•  Assignment, location and hours worked are subject to change based on staffing and program needs.  
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) specialists preferred.

Speech Language Specialist

Purpose Statement:

The job of this teacher will serve as a specialized staff member to provide prevention, assessment and remediation services to students who exhibit difficulties in speech, language, voice, fluency and social communication.  The teacher will work collaboratively with school personnel in designing and implementing plans for the habilitation and remediation of speech and language problems of students in the District through supporting the implementation of the district approved curriculum; documenting progress and services of students; developing intervention plans; modeling necessary skills; and providing ongoing feedback to students and families.  A primary focus is the establishment and support of a positive, safe and optimal learning environment that promotes a high level of achievement for all students considering the background, developmental level and experiences of each individual.   

This job reports to the Principal.

Essential Functions:

• Effectively works with and responds to people from diverse cultures or backgrounds.
• Administers assessments using district approved assessment tools, materials and strategies, for the purpose of evaluating students’ ability and progress.
• Advises parents and/or legal guardians of student progress for the purpose of supporting teacher’s expectations developing methods for improvement and/or reinforcing classroom goals in the home environment.
• Collaborates/Consults with school personnel, parents, and community agencies for the purpose of improving the quality of students outcomes, developing solutions and planning instruction based on student need and learning objectives.
• Complies with all district policies/procedures, state and federal laws for the purpose of performing to district and legal expectations.
• Supports school personnel for the purpose of providing an effective school program in the least restrictive setting and addressing the needs of individual students.
• Plans and implements evidenced-based interventions commensurate with student’s ability and/or interests for the purpose of improving their success in academic, interpersonal and daily living skills through an Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Maintains equipment and supplies for the purpose of ensuring availability of required materials.
• Manages student behaviors utilizing effective management strategies for the purpose of providing a positive, safe and optimal learning environment.
• Organize, conduct and participate in a variety of meetings (e.g. IEP meetings, team meetings, collaboration meetings) for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information to perform functions.
• Prepares intervention materials and related reports (e.g. IEPs, attendance, service logs, communication logs, reports) for the purpose of implementing therapy plans, documenting student progress and meeting district, state and federal reporting requirements.
• Reports incidents (e.g., suspected child abuse, suspected substance abuse etc) for the purpose of maintaining personal safety of students, providing a safe and positive learning environment and adhering to Education Code, administrative and/or school policies.
• Plans and implements the student's program (IEP) for communication (i.e., speech, language, literacy, social communication, pragmatics, voice, fluency and augmentative communication) by selecting specific activities, materials and methods as related to diagnostic findings and recommendations of the evaluation team.
• Maintains accurate, complete and confidential records as required by law, district policy and administrative regulations.
• Strives to improve professional competence through an ongoing program of reading, workshops, seminars, conferences, classes and other professional development activities.
• Utilizes technology fluently to manage all components of student programs.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties, as assigned, for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functionings of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple, highly complex, technical tasks with a need to periodically upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions.  Specific skills required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adhering to safety practices; administering first aid; applying assessment instruments; planning and managing instruction and projects; preparing and maintaining accurate records; operating equipments used in education and using pertinent software applications.

KNOWLEDGE is required to review and interpret highly technical information, write technical materials, and.or speech persuasively to implement desired actions; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions.  Specific knowledge required to satisfactorily  perform the functions of the job includes: developmental/age appropriate activities; positive behavior management techniques; best practice therapy and teaching principles and techniques; command of the professional language in writing and speaking; equipment, materials and technology utilized for teaching and intervention; federal, state and local policies, procedures and practices; health standards and hazards; principles of developing effective positive relationships with people from varying backgrounds, languages and cultures; speech-language development; second language learning and acquisition,  various disability characteristics and effective evidenced-based intervention techniques, augmentative communication/assistive technology, social communication intervention.

ABILITY is required to schedule activities; routinely gather, collate and/or classify data; and consider a number of factors when using equipment.  Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; analyze data utilizing a variety of complex processes; and utilizing equipment under a variety of conditions for multiple purposes,   Ability is also required to work with a significant diversity of individuals and.or groups; work with data of widely varied types and/or purposes; and utilize a variety of types of job-related equipment. In working with others, independent problem-solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem-solving with data requires analysis-based on organizational objectives; and problem-solving with equipment is moderate to significant. Specific abilities required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; meeting deadlines and schedules; setting priorities; working as part of a team; working with detailed information/data; working with frequent interruptions; applying effective principles of teaching to direct and motivate students; creating an environment conducive to learning; supervising assigned teacher assistants and volunteers and managing student behavior.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision using standardized practices and/or methods; leading, guiding, and/or coordinating others; and operating within a defined budget.  Utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job’s functions.  There is a continual opportunity to significantly impact the Organization’s services.

Working Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require following physical demands: significant lifting, carrying, pushing, and or pulling; some climbing and balancing; significant stooping, kneeling, crouching, and or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally, the job requires 50% sitting, 20% walking, and 30% standing. The job is performed under minimal temperature variations and some hazardous conditions.

Experience

Job related experience is desired.  Experience with social communication intervention, assistive technology and augmentative communication is desired. Bilingual in English and Spanish is desired.

Education     

Targeted job related education that meets the organization’s prerequisite requirements.

Required Testing                             

None Specified                        

Certificates & Licenses

TSPC Teaching License with appropriate endorsement or have the ability to obtain one

Board of Examiner’s Speech Language Pathology License

CPR/First Aid Certificate

Continuing Educ./Training

Hold and maintain appropriate licensure                         

Hold and maintain appropriate CPR/First Aid

Clearances

None specified