Braille Transcriber

1 hour per day/9 months per year

We appreciate your interest in employment with Vancouver Public Schools (VPS). All applications are considered and reviewed. The most qualified and competitive applicant(s) that possess directly related experience and expertise, training, and education may be invited to participate in the interview/selection process. As part of the selection process, the District conducts confidential reference checks to include former and present employers and also requires a criminal background investigation. Unfortunately, due to the number of applications received, not all applicants will receive an interview.

Résumés should include education, relevant experience (including current position), and skills which highlight the qualifications of the position to which a person is applying.

All district employees are encouraged to review their personnel file periodically to ensure that their file includes current and relevant documentation that supports their education, experience, training, etc., as it relates to qualifications described on job postings.

Failure to submit a full application package will result in disqualification.

Internal applicants must have official transcripts confirm education on file or included with the application.

External applicants must include official transcripts or ETS Parapro Assessment to confirm education with application.

Qualifications:

• Documentation verifying a high school diploma or GED AND
• One of the following: official transcripts verifying an Associate’s Degree (90 quarter, 60 semester) OR 72 quarter or 48 semester credits from an accredited university, college, community college or business school; OR ETS ParaPro Assessment result of 461 or higher
• Completion of the National Literary Braille Competency Test, Braille Literary Usage Exam or other Braille competency test approved for by the Washington State Board of Education preferred
• Successful experience as part of an educational team preferred
• Experience which demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills and skills in working effectively in a team environment, providing support to achieve the desired goal(s) for the classroom and/or program area
• Possess excellent problem solving, analytical, and conflict resolution skills and ability to think quickly

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to attend mandatory training, at district expense, and take an exam approved by the Washington State Board of Education (e.g. Braille Literary Usage Exam) to demonstrate fluency and certification in Grade II Literacy Braille
• Ability to work well as a team with student and teacher in a classroom situation
• Ability to maintain and establish effective working relationship with teachers, parents and administrators
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to participate in activities & responsibilities assigned by teacher
• Ability to use computer programs to support the needs of the visually impaired student
• Demonstrated ability in effectively operating a Braille writer preferred, with keyboarding skills at 40 words per minute (wpm) keyboard, and other office machines and equipment
• Demonstrated ability to work with student records and data collection
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and work effectively under pressure
• Demonstrated knowledge of basic child growth and development
• Demonstrated knowledge of effective student behavioral management strategies and techniques
• Must be willing to be reassigned with little or no notice due to nature of work and student schedules
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office ‘07

Other Requirements:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to independently and safely escort students around the school building, grounds, and in the community
• Ability to observe the behavior of students, both visually and by listening, and communicate those observations with other appropriate service providers
• Ability to adapt to changing technology
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Regular attendance to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the position to achieve program requirements

Essential Functions:

Assists classroom teachers, school staff and specialists to appropriately accommodate blind or visually impaired students in their school setting

• Treats co-workers, supervisors, students, parents and others with dignity and respect at all times
• Serves as a positive role model for students, and practice the behaviors that are expected of our students
• Works in a flexible and cooperative manner
• Demonstrates and models appropriate ways to accommodate students
• Observes performance of students
• Assists with assessments to monitor areas of needs and concerns and reports to classroom teacher and TVI
• Shares pertinent information with office personnel and other staff who will be interacting with blind and visually impaired students
• Fosters students’ independence through instruction in compensatory skills, including non-academic areas such as self-help, leisure activities, etc
• Accompanies visually impaired students on field trips, if necessary, to ensure the safety of the students and to help the student benefit from the experience
• Maintains accurate student data for record and file management

Upon required training and/or certification,will be responsible for the following:

Prepares and adapts materials in support of blind or visually impaired students

• Transcribes instructions, tests, study materials maps, textbooks, charts and other instructional materials into Braille using a Brailler, slate and stylus, or appropriate computer program
• Prepares a variety of other tactile and/or enlarged materials for students’ use
• Translates (interlines) Braille print for the benefit of classroom teacher, parents, specialists, and others
• Types instructional materials, lessons, and worksheets in large print type for low vision students
• Operates an enlarging copying machine in copying large print material and a thermoform machine in duplicating Braille material
• Consults with classroom teacher on materials and determines appropriate adaptations for individual students

Assists Teacher of Visually Impaired (TVI) and/or classroom teacher by providing the students with instruction in Braille code, in the use of Braille write, slated and stylus, computer and other assistive technology, and in support of Orientation and Mobility (O&M) instruction

• Presents learning materials and conducts instructional exercises in the use of the literary and Nemeth Braille code for reading, writing and mathematics
• Tutors student(s) to reinforce and follow up learning activities in literary and Nemeth Braille codes
• Supports O&M instruction by helping students gain familiarity with classroom, playground, lunchroom, rest rooms, bus, etc
• Monitors students to ensure that mobility skills are performed in a safe manner

• Performs other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as assigned by administrator in alignment with their job classification

It is understood that the district has the right to transfer and assign employees to best fit the needs of the district.