Paraprofessional Teacher Aide

POSITION: Paraprofessional

                   Alabama School for the Blind

ABOUT ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND

Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) is the world’s most comprehensive education, rehabilitation, and service program serving individuals of all ages who are

Deaf, Blind, Deaf Blind, multidisabled, and their families. Founded in 1858, AIDB serves more than 30,000 infants, toddlers, children, adults, and senior citizens with hearing and vision loss throughout Alabama each year. Our services span a lifetime and include five campuses in Talladega, a statewide network of regional centers, Early Intervention services, traditional and nontraditional educational opportunities in residential, day, and outreach settings, and a manufacturing facility known as Alabama Industries for the Blind (AIB), the state’s largest employer of adults who are Blind. AIDB’s three K-12 schools — Alabama School for the Blind, Alabama School for the Deaf, and Helen Keller School of Alabama — provide specialized educational services that empower students to achieve their full potential. Our employees are among the organization’s most valuable assets and resources. We share a commitment to leveling the playing field for all. Our mission makes AIDB a

unique place to work.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Our employees are among the organizations’ most valuable assets and resources. We share compassion for leveling the playing field for all. Our Mission makes AIDB a unique place to work and we invite you to be a part of the miracles that happen every day,

As a Teacher Aide for Alabama School for the Blind (ASB) you will be responsible for working closely with teachers in a specialized classroom with students who are blind or visually impaired. ASB is committed to meet our students where they are. The right candidate for this job will have a passion for working with students and colleagues to ensure all students receive a world class education.

ABOUT YOU

You will play a vital role in the lives of our students and be a part of the miracles that happen every day at AIDB and ASB.  This will be accomplished by demonstrating flexibility, positive attitude, agility, and professional maturity.

BASIC QUALIFICATION:

• Minimum High school diploma or equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must have one-year work experience in an educational setting.
• Experience working with blind or visually impaired individuals.
• Knowledge of Braille

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Student Care & Supervision

• Direct Assistance: Work one-on-one with students as needed and assist teachers and staff with individual student(s) as assigned. 
• Specialized Care: Physically assist with the lifting and other needs of assigned wheelchair-bound and/or physically disabled students. 
• Student Monitoring: Cover supervision of students in ISS (In School Suspension) and/or other locations as needed. 
• Event Support: Transport and chaperone student(s) to, from, and while on field trips, other school-sponsored events, and trips. 
• Campus Duties: Perform lunch duty in the office and cafeteria as assigned, both independently and with student(s) as needed. 
• Transportation Supervision: Perform bus duty as needed, which involves supervision of students in the cafeteria, assisting with ensuring students get on the correct bus, and ensuring medicines are distributed to the bus driver/aide. 
• Activity Assistance: Assist with extracurricular activities, especially those assigned to the department, as well as Graduation, Baccalaureate, Awards Programs, and other events as assigned. 

Instruction & Classroom Support

• Instructional Support: Carry out instructional duties under teacher direction with student(s) as needed. 
• Staff Relief: Fill in for teacher(s) when they are out of the classroom as requested, and fill in for the secretary or other department staff when needed. 

Performance & Administration

• Administrative Assistance: Assist teachers and staff with reproducing materials, checking papers, recording grades, filing, typing, delivering, copying, laminating, and performing other office duties as needed, especially when not assigned to direct student care. 
• Communication Skills: Must possess excellent communication skills and maintain professional conduct, tact, and friendliness toward parents and all other non-staff personnel. 
• Team Collaboration: Work cooperatively as a team with other school personnel to best serve the student(s). 
• Crisis Management: Address and deal with emergency situations in a calm and logical manner. 

Physical & Scheduling Requirements

• Operational Flexibility: Must be willing to work a flexible schedule. 
• Departmental Placement: Paraprofessionals are assigned to a specific department; however, assignments may be adjusted or reassigned by school administration based on the needs of the school. 
• Physical Stamina: Must be able to lift up to 50lbs., to include pushing, pulling, and bending.

Professional Development

• Meetings & Training: Attend departmental meetings, school-wide meetings, in-services, training sessions, and workshops provided.
• Braille Certification: Knowledge of or willingness to learn Braille, including becoming a National Library of Congress certified Braille Transcriptionist within the first thirty-six (36) months of employment.
• Specialized Training: Complete Basics of Blindness and Low Vision e-Learning course, Managing Crisis Safely (MCS) and Orientation and Mobility Certification within the first 12 months.
• Policy Adherence: Maintain thorough knowledge of all school rules and emergency procedures, ensuring consistent enforcement of campus policies.

Upon offer of employment, the applicant must submit to a fingerprint background check at an agency designated and paid by AIDB. This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job goals, qualifications, and responsibilities, and the employee may be required to perform other related duties as assigned.

MANDATORY ANNUAL TRAINING:

• Medication Training
• Behavior Management certification
• CPR – every 2 years
• Blood Borne Pathogens
• Using an AED
• Mandatory Reporting – DHR
• Policy and Procedure Review
• Erin’s Law
• Jason Flatt Act

SALARY:      $15.32 - $17.75                    Scale C1 Rank 27 (High School/GED)

                        $16.13 - $18.82                    Scale C1 Rank 29 (30 semester hours in related field)

                        $17.40 - $20.37                    Scale C1 Rank 32 (60 semester hours in related field)

  187 days

BENEFITS:  Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance Available

                        Alabama State TRS Retirement

                        Deferred Compensation Options Available

                        Paid Time Off

                     Onsite Daycare

187 Days

Direct deposit required. 

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION: Open Until Filled