ANTICIPATED VACANCY
POSITION: PARAEDUCATOR – INTERPRETER (Deaf and Hard of Hearing)
SPECIAL EDUCATION – SEVERE (DO)

TRANSFER INFORMATION: Employees who wish to transfer to any school in the District are requested to submit a District Classified Transfer Request to the Personnel Services Office by the deadline date for application listed on this announcement. Transfer requests for school locations other than the one announced may be considered that in the event an opening is created at the desired school in the process of filling this announced vacancy.

DEFINITION: Under the general supervision of a certificated administrator and direction of a teacher, to act as the communicator between pupil and teacher when pupil uses manual communication; to assist teacher in determining where special education pupils in integrated classes need help; to provide assistance through tutoring, guidance or arranging for other resources; to assist the teacher in determining needs of hearing impaired pupils; to interpret test responses; recitations and reports into or from manual communications; to act as a paraprofessional assistant to a teacher in performing assigned tasks.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This class is distinguished from the class of Paraeducator – Translator by the responsibility for interpreting subject matter and educational concepts to hearing impaired pupils and, in turn, interpreting to the teacher the pupil’s understanding of educational concepts and primary information for one pupil or for a small group of pupils in a regular or mixed classroom setting.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: May include, but are not limited to, the following:
Provides interpreter services for pupils in integrated classes;
Interprets a wide variety of subject matter and instructional materials into sign language for a teacher who does not sign;
Interprets between pupils and teacher to compensate for differences in communication abilities;
Interprets from sign to voice (reverse interprets) manual language so it is comprehensible to others in the classroom;
Tutors pupils in academic and elective subjects;
Finds out from specialists what outside resources are available to assist the student for special needs;
Assists in arranging and conducting special activities;
Assists teachers with classroom activities for pupils;
Attends inservice and staff meetings as required;
Assists with lifting pupils in and out of wheelchairs;
Assists teacher in establishing and maintaining a clean, safe, and pleasant classroom and learning environment;
Assists teachers in implementing the division course of study through individual and group instruction;
Assists with supervision of classroom and outdoor playground to direct pupils with safe activities and relationships;
Performs routine clerical tasks, operates duplicating machines, assembles materials for classroom projects, prepares material and master, and performs incidental typing tasks;
Confers on a regular basis with a teacher in regard to planning and scheduling activities, instructional goals and objectives, student progress and pertinent health or behavior problems;
May participate as a member of the appropriate team or committee to assist staff with developing and implementing individual or site crisis management plans;
Assists teachers with implementation of pupil’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) through instruction in a wide variety of activities, such as nature study, playing games, singing, dancing, and sports;
May administer first aid;
Under the direction of the school administrator and the procedure observed by a certificated school staff member, assists pupils with taking medication;
Maintains confidentiality of pupil records in accordance with legal requirements and policies;
Acts as a communicator between learner and teacher when necessary and between pupil and peers as appropriate;
Consults with integrated class teachers to determine where pupils need special help and provide the help through tutoring;
Act as a liaison between Administration, staff of the Hearing Impaired Program, and the regular classroom teachers;
Performs related duties as assigned;

over
QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of: Basic characteristics of human behavior; basic communication skills; personal hygiene practices; practical learning patterns and behavior; reading, speaking, and writing in English; elementary concepts of child development and behavior; basic math skills; English grammar and composition; high school academic courses.

Ability to:
Maintain emotional control under difficult situations;
Interpret to pupils written and verbal educational materials through sign language;
Interpret manual communication into oral English;
Recognize and report safety hazards;
Motivate pupils to participate in learning activities;
Develop or modify instructions and instructional materials to meet needs of special pupils;
Instruct pupils by observing and using the methods of teachers and resource persons;
Learn laws, rules, practices and procedures related to the education program to be assigned;
Perform routine clerical work such as incidental typing, sorting, measuring, cutting, filing, and duplicating;
Communicate with pupils and staff and motivate pupils to participate in learning activities;
Learn to operate teaching and office machines, computers, and other devices which aid the pupil or the instructional program;
Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the pupils and staff.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:
Any combination of education and experience that could likely provide the required knowledge and abilities would be qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: Two years of paid experience working with people who can communicate or be communicated with only by manual communication, one year of which must have been in working with children,
AND
Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent. Two years (60 units) of college and the successful completion of an approved course in manual communications may substitute for the year of experience working with children. The 60 units of college should include coursework directly related to the job such as child psychology, or child growth and development.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:
Knowledge of all modes of sign language including American Sign Language and Signed Exact English is required. Some positions in this classification may require the availability of private transportation. Some positions may require the ability to lift or move pupils who weigh up to 50 pounds. The employee may be required to use a multi-person lift or learn the use of mechanical lifting equipment to lift or move pupils who may weigh in excess of 50 pounds, or a pupil of any weight who may present other lifting problems. Positions in this classification may occasionally be assigned any duties normally assigned from the classification specification for Paraeducator – Special Education – Severe.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES:
Visual ability to read handwritten or typed documents, and the display screen of various office equipment and machines. Able to conduct verbal conversation in English, and other designated language. Able to hear normal range verbal conversation (approximately 60 decibels). Able to sit, stand, stoop, kneel, bend and walk. Able to sit for sustained periods of time. Able to kneel or squat for extended periods of time. Able to climb slopes, stairs, steps, ramps and ladders. Able to lift up to 60 pounds frequently, and 70 pounds occasionally. Able to carry up to 60 pounds frequently, and 70 pounds occasionally. Able to push and pull objects weighing up to 60 pounds. Able to sustain strenuous manual labor for 8 hours. Able to exhibit full range of motion for shoulder external rotation and internal rotation. Able to exhibit full range of motion for shoulder abduction and adduction. Able to exhibit full range of motion for elbow flexion and extension. Able to exhibit full range of motion for shoulder extension and flexion. Able to exhibit full range of motion for back lateral flexion. Able to exhibit full range of motion for hip flexion and extension. Able to exhibit full range of motion for knee flexion. Able to demonstrate manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and other classroom equipment in a safe and efficient manner. Able to work with cleaning solutions, disinfectants and sanitizers in a safe and effective manner without allergic reaction. Able to demonstrate manual dexterity necessary to assist students with buttoning clothing and eating, operate a computer or assist staff with catherization and toileting procedures. Able to operate a motor vehicle in a safe and effective manner.

REQUIRED TO: Possess a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license, proper insurance and maintain a driving record satisfactory to the District's insurance company. Achieve and maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications and any other certifications pertaining to this position. Pass a required preemployment physical examination and drug test regarding this position. Submit to fingerprint testing through the California Bureau of Justice and/or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.