District Focus

 

North Wasco County School District is pleased to announce that we are seeking qualified applicants for the position of a Special Education Learning Specialist.  We are very proud of our District and the teachers, administrators, and support staff that provides the best education possible for the children of our community.  Thank you for seeking this opportunity to be part of our team.  

 

 

District Mission:“Educating each student to the highest standards while motivating them to reach their fullest potential and graduating them to be college, career and life ready.”

 

NWASCO Online: www.nwasco.k12.or.us

 

Application Process:  All application materials must be submitted electronically, as part of your TalentEd/Recruit & Hire application. 

 

Include the following supplemental documents:

1. Letter of interest;
2. Current Resume;
3. Two (3) recent letters of reference
4. Complete application

 

SALARY:

$46,203-$92,77 (Non-PERS eligible)

$49,152-$98,379 (PERS eligible)

 

 

Job Purpose Statement: The Special Education Learning Specialist promotes and develops successful learning for students who are eligible for IDEA services, with a primary focus of instruction. The Learning Specialist collaborates with the Special Education Facilitator in the development and revision of IEP’s, manages an assigned caseload, maintains regular communication with those students, their parents, and appropriate staff members. 

 

Job Qualifications & Licensure: 

• BA/BS or higher degree (required) with a major in one or more of the following areas: Curriculum, Elementary Education, Secondary Education, Special Education, Psychology, Reading, Early Childhood Education, or similar. 
• Valid Oregon Teaching License and endorsement(s) from the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission in the State of Oregon; and displays a willingness to teach any qualified subject area. 
• Must hold a current recognized first aid card or be willing to obtain the same if directed by the district under ORS 342.664 (2). 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

1. The special education Learning Specialist assists students by: 

• Collaborating in evaluation of students to determine whether a disability exists
• Collaborating with the Special Education Facilitator in the development of IEPs for the identified students
• Providing an appropriate program to address the IEP goals and objectives
• Collecting data from probes and systematic observations to monitor progress towards goals and objectives
• Selecting specific activities, materials, and methods related to diagnostic findings and recommendations from the evaluation team
• Developing and implementing effective behavior management programs to increase appropriate behavior, providing assistance for programs established in the regular classroom
• Adapting and modifying instruction and materials to provide more support for students with disabilities in the regular classroom
• Participating in the creation and implementation of Functional Behavioral Assessments, Behavior Support Plans and Safety Plans

     2.The Special Education Learning Specialist assists the classroom teacher by: 

• Providing the teacher with relevant information about any children with disabilities in their classroom 
• Cooperating in developing instructional programs by providing materials, suggestions, techniques, and resources for students in their classroom 
• Conducting teacher inservice meetings designed to increase teacher competence in identifying and remediating learning difficulties 
• Collaborating to adapt and modify instruction and/or materials to provide more support for students with disabilities in the regular classroom 

 

3. The Special Education Learning Specialist supports the child’s family/guardian by: 

• Communicating frequently about the child's progress 
• Sending home written progress reports every trimester 
• Coordinating ancillary and community services for the child 
• Consulting with other professionals and outside agencies regarding the child when appropriate

     4. The Special Education Learning Specialist supports the school and/or District by: 

• Performing other duties as assigned 
• Training and supporting educational assistants by creating schedules, providing lesson plans, and directions for programs 

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND/OR ABILITIES 

• Knowledge of interventions, strategies, and programs to support the behavior of all students.
• Knowledge of an ability to use research-based principles of effective instruction.
• Working knowledge of special education due process requirement. 
• Ability to use appropriate behavior modification techniques with students 
• Ability to keep and maintain accurate records and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision to problem solve and find solutions both independently and as an effective member of a work team
• Must have knowledge and skills to develop successful learning activities. Must understand and apply district policy, administrative rules and regulations and district curriculum. Analyze, demonstrate and explain basic skills, knowledge and strategies to help students to become successful learners who can apply learning skills. 

WORKPLACE EXPECTATIONS: 

• Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech and dress in a neat, clean and appropriate professional manner for the assignment and work setting. 
• Confer regularly with other licensed staff and immediate supervisor. 
• Have effective communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills that carry out a common focus.
• Follow all District policies, work procedures and reasonable requests by proper authority.
• Maintain the integrity of confidential information relating to a student, family, colleague or District patron.
• Cultivate and model a respectful working and learning environment. 
• Maintain regular satisfactory attendance. 

LEARNING DEVELOPMENT EXPECTATIONS: 

 

Reasoning: High. Apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form. Ability to make sound educational judgments including drawing conclusions and inferences from facts and/or premises which are logical. 

 

Mathematical: Intermediate to advanced. Add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure. Perform the four operations with common and like decimal fractions. Compute ratio, rate and percent; draw and interpret different forms of graphs. Perform arithmetic operations involving monetary units including interest and percentage calculations. Some knowledge of advanced mathematical skills in algebra and geometry required. 

 

Reading: Advanced. Read material such as newspaper, ledgers, journals, manuals, dictionaries, thesauruses, curriculum guides, professional magazines, and research materials. Must be able to read material safety data sheets, written instructions, school board policies, state and federal laws and regulations, and warning labels. Must be able to read textbooks and teacher guides. 

 

Writing: Advanced. Write memos and bulletins, prepare expositions, summaries, lesson plans, articles, and reports, using prescribed format and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Be able to spell accurately and write with good penmanship on chalkboards. 

 

Speaking: Intermediate. Speak with poise, voice control, and confidence, using correct English and well-modulated voice when working with students, staff, and patrons of the district. These speaking abilities are also required when speaking on the telephone. Some speaking in front of groups is also required. 

 

Data: Compiling. Gather, collate, or classify information; report and/or carry out a prescribed action in relation to the information. 

 

TEMPERAMENT EXPECTATIONS: 

 

Variation: Make frequent changes of tasks involving different aptitudes, technologies, techniques, procedures, working conditions, physical demands or degrees of attentiveness without loss of efficiency or composure. 

 

Interpersonal: Taking instructions, helping. Attending to work assignment, instructions, or orders of superintendent or supervisor; attending to the needs or requests of people involving immediate response; talks with people to convey or exchange information. Able to give clear directions and direct others in work assignments. Must be able to interact and work effectively with students, staff and patrons of the school district from diverse cultures or backgrounds.. 

 

Decisive: Solve problems, make evaluations, or reach conclusions based on subjective or objective criteria, such as the five senses, knowledge, past experiences, or quantifiable or factual data.

 

Any offer of employment made by North Wasco County School District is contingent upon satisfactory results of: 

1. Drug screening tests for any illegal drug or substance classified in Schedules I through V under the Federal Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 811 to 812. This includes, but is not limited to, marijuana, mind-altering substances or narcotic drugs such as hallucinogens, amphetamines, barbiturates, or any other illegal drug or controlled substance, except those federally recognized as legally prescribed by a physician and used as directed.
2. Criminal history verification- a background check for any convictions directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position. Unless otherwise required by law, only job-related convictions will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the applicant from employment.

Bilingual/Bi-Cultural applicants are highly desirable, and encouraged to apply.

 

North Wasco County School District prohibits discrimination and harassment on any basis protected by law, including but not limited to, an individual’s perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, familial status, economic status, veteran’s status, or because of the perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability pregnancy, familial status, economic status, or veterans’ status of any other persons with whom the individual associates.