Special Instructor
The University of Southern Mississippi is currently accepting applications for the position of Special Instructor.
Position Details
Location
Gulf Park
730 East Beach Boulevard
Long Beach, Mississippi, 39560
United States
Division
School of Speech and Hearing Sciences
Position Type
Staff
Employment Status
Full Time
Grant Funded
Yes
Posting Close Date
July 9, 2024
Job Summary
This position is housed with The Children's Center for Communication andDevelopment. The special instructor (SI) would conduct diagnostic assessments aspart of the transdisciplinary team, provide center based, home-based, and/orcommunity based educational services. The SI will maintain a caseload of 5-25children, as dictated by the need and frequency of service provision and willprovide training to parents/caregivers regularly as a part of intervention, alongwith supervision of pre-professional students. Additionally, the position willprovide service coordination through the state's early intervention program,First Steps, for children enrolled in the program with collaboration from theinterdisciplinary team of specialists at the Center.
Primary Duties andResponsibilities

1. Provides intervention for 5-25 infant to preschool-aged children withmoderate-severe communication and developmental disabilities in a classroomand/or home/community based settings while working with multiple disciplinesand supporting families.
2. Conducts comprehensive assessments, participates in transdisciplinary team,and completes reports with educational recommendations andaccommodations/modifications. Assists with Child Find activities for bothIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) law for Part C and Part B.
3. Maintains appropriate documentation for both Mississippi Department ofHealth and Mississippi Department of Education eligibility rulings and federaland state guidelines for students with disabilities in need of intervention. Developsand supports Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and Individualized FamilyService Plans (IFSPs) through First Steps for children enrolled.
4. Conducts conferences, workshops, and trainings with colleagues, universitystudents and parents/guardians of children with disabilities or those at risk(e.g., infants at the neonatal intensive care unit follow up clinic).
5. Coordinates referral,evaluation/assessment, Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) developmentand maintenance, provision of services, and transition to school district,meeting all federal indicators for successful provision of services underIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C for children agesbirth to 3 years.
6. Performsother duties as assigned.

Minimum Education:
Bachelor'sdegree or higher specific to early childhood education or special education froman accredited college or university and three years' experience working withyoung children and families.
MinimumExperience:
Three-yearminimum experience
PreferredQualifications:
Pediatric,transdisciplinary experience
Certificates,Licenses and Registrations: Must hold State certification from theMississippi Department of Education.
Knowledge,Skills, and Abilities (KSA):

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, with knowledge of electronic health record system.
• Skilled in communication and consistent follow-up.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and respect regarding sensitive information Ability to interpret and disseminate information from federal and state policies and code for the provision of service coordination and direct services under the IDEA law Part C.
• Skilled in creating organizational systems and following procedures.
• Knowledge of parent communication and coaching.

About The University of Southern Mississippi
Since our founding in 1910, The University of SouthernMississippi has remained dedicated to preparingstudents for success. We deliver programs to more than 13,000 studentsin Hattiesburg and Long Beach, at teaching and research sites across theMississippi Gulf Coast, as well as online. Weare a community-engaged Carnegie R1 university, earning distinction as one ofthe nation's leading research institutions.
Southern Miss is known for pioneering work inpolymer science, ocean science, spectator sports safety and security, and bringinglanguage to children with communication disorders. We are also a nationalleader in a broad range of disciplines, including cybersecurity, hydrography,nutrition, aquaculture, kinesiology, and economic development, among others.
We produce graduates ready to enterfields that are leading the way in emerging technologies through programs suchas computer engineering, information technology, and ocean engineering. We're developing the next generation ofbusiness leaders, while also responding to critical workforce shortages byproducing skilled professionals in education and nursing. With a tradition ofexcellence in the arts, we are one of only 36 public institutions in the nationaccredited in four major areas of the arts. Home to the Golden Eagles, ourstudent-athletes compete in 17 NCAA Division I sports. With a culture marked by passion andpersistence, Southern Miss is delivering graduates who are ready for life. For more information, visit www.usm.edu.
As an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer/Americans with Disabilities Act institution, The University of Southern Mississippi encourages minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities to apply.