Special Education Teacher

POSITION SUMMARY:
A functional core program (FCP) teacher works with identified disabilities that demonstrate primary learning needs in the functional life skills domain. They may need intensive specially designed instruction to learn how to independently manage self-care or to acquire basic academic and social-emotional skills needed to be successful in supervised or sheltered adult employment. Functional core programs are also for students with significant disabilities, including those who are medically fragile, who need to develop basic communication and skills for participating in daily support routines.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Develop and maintain compliant individual education plans (IEPs) and other compliance documents. Develop, implement, and adjust appropriate programming to provide access to a student’s least restrictive environment (LRE). Provide interventions and systematic purposeful instruction at students’ instructional levels, linking district initiatives and grade level expectations to IEPs. Design and implement intervention based on student assessment and evaluation. Collect and utilize data and frequent ongoing progress monitoring systems to inform instructional decisions or revisions. Design and implement appropriate accommodations and modifications. Establish and communicate clear lesson and intervention purpose. Instruct students in daily living skills required for independent maintenance and economic self-sufficiency, such as hygiene, safety, and food preparation through classroom and community-based instruction. Train and supervise paraeducators. Provide individualized inclusion opportunities.
The preceding list of responsibilities is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
A current Washington state teaching certificate with a special education endorsement

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Provide medical or health services such as catheterization, diapering, toileting, feeding, tube feeding, and assisting students with other activities involving self-care, as required
Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Training or experience in serving students with moderate to severe disabilities
Proficiency in conducting functional behavior assessments and developing behavior intervention plans
Bilingual

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Criminal background clearance
Washington State Driver’s license and proof of insurance
Possess and maintain a current district-approved CPR/First Aid card within 90 days of employment. District approved courses must include hands-on and written exam.
Complete the Right Response training at the advanced level at the next available class and maintain certification annually.

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Special Education laws
School board policies and procedures
Computer systems and various software programs
Evidence-based classroom and behavior management practices

ABILITY TO:
Plan, implement, and evaluate individualized programs for students
Establish and maintain effective working relationship with staff, parents, and community members
Skill in operating a computer and ability to learn and use various software programs
Work effectively under varying levels of pressure
Intervene in situations of imminent likelihood of serious harm using district approved Right Response techniques, including de-escalation strategies and restraint when needed
Comply with school board policies and follow administrative procedures
Organize and perform job responsibilities efficiently and independently without close supervision and able to pay strict attention to detail
Communicate effectively through spoken and written word; read and follow written or verbal communications
Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines
Develop and maintain positive relationships with staff and service providers
Work collaboratively with District staff and promote teamwork with co-workers
Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
Relate effectively with parents, staff, students and community members in a multicultural and multiracial community
Perform job responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodations

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools’ commitment to “Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future.”
Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will frequently be required to reach, bend, stoop, squat, kneel, handle/grasp, talk, and hear. The employee will occasionally be required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, lift and reach overhead, twist torso and neck, and fine motor manipulation. The employee will occasionally be required to lift/carry a maximum of 50 pounds. The employee will occasionally be required to push/pull a maximum weight of 100 pounds. Anything over the weight limits will be performed as a two-person lift or with a mechanical lift.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions and regularly works near video display. The employee will experience constant interruptions; required to meet deadlines. The employee will be exposed to infectious diseases carried by students and exposed to unpredictable students who may grab or bite. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee will regularly perform community-based instruction requiring exposure to outdoor conditions and community environment.

WORK SCHEDULE
This position has a school year schedule.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
Position reports to, and is evaluated by, the building administrator, department director, or designee.

REPRESENTATION
Federal Way Education Association (FWEA)

LEVEL OF COMPENSATION
Federal Way Education Association (FWEA) Salary Schedule.
This position includes the following benefits prorated based on FTE – Medical, dental vision, wellness leave, life insurance, retirement, professional development dollars.

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Update 12/2015
Update 1/2017
Updated Right Response language 07/2017

Disclaimer
The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.

Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.

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