Learning Specialist
1.0 FTE for 191 Days
Palisades World Language School
*Bilingual Spanish or Mandarin Preferred*
A Bachelor’s degree in Special Education is required, a Master’s degree is preferred. A valid Oregon teacher license with necessary endorsements is required. A minimum of three years of successful teaching experience with elementary special needs students is preferred.
JOB SUMMARY
Position provides instructional activities and lessons to a wide variety of special needs students from kindergarten through grade 12 whose education needs are primarily the result of significant social, emotional and behavioral challenges. Assesses each student’s individual academic and behavioral needs, individualizes the regular K-12 curriculum to each student and develops IEPs as necessary. Activities and lessons reflect state standards, district curricula, lesson objectives, student academic achievement goals, behavior plans, 504 plans and/or IEPs. Maintains a safe and productive classroom/resource room environment. Consults with district behavioral staff and outside agencies to support achievement of home, school and treatment goals. Duties are performed under risk of infection and personal injury.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties of this position include the following tasks. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned at any time.
Presents lessons and activities, individually and in groups, using a variety of visual and auditory methods and kinetic activities. Uses electronic devices and media is appropriate based upon student needs, abilities and maturity levels.
Regularly uses oral, written and electronic communications to other staff members, administrators, students and parents/guardians regarding student behavior and student progress toward individual education objectives/goals. Communicates with outside agencies as necessary and as part of due process hearing procedures.
Trains and monitors education paraprofessionals (IAs/EAs) regarding student academic and behavioral goals, daily classroom activities, and specific recordkeeping requirements. Schedules IAs/EAs.
Observes, evaluates and refers students who need additional services and support.
Adapts instructional activities and lessons for students with Section 504 plans, behavior plans and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs).
Demonstrates knowledge and skill in applying conflict management and resolution techniques.
Participates in screening and assessing students for special needs eligibility, services and placement in various district programs.
Confers with classroom teachers and education paraprofessionals and provides information and appropriate instructional materials, as needed or requested.
Schedules eligible students for specially-designed instruction.
Designs and implements individual Behavioral Support Plans.
Writes Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) in conjunction with IEP teams.
Monitors individual student progress towards IEP goals and requirements.
Maintains all federal, state and district-required records and reports and ensures records and reports are accurate and contain required content.
Consults with classroom teachers and IAs/EAs to provide assistance for students completing modified assignments or other accommodations for high school academic work.
Help students identify realistic academic, transition and vocational goals.
Confers with guidance counselors and classroom teachers to monitor individual student credits earned towards graduation.
Works in professional collaborative groups with other teachers on issues related to implementing effective content instruction and assessment.
Communicates regularly with student and parents/guardians about academic performance.
Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of all district policies and procedures.
Maintains consistent, daily and punctual attendance.
NON-ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Non-essential duties of this position include the following tasks. Employees in this position perform some or all of these tasks. Other duties may be assigned at any time.
Operates various office equipment including audio visual equipment/devices, telephones and photocopy machines.
Attends in-service trainings, staff meetings and other meetings including SET and IEP meetings, as assigned. Attends professional growth activities related to job responsibilities.
Serves on building and district committees and councils as assigned.
Communicates information about district, school and/or departmental policies and procedures to students, staff, parents and patrons.
Serves as liaison with community agencies that may provide ancillary services.
Supervises students on school grounds, on field trips and at various school functions.
Reports issues to the principal and the appropriate authorities including safety, sanitary and fire hazards, vandalism, thefts and errant wildlife.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Consistently follows all applicable federal and state laws and all district policies, rules and supervisor directions.
Observes ergonomics of sedentary office work including placement of computers and monitors, and sitting alignment.
Observes proper lifting techniques and other strategies to avoid accidents and personal injury while performing job duties.
Performs other duties as assigned.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
All school employees have some responsibility for supervising students and assisting in maintaining a safe environment.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience: A Bachelor’s degree in Special Education is required, a Master’s degree is preferred. A valid Oregon teacher license with necessary endorsements is required. A minimum of three years of successful teaching experience with elementary and junior high special needs students is preferred.
Interpersonal Skills: Works well with others from diverse backgrounds. Focuses on solving conflict, maintaining confidentiality, listening to others, keeping emotions under control, remaining open to others’ ideas and contributing to building a positive team spirit. Demonstrates the ability to remain calm and professional in an environment with frequent interruptions. Interacts with staff and students appropriately.
Language Skills: Ability to communicate in English fluently both verbally and in writing, including proficiency in spelling and grammar. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from students, parents, staff, regulatory agencies, vendors and members of the community. Ability to read and interpret documents including governmental regulations, safety rules and operating and maintenance instructions/ instruction manuals. Ability to prepare routine reports and correspondence with high degrees of accuracy and professionalism.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals. Ability to calculate rates, ratios, percentages and proportions. Ability to read and interpret various charts, bar graphs and similar visual data depictions.
Reasoning Ability: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in oral, schedule or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving more than one variable.
Computer Skills: Ability to effectively use office computers and internet access for email, research, word processing, database manipulation and general Office 365 applications (Excel, MS Word, PowerPoint and Outlook Express).
Other Skills and Abilities: Ability to exercise good judgment and work effectively in a dynamic environment.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: A valid Oregon Driver’s License is required. Must have or able to obtain various certificates, licenses and/or registrations as required by federal, state or local law(s) and/or determined by the district.
PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS
The physical expectations described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
When performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, see, or hear. The employee is frequently required to walk stand, sit, use fingers and hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms and move around inside and outside of buildings. The employee is occasionally required to, push, pull, bend, stoop, crawl, kneel and crouch. The employee must lift and/or move up to 35lbs. The employee may occasionally climb stairs or ladders. The employee must have, with or without vision correction, close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
The employee must regularly use approved restraint and de-escalation procedures with students. The employee must occasionally move quickly and sometimes run to keep students safe and avoid injuries. The employee must regularly lift students up to 35 pounds and lift, with assistance, students weighing up to 150 pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The work environment is a standard classroom or resource room setting. The noise level of the work environment is usually low to moderate, but occasionally high depending upon the location, the student population and current activities. The employee occasionally will be required to supervise students during arrival/departure. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions and outdoor weather conditions, including seasonal heat and cold. The employee may occasionally be exposed to contagious diseases, bodily fluids and blood-borne pathogens.
The employee must occasionally implement crisis prevention/intervention protocols which involve risk of personal injury from students.
NOTE: This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. The school district may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Lake Oswego School District is committed to being an antiracist, Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We are committed to ensuring diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment, selection, and employment without regard to race, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, religion, veteran or military status, or any other category protected under the law. LOSD is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment procedures for individuals experiencing a disability. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 503-534-2000. Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.
Lake Oswego School District is a Drug-Free/Smoke-Free Workplace
