Education Diagnostician

THE POSITION BELOW IS VACANT IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:

POSITION TITLE: Education Diagnostician

LOCATION: St. Croix District

Interested persons should contact: DIVISION OF HUMAN RESOURCES

                                                                careers.stx@vide.vi 

Deadline for applying: Until Filled

Salary:  $44,000-$52,771

Classification: American Federation of Teachers - AFT

DESCRIPTION

Educational and guidance duties with children referred to the Division of Special Education Services with home and school adjustments problems. An employee in this class is responsible for establishing liaison between the community schools, homes and the Special Education program.  This includes locating behavioral and adjustment problems, as well as the needs of exceptional or handicapped children and slow learners; and recommending ways of meeting their problems and needs.  Work is performed in accordance with professional standards and procedures, and under supervision of a Psychiatrist or the Director of Mental Health Services, but an employee is allowed considerable latitude in applying acquired training and experience to assigned duties.  Work is reviewed primarily through conferences and review of reports for compliance with departmental policies, and for adherence to standards and accepted techniques and procedures of the profession.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)

• Receives student referrals and implement the appraisal process;
• Complies with policies established by federal and state law, State Board of Education rules, and local policies in the areas of evaluation, placement, and planning for special education services;
• Collects and organizes relevant assessment data from student’s cumulative folder, classroom teacher(s), principal parents and outside resource personnel;
• Conducts classroom observation and personal interviews as appropriate;
• Participates in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) Team Meeting regarding the interpretation of assessment data and development of IEP for students according to district procedures;
• Provides staff development training in assigned schools to assist school personnel in the identification and understanding of students with disabilities;
• Assists classroom teachers with the implementation of the IEP;
• Consults with parents concerning the educational needs of students as required;
• Compiles, maintains, and files all reports and other documents as required;
• Maintains PEIMS data per assigned schools;
• Complies with all district and school routines and regulations;
• Assesses and responds to needs related to job responsibilities;
• Develops and coordinates a continuing evaluation of the assessment program and implements changes based on the findings;
• Assists in the selection of assessment materials and equipment;
• Consults with parents, teachers, administrators and other relevant individuals to enhance their work with students;
• Develops needed professional skills appropriate to job assignment;
• Demonstrates behavior that is professional, ethical and responsible;
• Articulates the district’s mission and goals in the area of assessment services to the community and solicits its support in realizing the mission;
• Demonstrates awareness of school/community needs and initiates activities to meet those identified needs;
• Demonstrates the use of appropriate and effective techniques for community and parental involvement;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

FACTOR I: KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of diagnostic procedures, education of special education students, human development and learning theories;
• Knowledge of the education laws, policies, rules and regulations of the United States Virgin Islands, as well as within respective schools;
• Knowledge of the theory, principles and techniques of child psychology and psychometrics;
• Knowledge of learning disabilities, and methods of treatment;
• Knowledge of Virgin Islands history and culture, and the ability to integrate and customize where appropriate, folklore themes, historical elements, and geographical factors which influence the lives of students.
• Knowledge of the student learning process;
• Ability to demonstrate organizational, communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to strive to maximize the educational achievement of each student;
• Ability to plan lessons, coordinate resources, and manage time on task;
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete records as required by district policy and administrative regulations;
• Ability to work cooperatively with students, staff, administrators, parents and others;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality about students in accordance with state and federal law as well as district policy;
• Ability to isolate behavioral and adjustment problems in children and adults, and to recommend methods of helping to solve the problems;
• Ability to collaborate with Special Education State office, Principals, Activity Center Heads, Parents, and Community in achieving goals;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all persons contacted during the course of the work;
• Skills in administering and scoring educational and psychological tests, analyzing the test results, and to prepare technical reports of the results.  

FACTOR II: SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

• Works under the direct supervision or assignment of a Director of Special Education;
• Work is controlled by routine review and reporting to or consultation with supervisor;
• Work is reviewed through reports and achievement of objectives.

FACTOR III: GUIDELINES

• Federal safety and departmental guidelines and procedures must be followed;
• Strict adherence to HIPAA law and strict confidentiality guidelines are to be followed;
• Employee is expected to use knowledge acquired through specific instructions, training and experience in making independent decisions.

FACTOR IV: COMPLEXITY

• Requires a combination of job functions using serious judgment to perform a variety of job responsibilities;
• Responsible for ensuring the safety of children on school grounds and the completion of assignments;
• Requires long hours of concentration, patience and flexibility in unexpected arising situations.

FACTOR V: SCOPE AND EFFECT

• Requires responsibility for the testing, diagnosis, objectives planning and implementation of instructional programs for children with educational disabilities;
• Devices or provides input for the instruction of each special needs student supporting, and performing routine work activities;
• Errors at this level will have major repercussions that will be counterproductive to efficient school safety and class room management.

FACTOR VI: PERSONAL CONTACTS AND PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

• Requires personal contact with students, parents, fellow employees, supervisors, administrators, and work unit.
• Purpose of contacts is to obtain, clarify, or give facts or information to aid in the production of accomplishing objectives and daily tasks.

FACTOR VII: PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here 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.

• Must be able to stand for long periods of time with intermittent walking, standing, sitting, bending, use of voice;;
• The ability to exert some muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects;
• The ability to quickly move your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects;
• The employee may lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.

FACTOR VII: WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Requires performing regular job functions in a school working environment;
• Workers are required to adhere to standard safety regulations to ensure personal safety and the safety of others.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Appropriately licensed/ certified by the Virgin Islands Board of Education;
• Masters of Arts in Special Education area with experience providing instruction to students with special needs;
• Three (3) years or more of successful experience in working in an Inclusive Environment;

• Proof of United States citizenship or permanent residency.
• Shall display good moral character through submission of police records and three letters of professional recommendation or submission of a professional rating form provided by the Department.
• Shall submit proof of good health, through submission of a physician’s statement.

Interested persons should apply by visiting our website at www.vide.vi and select the appropriate application for submission procedures.

Send your complete application package to careers.stx@vide.vi for consideration.

Application documents required: (1) Completed Application, (2) Resume, (3) Cover Letter, (4) Official College Transcripts, (5) Certifications, (6) Licenses, (7) Three Letters of Recommendation, (8) Police Background Check and (9) Doctor’s Statement of Good Health.

Travel, transportation and relocation expenses are not authorized for this position.  Any travel, transportation and relocation expenses associated with reporting for duty in this position will be the sole responsibility of the selected candidate.