Braille Transcriber

Job Details

Job ID : 5008971

Job Description

Braille Transcriber

4 Hours per Week / 9 Months per Year

Fair Labor Standards Act Status : Non-Exempt

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.

Benefits / Compensation :

Salary range : New employees will start at the minimum hourly rate in the salary range. However, employees who have verified prior years of service in a similar occupational status from other Washington School Districts or Education School Districts, may receive experience credit towards salary placement. Salary schedules can be accessed here () .

Benefits : Employees who are anticipated to work at least 630 hours may be eligible for health, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, life, and disability insurance benefits. Detailed information, including further eligibility criteria, can be found here () .

Retirement : Employees may be eligible for retirement benefits through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Eligibility is based on FTE. Detailed information can be found here () .

Time Off : Vancouver Public Schools offers paid holidays and paid time off, including but not limited to, sick, vacation, personal, and bereavement leave. Additional negotiated leave options can be found in the associated Comprehensive Professional Agreement (CPA) for this position VAESP CPA () .

Position Type : Part-time

Positions Available : 1

Job Categories

Instructional Support, Individual Aide