POSITION SUMMARY:
The Instructional
Specialist for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program is responsible for the
development, coordination and implementation of the county-wide Deaf/Hard of
Hearing services and program. The
responsibilities of the position include collaboration with school and
administrative personnel for program planning and design, recruitment and
retention of staff, staffing assignments, and professional development. Observation of teachers may be required. The Instructional Specialist will ensure the
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Program is in compliance with federal, state and local
mandates.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Provide
instructional and compliance support for both program and itinerant teachers of
the hearing impaired;
Collaborate
with personnel in the Human Resources department regarding the hiring of
teachers of the hearing impaired, sign language interpreters, paraprofessionals
and dedicated aides;
Develop
the request for bid for sign language interpreting contracts and collaborate
with Purchasing in the selection of vendors for the contract;
Provide
general oversight of the implementation of the sign language interpreting
contract, including approval of invoices for services provided to students;
Provide
coordination and general oversight for services to students receiving itinerant
level of service from itinerant teachers including assignment of caseloads;
Provide
professional development regarding hearing impairment to general and special
educators regarding the needs of hearing impaired students;
Provide
professional development in the area of instruction hearing impairment for
teachers of the hearing impairment;
Identify
and procure resources needed by teachers of the hearing impaired;
Assess
the needs of hearing impaired students to facilitate IEP development and
services needed for individual hearing impaired students;
Conduct
staff observations and make recommendations, as needed;
Identify
and promote best practices relative to the provision of services for hearing
impaired students;
Participates
in the MD State Steering Committee for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Students;
Collaborates
with the MD School for the Deaf and other agencies that provide services to
students with reside within Prince George’s County; and
Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Knowledge
of curriculum, including the Common Core Curriculum, grades 1-12;
Knowledge
of the instructional needs and instructional methodology needed to meet the
needs of hearing impaired students, including best practices and current
trends;
Knowledge
of options for meeting the needs of hearing impaired students in the least
restrictive environment;
Excellent
oral and written communication skills;
Demonstrated
leadership abilities;
Ability
to collaborate effectively with IEP teams, other school staff, administration
and providers from other service agencies; and
Knowledge
of IDEA and COMAR regulations pertinent to hearing impaired students.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Master’s
degree from an accredited college or university in Deaf Education or related
area; with five (5) or more years of
full time experience meeting the educational and communication needs of hearing
impaired students.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Holds a Maryland
State Advanced Professional Certificate required, in Hearing Impaired or
related field, with Administration I preferred; must complete Administration I
within two years of being hired required.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
None.