ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Louisiana is a State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities.

The Louisiana Special Schools are experiencing a critical shortage of certified teachers, school counselors, interpreters and educators of the Deaf or hard of hearing.

The LA SPECIAL SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking applicants for a 

ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

This is a 12 month positions, 8 hours per day.  Occasional travel  may be required. 

This position is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Louisiana Special Schools do not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in our programs and activities, and we provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups.  Inquiries regarding non-discrimination may be referred to Santa Patterson, Human Resources Director at spatterson@lsdvi.org .
 
 RELEASE OF ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION INFORMATION: La. R.S. 17:3884(D) requires that any school board wishing to hire a person who has been assessed or evaluated pursuant to the Children First Act, La. R.S. 17:3871, et seq., whether that person is already employed by that school system or not, shall request such person's assessment and evaluation results as part of the application process. Please be advised that, as part of the mandated process, your previous assessment and evaluation results will be requested. You have the opportunity to apply, review the information received, and provide any response or information you deem appropriate.
 
 Physical Activity Level:
 The employee must be able to perform assigned duties without significant risk of substantial harm to his/her own safety/security and the safety/security of others. Some work is performed in physically comfortable positions with little or light physical effort, and some work requires moderate effort. Physical requirements are subject to reasonable accommodation in accordance with ADA standards. 

 There is no guarantee that everyone who applies to this posting will be interviewed.  Specific information about this job will be provided to you in the interview process, should you be selected.
 
 No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy. To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities.  Applicants can check the status of their application at any time by selecting the 'Application Status' link after logging into their account.
 
 Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. You must include all relevant education and experience on your official State application.
 
 Applicants qualifying based on college training or receipt of a baccalaureate degree will be required to submit an official college transcript to verify credentials claimed prior to appointment. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript to your application. The transcripts can be added as an attachment to your online application or faxed to (225) 763-5523. The selected candidate will be required to submit original documentation upon hire.

Qualifications:  

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in education/allied health technology or closely related field and/or licensure in an allied health profession.
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience providing services in the area of Assistive Technology to individuals with disabilities.  
• Certification or ability to obtain certification in NLS Transcription                                                                 

• Braille textbooks, ELA guidebooks, workbooks and any materials requested to support students who are legally blind at LSVI and/or state LEA’s, private schools and home schoolers. 
• Create tactile graphics of student materials requested from LSVI, LEAs, Charter Schools and Home Schools
• Transcribe print materials into braille for student’s access to curriculum.
• Train and collaborate with AT Teams, educators, students, and families to support AT for students with Visual Impairments in LEAs, LSVI, and other agencies.
• Facilitate learning opportunities on Accessible materials, Technology and Software, on-line, either at district level, or at vendor fairs/conferences.
• Maintain record of materials created in each format for yearly reports.
• Deliver accessible textbooks, materials and equipment on LSVI campus.
• Work with and under the immediate direction of VI professionals.
• Participate in training on any new VI technology (e.g. software, computers, and adaptive assisted devices).
• Manage time, to complete transcriptions, as consultants need them.
• Accept personal responsibility for the care of the center’s equipment and supplies used in braille production.
• Order and maintain an inventory of supplies needed for performance of job duties.
• Perform functional vision assessments in student’s educational environment and assist in training others in school districts served.
• Develop and deliver distance-learning opportunities by developing on-line Professional Development Module per quarter for staff and families.
• Develop and deliver Professional development including five unique series targeting specific audiences such as, but not limited to, pupil appraisal, staff, general and special education teachers, school leaders and support personnel.
• Develop/implement trainings for teachers, speech therapists, pupil appraisal staff, administrators and families to support students with limited or no language/communication at LSVI and statewide.
• Support districts by creating annual AT plans and identify supports needed from regional AEM Center.
• Serve as an Assistive Technology consultant to school districts and early childcare centers in assigned regional area to assist in building capacity.
• Build capacity of LEAs, Charter Schools, and early childcare centers to conduct AT assessments of students.
• Gather and maintain data on LA AEM activities/trainings/consults.
• Work collaboratively with the AT team in each district and early childcare center.
• Assist in the establishment of Regional AEM Centers, provide resources, and service to AT team members, instructional staff, and families of students with disabilities. 
• Identify and loan equipment/software to districts and daycare centers, for evaluating the effectiveness of the equipment, before districts purchase.
• Develop and maintain tracking system for inventory used in Regional AEM Center and LA AEM Center
• Collaborate/support the development of new AEM website.
• Collaborate and support with other regional AEM Centers, PPEP providers and O&M Outreach.
• Support/facilitate the development of Vendor Fairs/Conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor and/or Director.

II.    Leadership

• To continually study and analyze area(s) of responsibility.
• To establish and promote good Center-Community relations.
• To set up standards for the economic use of utilities, supplies and equipment.

III.   Miscellaneous: 

• To implement Federal, State, Board and Center policies.
• To perform other duties as assigned by the Supervisor and/or Director of Administration.

• see job concepts