Job Summary:

A Special Education Diagnostic Teacher's role is provide academic/achievement testing to children ages 6-21 and collaborate with school staff, parents and outside agencies as appropriate. Work with many different types of children, from those who are physically disabled or sensory impaired to those with speech difficulties or autism. Function as a member of the multi-disciplinary team to determine the student’s eligibility for special services, appropriate programming, and on-going progress. Implement all procedures to meet compliance standards as outlined in the Vermont State Regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  Other duties may be assigned.

General:

• Screen and evaluate referred children including selecting appropriate instruments, administering tests, observations, and writing reports which state the evaluation findings and provide for educational program recommendations.
• Participate as Team Leader and a member of the multi-disciplinary team and member of the individualized education program (IEP) committee contributing evaluation findings and collaborating on the child’s educational plan.
• Possible collaborative consultation and documentation of results including assisting basic education staff with suggestions and implementation of EST accommodations, pre-referral intervention strategies, and providing recommendations and modifications to assist basic education staff in working with special education students in the classroom setting.
• Consult with parents, teachers, and other appropriate staff regarding the child’s program and any adaptations/materials needed to facilitate improved performance in the classroom or at home.
• Develop and maintain appropriate data on students to document current levels of performance and other pertinent information. Re-evaluate, as appropriate, to determine extent of progress.
• Establish and monitor the necessary caseloads, procedures, and resources to manage school evaluation services to students.
• Adhere to the ethical standards and codes of the profession and to the established rules, regulations, and laws governing special education programs.

Professional Growth and Responsibilities:

• Supports and implements District policies, regulations, procedures, and administrative directives; demonstrates loyalty to the District and other administrators. Supports and follows the policies and procedures of the school districts served.
• Submits records, reports and assignments promptly and efficiently.
• Deals with obstacles and constraints positively.
• Demonstrates ability to adjust to and use new approaches in the performance of his/her duties.
• Seeks and takes advantage of opportunities for professional growth.
• Maintains dress and appearance appropriate to a professional office setting.

Additionally, the Special Education Diagnostic Teacher would:

• Establishes and maintains a safe, orderly, and child centered environment
• Perform other duties normally required to be performed by certificated employees as adjunct to the regular teaching assignment
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with administrators, teachers, district, classified personnel
• Exercise initiative and possess mature judgment
• Communicate effectively both orally and in written form; facilitate problem solving with diverse groups of educators

Supervision Received: Reports to, receives daily work assignments, and is evaluated by the Principal.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each job function in an efficient and compliant manner. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge, skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job functions.

• Education and Experience: A/B.S degree in Special Education from an accredited institution or related field of teaching (Master’s degree may be preferred in some cases), with a Vermont teaching endorsement. State certification/licensure in Special Education. Knowledge of special education laws and regulations

1. Language Skills: Ability to read and write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals.
2. Mathematical Skills: Good basic mathematical skills including the ability to calculate percentages, proportions, averages, and other concepts of basic algebra. 
3. Reasoning Ability/Mental Requirements: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
4. Communication & Interpersonal Skills:  Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively resolve conflicts; to communicate courteously, efficiently and effectively with a variety of individuals, including students, faculty, administrators, parents, and representatives of outside organizations.
5. Other Skills and Abilities:

• 1. Valid driver’s license.
• 2. Attention to detail is essential.
• 3. Patience, empathy, and a passion for working with students with diverse needs.
• 4. Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job in accordance with federal and state federal law and regulations, and Springfield School District policy and procedures is required.
• 5. Strong organizational skills are essential.
• 6. Strong written, verbal and interpersonal skills are essential.
• 7. Follow through and follow-up skills are essential.
• 8. Operating knowledge of and experience with typical office equipment, including: telephones, copier, scanner, printer, calculator, postage meter and fax machine is essential.
• 9. Working knowledge of personal computer applications including Microsoft Office Windows Suite and Google Suite.

Competencies. The individual in this position must possess the following:

1. Attention to Detail: being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
2. Cooperation: being pleasant on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
3. Concern for Others: being sensitive to others’ needs and feelings and understanding on the job.

Patience, empathy, and a passion for working with students with diverse needs.

1. Dependability: being reliable, punctual, and responsible and fulfilling obligations.
2. Stress Tolerance: accepting feedback from your supervisor and colleagues as well as, dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Physical effort and stress: Employee must have the physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions in addition to the following (Frequency Codes described below):

Working Conditions/Environmental Factors: All conditions common to an education environment, but not limited to, the following (Frequency Codes described in table below.) Work is normally performed in a climate controlled office/ building environment, with limited exposure to extreme heat/cold, poor ventilation, fumes, and gasses. No known environmental hazards are encountered in normal performance of job duties.

Definitions - Physical Demands

• Sitting: remaining in a seated position
• Standing: remaining on one's feet in an upright position at a workstation without moving about
• Walking: Moving about on foot
• Seeing: Perceiving with the eye
• Hearing: Perceiving or listening to sound by ear
• Talking: Articulating, speaking or discussing using spoken words
• Dexterity: Skill in the use of hands and fingers
• Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling)
• Carrying: Transporting an object, usually holding it in the hands or arms or on the shoulder
• Reaching: Extending the hands and arms in any direction
• Handling: Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or working with hands

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Disclaimers: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to perform other related duties as assigned, to ensure workload coverage. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description does NOT constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee, and is subject to change by the employer as the organizational needs and requirements of the job change.

The use of itemized lists are for organizational purposes only and do not assign levels of importance. The job specification requirements stated are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job successfully. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may substitute for the above so that the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.