THERAPEUTIC ADVOCATE

$750 hiring bonus paid after successfully completing the 75 day probationary period

Job Title: Therapeutic Advocate or Individual Therapeutic Advocate

Job Location: Rutland, VT Education - Sheldon Academy

Compensation: $15.75/hr to $16.00/hr

Classification: Non-Exempt
10-month school year position

Reports to: Jennifer Dattoli, Principal

About Us
The Vermont Achievement Center, Inc., a 501(c) 3 charitable organization has been serving the needs of children and families throughout the Rutland region and Vermont since 1937. VAC continues to offer innovative and responsive programs in special education, early education and child care, as well as water safety and aqua therapy. The programs provided by VAC touch the lives of more than 7,000 children and families throughout our region each year.

About You
Therapeutic Advocates (T.A.'s) are responsible for working closely with the special educator, regular education content area teacher and clinician to implement behavior management procedures and classroom schedules/procedures that help promote a safe learning environment for all students in the Sheldon Academy Program. T.A.'s will collaborate to develop individualized behavior and educational goals; keep records of behaviors; assist teams in necessary report writing; communicate with parents and LEA's; attend meetings; provide emotional support and crisis intervention and physical management when necessary. When assisting the teaching staff, T.A.'s deliver academic services. This may include working closely with the teacher in areas of planning lessons, direct instruction, keeping records and writing academic progress updates.

We are seeking a qualified Therapeutic Advocate (T.A.) to join our Sheldon Academy team.

* A T.A. must have the ability to tolerate a variable learning environment that requires adult and student interactions that at times take place in diverse conditions (physical threats, swearing, need for staff physical fitness, swimming and ability to travel in mini-vans with children).
* A T.A. must be mentally/ emotionally strong and stable enough to maintain clinical neutrality & a professional demeanor in the face of challenging situations with students/families. T.A.'s must set and maintain appropriate boundaries with students. Boundaries include, but are not limited to: avoidance of power struggles, displays of anger, or personal agendas that impede professional duties.

Provide direct service/instruction to students in Sheldon Academy and consultation to outside school districts/agencies as requested.

* Observe student behaviors, assess internal & external factors, and decide on appropriate interventions to address students' needs.
* Provide direct behavioral interventions as needed, which may include token economy systems, level systems, use an appropriate hierarchy for consequences, escorts, and following crisis intervention training parameters for physical management.
* Closely monitor students at all times, focusing on their social, emotional and academic needs.
* Provide emotional support through active listening, de-escalation techniques and by processing all adverse incidents as a learning opportunity.
* Implement academic lessons provided by the teacher. At times give direct instruction to one or more students in any academic basic skill area (all Grade Level expectations, VT State Standards) under the supervision of a Special or Regular Educator.

Provide indirect educational and behavioral services.
* Develop individual behavior goals for students that are pertinent to presenting behaviors and clinical needs.
* Accurately record and diligently update/maintain all needed behavioral and academic data (such as specific student rubrics, informal assessments), attendance, Significant Event Reports, Daily/Weekly sheets (on paper and digitally), ICMPs', Discharge Summaries, tests, grades, etc.
* Communicate in person, by email, telephone or in writing any pertinent academic or behavioral information to students, parents, LEAs. Complete written behavioral forms for evaluators &/or provide brief written evaluations when needed.
* Attend all assigned program, staff, IEP, treatment team meetings, etc.
* Assist the classroom teacher in planning weekly/monthly schedules.
* Read and understand the IEP's as they pertain to your students' educational or behavioral goals.

As a member of the Sheldon Academy, T.A.'s will:
* Participate as an integral part of the treatment team.
* Work cooperatively with the Director of Education, educational & clinical staff, nurse and other personnel to raise and resolve issues; insure appropriateness and effectiveness of programming; provide for the health, safety, welfare of the Sheldon Academy community.
* Adhere to all Sheldon Academy policies, rules and regulations.
* Adhere to VAC policies and procedures.
* Help plan and implement various academic or recreational activities and field trips.
* Appropriate Crisis Intervention training is successfully completed; Crisis intervention is maintained by annual updates/trainings; assistance is provided as needed with student behavioral interventions.
* All training that results in certification or licensure that is offered to staff during designated times shall be maintained during those times and other certifications will be supported/ maintained that insures the health, safety and welfare of the Sheldon Academy students and staff.

Education Department staff may need to transport Sheldon Academy students using VAC vehicles. All staff need a valid Vermont driver's license. All staff are required to file a copy of their license and insurance with the VAC business office upon hiring.

All Education Department staff will have a criminal background check annually by April 1st of each year. This will be supplied by VAC.

All Education Department staff must be willing to perform other duties consistent with the general nature of their job description that the employee is qualified to do and which is assigned by the administration team.

Required Skills & Experience
All staff should have a working knowledge of:
* Learning disabilities and styles.
* Academic/ Basic skill areas of their students.
* Emotional-behavioral disabilities.
* Behavior modification theory and techniques.
* Child and adolescent development.
* Developmental disabilities.
* VAC facility security, program regulations/procedures.
* Knowledge of Sheldon Academy Policies.
* VAC Policies and procedures.
* Fire drill/ lock down /evacuation procedures.
* Clinical needs of students.

All staff should possess the following abilities:
* To maintain a positive relationship with students.
* To communicate effectively orally and in writing.
* To be empathic and actively listen to students.
* To make accurate decisions in emergencies.
* To learn new teaching methods.
* Must be physically able to do physical management when necessary and mentally/emotionally strong enough to maintain clinical neutrality and cope with disturbing behaviors.
* To be flexible to quick staffing changes.
* To collaborate well with a wide variety of staff personalities.
* To lead activities in the absence of the teaching and clinical staff.
* To communicate effectively with the public.
* To be willing and able to work with various levels of authority.
* To organize individual time to work efficiently during the work day.
* To maintain and demonstrate a respectful and positive demeanor.
* To represent Sheldon Academy and VAC in a professional manner.
* As a mandated reporter you will work closely with Supervisory team to make necessary reports to DCF.

One-to-One Therapeutic Advocates are employed specifically to work with one student whose IEP requires an individual assistant for provision of IEP services. The One-to-One Therapeutic Advocates role is to represent the individualized program for this student, not necessarily deliver ALL aspects of the student's program. The 1:1 TA will be the primary contact person for the individual student, provide all data for the student at meetings, assist with organizing the individual program under the direction/ guidance of the Special Educator and be the primary advocate for the student for all components of their school day. The 1:1 TA will always be available for the individual student and insure that the student is having their program needs meet individually but may not necessarily be directly involved every moment of the school day. The 1:1 TA's employment at VAC is dependent on: (1) the continued enrollment in the Sheldon Academy of the particular student the 1:1 TA is hired to work with, and (2) the continuation of the need for an individual assistant as stated in the student's IEP. Every effort will be made to find another job within Sheldon Academy for the TA. If no job exists for which the 1:1 TA is qualified, this role shall be terminated and the union will be notified and the current practice for seniority or qualifications for current positions will be activated.

Hiring Requirements:
* High School Diploma required; B.S. or B.A., preferably in the field of Child Development, Education or other related area desired.
* Two years work experience in a school, preferably working with behavior disordered and/or seriously emotionally disturbed children.
* All TAs need a valid Vermont driver's license.
* Basic computer skills, including research.
* Ability to operate basic educational equipment.

Disclaimer
The preceding job description has been designated to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The principle duties and responsibilities listed above are subject to change.

Vermont Achievement Center, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on age, gender, disability, military status, race, religion, marital status, or any other protected classes under the law.

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