NOTE: ALL VACANCY POSTINGS ARE PENDING UNTIL BOARD APPROVED.
POSITION: 180 DAYS, FULL-TIME (NON-EXEMPT)
Overall Purpose
The job of Braillist/Tactilist is done for the purpose(s) of creating materials for children with visual impairments and providing braille embossed materials as determined by the Visual Impairment (VI) teacher and the classroom teacher.
Direct Supervisor: Special Education Director
Essential Functions
- Prepares adapted materials in a timely fashion as needed by students and VI teacher to include textbooks for all subjects, teacher-made materials, pictorial layouts, math and science notations, workbooks for all subjects, tactile maps, music notation, and foreign languages.
- Participates in professional development opportunities to advance braille skills beyond basic levels. This may include participation in the braille program offered by the National Library Service.
- Provides adapted materials utilizing a variety of techniques, including recorded texts, tactile graphics, and braille.
- Operates and assists students in the operation and maintenance of specialized equipment such as braillers, keyboarding equipment, electronic scanners, and personal computers.
- Consults with classroom teachers to provide accurate and appropriate adapted materials.
- Works independently to evaluate needs and provide services to meet those needs.
- Carries out basic braille formatting for literacy, foreign language, and Nemeth code rules, except when modifications are requested by the VI teacher to accommodate braille reading ability of individual students.
- Interlines student brailled materials (print with/on the Braille copy).
- Demonstrates an understanding of and ability to produce special braille formats.
- Provides braille output with a variety of braille systems, including braille translation software or comparable electronic rapid braille production systems, and braillewriters.
- Coordinates delivery of brailled (or other tactual) materials to the appropriate schools. Marginal Functions
- Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
Competencies
Skills-based Competencies
Required to perform multiple tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: ability to be trained to operate a Braille machine; operating standard office equipment including pertinent software applications; preparing and maintaining accurate records; adhering to safety practices and procedures; administer first aid and/or prescribed medications; applying physical restraint practices; and promoting activities and/or events.
Knowledge-based Competencies
Required to perform basic math, including calculations using fractions, percentages, and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals, write documents following prescribed formats, and/or present information to others; and understand complex, multi-step written and oral instructions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: concepts of grammar and punctuation; stages of child development and learning styles; age appropriate activities/behaviors; classroom instructional media and technology; cultural differences of student population; health standards and hazards; job-related codes/laws/rules/regulations/policies; methods of instruction and training; operation of office equipment and technology; school safety and security practices.
Ability-based Competencies
Required to schedule activities; gather and/or collate data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to work with others; work with data utilizing defined but different processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a wide diversity of individuals; work with a variety of data; and utilize a variety of job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to identify issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited to moderate. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; setting priorities; working as part of a team; adapting to changing work priorities; communicating with persons of diverse backgrounds; working extended hours and working with frequent interruptions.
Requirements:
High school diploma or GED equivalent
Associate Degree or higher teaching credential preferred
Paraprofessional license OR have passed the paraprofessional assessment
Physical Requirements:
The usual and customary methods of performing the job's functions require the following physical demands: some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling, some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling and significant fine finger dexterity.
Generally the job requires 10% sitting, 40% walking, and 50% standing.
Continuing Education/Training
Maintains all licenses and certifications