Special Education Diagnostic Teacher

Job Title: Special Education Diagnostic Teacher

Department: Instruction

Reports To: Building Principal/SPED Director

Position Status: Union STA

Date Updated: 4/1/2024

FLSA Status: NonExempt

Job Summary:

A Special Education Diagnostic Teachers role is provide academic/achievement testing to children ages 621 and collaborate with school staff parents and outside agencies as appropriate. Work with many different types of children from those who are physically disabled or sensory impaired to those with speech difficulties or autism. Function as a member of the multidisciplinary team to determine the students eligibility for special services appropriate programming and ongoing progress. Implement all procedures to meet compliance standards as outlined in the Vermont State Regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Other duties may be assigned.

General:

• Screen and evaluate referred children including selecting appropriate instruments administering tests observations and writing reports which state the evaluation findings and provide for educational program recommendations.
• Participate as Team Leader and a member of the multidisciplinary team and member of the individualized education program (IEP) committee contributing evaluation findings and collaborating on the childs educational plan.
• Possible collaborative consultation and documentation of results including assisting basic education staff with suggestions and implementation of EST accommodations prereferral intervention strategies and providing recommendations and modifications to assist basic education staff in working with special education students in the classroom setting.
• Consult with parents teachers and other appropriate staff regarding the childs program and any adaptations/materials needed to facilitate improved performance in the classroom or at home.
• Develop and maintain appropriate data on students to document current levels of performance and other pertinent information. Reevaluate as appropriate to determine extent of progress.
• Establish and monitor the necessary caseloads procedures and resources to manage school evaluation services to students.
• Adhere to the ethical standards and codes of the profession and to the established rules regulations and laws governing special education programs.

Professional Growth and Responsibilities:

• Supports and implements District policies regulations procedures and administrative directives; demonstrates loyalty to the District and other administrators. Supports and follows the policies and procedures of the school districts served.
• Submits records reports and assignments promptly and efficiently.
• Deals with obstacles and constraints positively.
• Demonstrates ability to adjust to and use new approaches in the performance of his/her duties.
• Seeks and takes advantage of opportunities for professional growth.
• Maintains dress and appearance appropriate to a professional office setting.

Additionally the Special Education Diagnostic Teacher would:

• Establishes and maintains a safe orderly and child centered environment
• Perform other duties normally required to be performed by certificated employees as adjunct to the regular teaching assignment
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with administrators teachers district classified personnel
• Exercise initiative and possess mature judgment
• Communicate effectively both orally and in written form; facilitate problem solving with diverse groups of educators

Supervision Received: Reports to receives daily work assignments and is evaluated by the Principal.

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

Qualification Requirements: To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each job function in an efficient and compliant manner. The requirements listed below represent the knowledge skills and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the job functions.

• Education and Experience: A/B.S degree in Special Education from an accredited institution or related field of teaching (Masters degree may be preferred in some cases) with a Vermont teaching endorsement. State certification/licensure in Special Education. Knowledge of special education laws and regulations

1. Language Skills: Ability to read and write reports business correspondence and procedure manuals.
2. Mathematical Skills: Good basic mathematical skills including the ability to calculate percentages proportions averages and other concepts of basic algebra.
3. Reasoning Ability/Mental Requirements: Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out detailed written or oral instructions. Ability to deal with problems involving a few concrete variables in standardized situations.
4. Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively resolve conflicts; to communicate courteously efficiently and effectively with a variety of individuals including students faculty administrators parents and representatives of outside organizations.
5. Other Skills and Abilities:

• 1. Valid drivers license.
• 2. Attention to detail is essential.
• 3. Patience empathy and a passion for working with students with diverse needs.
• 4. Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job in accordance with federal and state federal law and regulations and Springfield School District policy and procedures is required.
• 5. Strong organizational skills are essential.
• 6. Strong written verbal and interpersonal skills are essential.
• 7. Follow through and followup skills are essential.
• 8. Operating knowledge of and experience with typical office equipment including: telephones copier scanner printer calculator postage meter and fax machine is essential.
• 9. Working knowledge of personal computer applications including Microsoft Office Windows Suite and Google Suite.

Competencies. The individual in this position must possess the following:

1. Attention to Detail: being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
2. Cooperation: being pleasant on the job and displaying a goodnatured cooperative attitude.
3. Concern for Others: being sensitive to others needs and feelings and understanding on the job.

Patience empathy and a passion for working with students with diverse needs.

1. Dependability: being reliable punctual and responsible and fulfilling obligations.
2. Stress Tolerance: accepting feedback from your supervisor and colleagues as well as dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Physical effort and stress: Employee must have the physical ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined above. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable a person with a disability to perform the essential functions in addition to the following (Frequency Codes described below):

Frequency

Code

Description

Sometimes

S

Activity may exist sporadically but not on a consistent basis

Occasionally

O

Activity exists on a consistent basis for less than 1/3 of the time

Frequently

F

Activity exists from 1/3 of the time up to 2/3 of the time

Constantly

C

Activity exists for 2/3 or more of the time

Not Applicable

N/A

Activity is not present in the position

Activity

Frequency Code

Essential

Not Essential

Activity

Frequency Code

Essential

Not Essential

Sitting

C

X

Carrying up to 1025 Lbs.

O

X

Standing

F

X

Carrying up to 2550 Lbs.

N/A

X

Walking

F

X

Carrying up to 50100 Lbs.

N/A

X

Seeing

C

X

Carrying 100 Lbs.

N/A

X

Hearing

C

X

Bending/

Stooping

N/A

X

Talking

C

X

Pushing/Pulling

N/A

X

Dexterity (Hands/Fingers)

C

X

Twisting

N/A

X

Tasting

N/A

X

Climbing

N/A

X

Smelling

N/A

X

Balancing

N/A

X

Use of Computers/Equipment

F

X

Crouching

N/A

X

Lifting

X

Kneeling

S

X

Up To 10 Lbs.

O

X

Crawling

N/A

X

1025 Lbs.

N/A

X

Reaching (i.e. overhead)

O

X

2550 Lbs.

N/A

X

Handling

F

X

50100 Lbs.

N/A

X

Driving

S

X

100 Lbs.

N/A

X

Repetitive Movements (Hands Feet)

S

X

Working Conditions/Environmental Factors: All conditions common to an education environment but not limited to the following (Frequency Codes described in table below. Work is normally performed in a climate controlled office/ building environment with limited exposure to extreme heat/cold poor ventilation fumes and gasses. No known environmental hazards are encountered in normal performance of job duties.

Working Conditions/

Environmental Factors

Frequency

Code

Working Conditions/

Environmental Factors

Frequency

Code

Exposure (dust dirt)

S

Exposure (chemicals hazardous materials)

N/A

Exposure (extreme heat nonweather flames)

S

Uneven terrain

N/A

Exposure (extreme cold nonweather)

S

Outdoor weather conditions

S

Exposure (fumes odors)

S

Vibration/noise

S

Exposure (viruses infectious diseases)

S

Heights

N/A

Exposure (water)

S

Exposure (Hazardous equipment)

N/A

Definitions Physical Demands

• Sitting: remaining in a seated position
• Standing: remaining on ones feet in an upright position at a workstation without moving about
• Walking: Moving about on foot
• Seeing: Perceiving with the eye
• Hearing: Perceiving or listening to sound by ear
• Talking: Articulating speaking or discussing using spoken words
• Dexterity: Skill in the use of hands and fingers
• Lifting: Raising or lowering an object from one level to another (includes upward pulling)
• Carrying: Transporting an object usually holding it in the hands or arms or on the shoulder
• Reaching: Extending the hands and arms in any direction
• Handling: Seizing holding grasping turning or working with hands

Disclaimers: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to perform other related duties as assigned to ensure workload coverage. Employees are required to follow any other jobrelated instructions and to perform any other jobrelated duties requested by their supervisor. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job description does NOT constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the organizational needs and requirements of the job change.

The use of itemized lists are for organizational purposes only and do not assign levels of importance. The job specification requirements stated are representative of minimum levels of knowledge skills and abilities to perform this job successfully. Any satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may substitute for the above so that the employee will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.