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Vocational Services Instructor

Reports to: Regional Administrator
Date: August 2003

Classification: Contracted

Job Summary:

Partners with educators, families and communities to provide effective learning environments for all students.  Helps ensure success for all learners.  Provides educational and career education programming for secondary students with disabilities.  Works in collaboration with parents, educators, employers, and local service providers to develop a positive transition from the classroom to competitive and productive opportunities in the community.

Qualifications:

  1. Bachelor’s degree in secondary education.
  2. One year of experience in special education, business or rehabilitation serving persons with disabilities. 
  3. Iowa license with secondary (7-12) endorsement.

Essential Functions:

  1. Supports total school/community efforts to create a positive learning environment for students/children.
  2. Serves as liaison among AEA, district building(s), families and community and collaborates with various teams to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
  3. Models, implements and assesses strategies related to learning, social, emotional and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
  4. Provides ongoing support to educational staff related to applicable rules and laws.
  5. Integrates research into the design of best practices.
  6. Consults with teachers and administrators regarding best practices for classroom and building educational programs.
  7. Follows policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws, the Iowa Dept of Education and GWAEA, which includes, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
  8. Plans and delivers appropriate vocational programming.
  9. Develops viable employment options for students with disabilities.
  10. Participates in the evaluation and progress of each student.=
  11. Coordinates and develops partnerships with employers and co-workers, creating successful transition plans for students from the classroom to the community.

Additional Responsibilities:

  1. Participates in projects, committees or activities to support the Agency’s mission, goals and priorities.
  2. Demonstrates self-discipline and initiative to produce high-quality, organized and dependable results.
  3. Conveys a positive and professional image to staff and public.
  4. Handles information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA, HIPAA, etc).
  5. Pursues professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational directions.
  6. Performs such other duties as may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  1. Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
  2. Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
  3. Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of clients and the Agency.
  4. Ability to integrate educational theory, research and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts, in a service style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement.
  5. Effective presentation and group facilitation skills.
  6. Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
  7. Knowledge of best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
  8. Knowledge of applicable rules and laws that govern educational decisions.
  9. Ability to read and interpret documents, write reports and correspondence, and apply appropriate mathematical concepts.
  10. Ability to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes, but is not limited to, efficient operation of telephone and voice mail systems and application of basic computer skills to effectively use e-mail, internet and word processing.
  11. Knowledge of relevant employment regulations, such as child labor laws.
  12. Knowledge and awareness of service providers, their procedures and their regulations.
  13. Ability to handle information in a confidential manner.
  14. Ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks.

Physical Requirements:

  1. Ability to travel between schools/sites served.
  2. Normal, routine levels of activity related to bending, carrying, climbing, hearing, lifting, reaching, sitting, standing, vision and walking, and may also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can’t always be anticipated.

EOE/M-F-H-V