Assistive Technology & Augmentative Alternative Communication Specialist, Special Education, LEEP
Location: Various locations in Clackamas County. Site to be determined by the needs of the program.
Schedule: 8 hours per day/ 5 days per week/ 190 days a week
Clackamas ESD strives to infuse equity in all our programs and bodies of work by maintaining an inclusive, barrier-free environment in which everyone participates and fully benefits.
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications as described in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be the one who comes from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of our qualifications described. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of this position, or how this would be determined, please feel free to contact Human Resources at hr@clackesd.org to discuss your application.
Find Your "Why" with Clackamas ESD
At Clackamas Education Service District, our mission is to lead, serve and innovate for learning. Clackamas ESD provides services in early learning, special education, technology and teacher/staff support to Clackamas County school districts. We ensure students and families in all of our communities — big and small — have access to equitable education services. Learn more.
About the Program:
Our Life Enrichment Education Program (LEEP) provides a comprehensive education for students grades kindergarten through transition with complex disabilities and communication needs. Through the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process, LEEP supports students to access academic, social-emotional, communication and life skills curriculum and instruction. Multidisciplinary classroom teams include special education teachers, educational assistants, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, behavior specialists, nurses, adaptive physical education teachers and others as needed. The program focuses on supporting students to develop knowledge and skills that increase decision making, self-advocacy, independence and access to a full life. LEEP is accessed through the student’s local school district and placement is made through the IEP process.
About this Position:
The LEEP Assistive Technology & Augmentative Alternative Communication (AT/AAC) Specialist works to develop and maintain a process for the evaluation, provision, and implementation of Assistive Technology (AT) and Augmentative Alternative Communication (AAC) devices and services. The AT/AAC Specialist will work in a multidisciplinary team to provide comprehensive support to students, families, caregivers, and classroom teams on the use of AT/AAC to provide access to a full life across all environments. The AT/AAC Specialist will design and implement professional development to families and caregivers, program staff, district partners, and community partners to increase knowledge and skills related to AT/ACC statute, evaluation, device acquisition, and implementation that create independence and access across all environments.
The mission of the Assistive Technology Team is to provide best practice to support the success of learners in our district according to their IEP goals. Their services may include AT (Assistive Technology) and AAC (Augmentative and Assistive Communication) systems and strategies, training and support to educational teams.
Essential Functions:
Provide comprehensive AAC evaluation, device recommendation(s), implementation of a comprehensive communication system, and training to students, family and caregivers, and classroom teams.
Support the implementation of a Universal Design for Learning framework that embeds AT in its structure.
Lead the development of and use the Student Environment Tasks and Tools (SETT) or like process to coordinate the delivery of AT/AAC services across all environments for students, families and caregivers, and district partners.
Guide the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) team to develop goals that incorporate AT.
Prepare and conduct professional development that uses the principles of adult learning related to AT devices and services; appropriate teaching strategies; and/or other accommodations and modifications.
Identify, design, construct, and/or provide purchasing information about appropriate AT devices.
Provide coaching and mentoring to program staff, parents and caregivers, and district partners to ensure successful adoption of new device/strategy and to generate solutions to barriers in implementation.
Research funding opportunities and referral sources.
Provide guidance and leadership to classrooms, parents and caregivers, and district partners to engineer environments to promote universal access.
Provide guidance and leadership in the development of program inventory and purchasing.
Minimum Qualifications:
Current Oregon Teaching License with appropriate special education endorsement, Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist, or Licensed Occupational Therapist.
One year experience fulfilling the duties of an AT/AAC Specialist.
Demonstrated ability to design and provide staff development to educators utilizing effective instructional strategies for adult learners.
Demonstrated ability to utilize collaborative consultation skills that identify and focus on meeting the needs of the student.
Demonstrated ability to facilitate groups in meetings and workshop settings.
Knowledge and skills to provide culturally competent services.
Ability to acquire and maintain a valid first aid and CPR card.
Demonstrated ability to effectively engage in a variety of team-based service delivery, planning, decision making, and problem solving.
Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a transdisciplinary team.
Demonstrated ability to compose and produce concise professional documents.
Written and oral communication skills sufficient to perform essential job functions.
Physical and mental attributes sufficient to perform essential functions.
Preferred Qualifications:
SLP licensure
Three years experience fulfilling the duties of an AT/AAC specialist
Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) Certification
Salary: Salary based on experience. See the Licensed Salary Schedule for 2024-2025.
Benefits:
Full medical, dental, and vision insurance with generous district-paid contribution (most employees pay $0 out of pocket to maintain health insurance coverage)
Retirement through the Oregon Public Retirement System (PERS) includes pension and individual account program
Paid time off, including paid holidays, sick leave, and other personal leave
Opportunities to grow with us with generous professional development expense reimbursements
Read more about our benefits here
Retirement Plan Contributions:
Clackamas ESD employees working 600 or more hours in a calendar year are eligible for the Oregon Public Employee Retirement, or PERS. There are two components to PERS, including the pension, which is primarily funded by CESD and The Individual Account Program, or IAP, which is funded by a six-percent deduction from your paycheck. If you are new to PERS, your PERS deduction will begin automatically after a six-month waiting period.
How to Apply:
Submit your application at https://www.applitrack.com/clackesd/onlineapp/. Applications for this position must be submitted by 11:59 PM on the listed closing date and must include:
Cover Letter
Resume
Completed application form
Clackamas Education Service District is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We respect and seek to empower each individual and support the diverse cultures, perspectives, skills and experiences within our workforce along with the students and families that we serve.
Clackamas ESD policy provides veterans and disabled veterans with preference as required by law.
