Assistive Technology Specialist

JOB SUMMARY: Mentors and supports the professional development of assistive technology specialists. Facilitates program development of the assistive technology services provided in the Houston ISD.

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

 List most important duties first

1. Provides ongoing mentoring for assistive technology specialists working in the district to maintain consistent district wide implementation of best practices recognized in the field of assistive technology.

2. Provides student specific assistive technology services. Conducts appropriate assistive technology consideration, evaluation, and intervention services to support students with disabilities who are referred by campus personnel, parents, Admission, Review and Dismissal/Individualized Education Program (ARD/IEP) committees. Facilitates campus team to perform assistive technology evaluations and support campus personnel to improve campus capacity to use technology to support students with disability in the learning process. Follows departmental guidelines for providing consideration, evaluation, and intervention services for children with disabilities including maintaining compliance with professional peer review and administrative review policies.

3. Effectively communicates with district personnel and customers. Participates in ARD/IEP meetings as requested. Serves as a liaison with the medical community and agencies on student issues related to assistive technology services. Supports parents of children with disabilities to understand the role of assistive technology services in schools. Accesses school or community resources.

4. Provides student specific technical support. Adapts, constructs, or recommends specialized equipment to facilitate student performance. Supports classroom personnel to effectively use classroom-based technology and assistive technologies to facilitate student success.

5. Provides professional development. Conducts in-services for school personnel on, among other pertinent topics, communication, literacy, and technology skill development in children with disabilities as it impacts success at school. Serves as a resource for campus administration concerning the interpretation of the assistive technology program and also addressing barriers limiting the participation of students with disabilities in campus based and classroom based activities. Develops professional development programs for campus based personnel in online, face-to-face, and webinar formats.

6. Supports assistive technology device inventory and maintenance.

7. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree preferred

WORK EXPERIENCE: Minimum 5 years of experience in providing assistive technology services to support students with disabilities in schools.

TYPE OF SKILL AND/OR REQUIRED LICENSING/CERTIFICATION: Microsoft Office, Texas Licensure/Certification in at least one of the following areas: Speech-Language Pathologist, Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC), Speech Language Pathology (CCC-SLP). Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Educational Diagnostician, Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Special Education Teacher Certification.

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES: Work Leadership. Regularly provides project management or team leadership to a group of two or more employees, but does not have formal supervisory responsibility. Leading and directing is restricted to monitoring work and providing guidance on escalated issues. Most of work time is spent performing many of the same duties they are leading.

WORK COMPLEXITY/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT: Work is substantially complex, varied and regularly requires the selection and application of technical and detailed guidelines. Independent judgment is required to identify, select, and apply the most appropriate methods as well as interpret precedent. Position regularly makes recommendations to management on areas of significance to the department. Supervision received typically consists of providing direction on the more complex projects and new job duties and priorities.

BUDGET AUTHORITY: Specifies requirements for a plan and/or budget.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Decisions are made on both routine and non-routine matters with some latitude, but are still subject to approval. Job is occasionally expected to recommend new solutions to problems and improve existing methods or generate new ideas.

IMPACT OF DECISIONS: Decisions have moderate impact to the facility/department or division, causing increased satisfaction or dissatisfaction; producing efficiencies or delays; promoting or inhibiting personal intellectual or professional development; and/or contributing to financial gain or expense. Errors may be serious, usually not subject to direct verification or check, causing losses such as improper cost calculations, overpayment or improper utilization of labor, materials or equipment. Effect usually confined to the organization itself and is short term.
COMMUNICATION/INTERACTIONS: Collaborate and solve problems. Works with others to resolve problems, clarify or interpret complex information/policies, and provide initial screening/negotiations without approval authority. Interactions are typically with customers, senior level professional staff, and managers.

CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS: Regularly assesses and diffuses complex, and escalated customer issues. Takes personal responsibility and accountability for solving systemic customer service problems. Regularly explores alternative and creative solutions to meeting the needs of the customer within HISD’s policies and guidelines.

WORKING/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: Work involves some exposure to moderate risk of accident and requires following basic safety precautions. Ability to observe student interactions throughout the school environment including interactions with peers and adults. Ability to hear and under stance students of all age, grade and ability levels. Ability to carry and/or lift 25 pounds or more.