsbad Unified Schools is hiring: INSTRUCTIONAL ASSISTANT-VISUAL IMPAIRMENT in

This is an open recruitment to establish an eligibility list to fill the current vacant positions for the 2024 - 2025 school year.

The eligibility list will be used to fill any vacancies which may occur within a period of one year, or until depleted. Vacancies in this classification work from 6 hours per day, 8am - 2:30 pm, 204 days per school year at Kelly Elementary.

The recruitment process will consist of a training and experience evaluation and a structured interview.

BASIC FUNCTION:
Under the direction of an assigned administrator, assist certificated staff in reinforcing instruction to individual or small groups of special education students with severe physical and/or cognitive disabilities and visual impairments in a classroom setting, job site and/or community based program; assist students with daily living activities and developing behavioral skills; provide students with access to environmental information usually gained through vision; and perform a variety of instructional support activities to assist students in learning curriculum.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Assist certificated staff by providing benchmark (grade level), strategic, and/or intensive academic support to individuals or small groups of special education students in a classroom setting, job site and/or community based program; confer with certificated staff concerning lesson plans and site materials to meet student needs; assist with the implementation of lesson plans and instructional activities; observe and track academic progress and behavior of students and provide updates to assigned teacher.
2. Facilitate the access of environmental information usually gained through vision that is unavailable or incomplete to visually impaired students; promote the development and/or use of receptive and expressive communication skills by visually impaired students.
3. Adapt instructional materials for use by visually impaired students; transcribe printed materials and oral instruction into Braille; overwrite Braille materials into print; utilize specialized assistive technology equipment and Braille software designed for students with visual impairments.
4. Monitor and assist visually impaired students at varying levels of ability with completing assignments and educational activities; explain and ensure student understanding of classroom assignments and homework instructions; administer and monitor students during tests.
5. Observe and control behavior of visually impaired students in the classroom according to approved procedures; enforce appropriate student behavior and ensure student understanding of classroom rules; monitor students during outdoor activities, recess, eating, field trips, job site visits and various other activities as assigned; assist students by answering questions and by providing proper examples and behavioral guidance.
6. Assist visually impaired students with performing and developing daily living and behavioral skills; assist students with eating activities, including tube feeding as needed; toilet students and change diapers and soiled clothing of students at all age levels (i.e. ages 3 to 22) as needed; assist students with personal hygiene such as bathing and grooming; assist with lifting and moving students.
7. Assist certificated staff in the implementation of Individualized Education Plans (I.E.P.) by assisting visually impaired students with meeting IEP goals and objectives, monitoring student progress, and adapting, accommodating and modifying classroom and homework assignments to meet individual student needs and reinforce learning activities.
8. Accompany and assist visually impaired students in mainstreamed classes as assigned without disrupting classroom activities; take notes for students as needed; escort students to and from buses and classes; push student wheelchairs and assist with walkers; lift students in and out of wheelchairs; and assist students on and off buses.
9. Support certificated staff by assisting visually impaired students with physical therapy, developing motor skills, positioning and related exercises, utilizing adaptive equipment, and developing independent walking and mobility skills; assist and interact with students during physical education activities.
10. Assist visually impaired students in a work transition program with the development of social, vocational, communication, etiquette and job searching skills; provide job coaching; assist students with utilizing public transportation; adapt work/job site to student abilities; ensure employers of student understanding and ability to perform job tasks.
11. Provide classroom support by setting up work areas and displays, and distributing and collecting paper, supplies and materials.
12. Ensure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and procedures; maintain classroom and other assigned areas in a safe, orderly and clean manner.
13. Provide medical assistance and health care to special education students as assigned; administer first aid and CPR according to established procedures as needed; assist students with other health care activities as required.
14. Assist students with operating computers and utilizing software and internet applications.
15. Perform a variety of clerical duties in support of classroom activities such as preparing, typing, duplicating and filing instructional materials, scoring student tests and assignments, recording grades and taking and recording attendance, and maintaining various records related to student progress reports, IEP goals, and behavioral tracking; assist with scheduling meetings, appointments and services as assigned.
16. Attend and participate in various meetings, conferences and in-services as assigned.

OTHER DUTIES:

Perform related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

1. Methods of supporting a visually impaired student in an educational environment.
2. Basic Braille literary code and transcription methods.
3. Mathematics, language arts and other academic subjects.
4. Methods of addressing and correcting student behavior.
5. Guidance principles and practices related to instruction for students with special education needs.
6. Problems and concerns of students with special needs.
7. Safe practices in classroom activities.
8. Subjects taught in District elementary or secondary schools.
9. Basic instructional methods and techniques.
10. Classroom procedures and appropriate student conduct.
11. Operation of standard office and classroom equipment including a computer and assigned software.
12. Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
13. Record-keeping and filing techniques.
14. First aid and CPR procedures.

ABILITY TO:

1. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
2. Develop and maintain a trusting and interactive relationship with students.
3. Take initiative in beginning tasks and following them through to completion.
4. Use critical thinking and innovation to solve problems.
5. Handle stressful situations with tact and professionalism.
6. Work interactively as a team member.
7. Adapt to a variety of situations and environments.
8. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others.
9. Demonstrate an understanding, patient and receptive attitude toward special education students.
10. Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
11. Operate standard office and classroom equipment including a computer and assigned software.
12. Lift and carry students as assigned by position.
13. Demonstrate ability to be dependable.

EDUCATION: Completed at least 48 semester units of study at an institution of higher education at an accredited college OR Obtained an associate's (or higher) degree OR Met (passed) an assessment that demonstrates knowledge of and the ability to assist in teaching reading, writing, and mathematics OR reading, writing, and mathematics readiness.

EXPERIENCE: Six months of experience providing academic or similar support to individuals with severe visual impairments; experience assisting students with cognitive and/or physical disabilities is desirable.

LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Valid First Aid and CPR Certificate issued by an authorized agency.

ENVIRONMENT:

Classroom and outdoor school environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

1. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate standard office and classroom equipment.
2. Sitting or standing for extended periods of time.
3. Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching to assist students.
4. Seeing to read a variety of materials and monitor student activities.
5. Hearing and speaking to exchange information.
6. Lifting and carrying students as assigned by the position.
7. Reaching overhead, above the shoulders and horizontally.
8. Pushing and pulling wheelchairs and other related assistive devices.

HAZARDS:

1. Exposure to bodily fluids, blood borne pathogens and infectious diseases.
2. Contact with dissatisfied or abusive individuals.

Candidates who meet the minimum requirements, as demonstrated in their application materials, will be required to successfully complete a competitive testing process to measure the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the essential functions of the job, which may consist of a written examination, a training and experience evaluation, a performance examination, and/or structured oral interviews. The candidates achieving the top three ranks of the appropriate eligibility list will be referred for a final selection interview. The Eligibility List resulting from this examination may be used to fill vacancies in related job classifications for which no Eligibility List exists (Ed Code 45272).

Carlsbad Unified School District is an Equal Opportunity Employer