Educational Diagnostician

Bargaining Unit: AEA Work Year: 182 days, 12 contract payments FTE: Full time, 1.0 FTE Salary: B00/00 to B72/08 ($56,823 to $82,218), DOE Job Summary The Educational Diagnostician implements the special education evaluation and appraisal process within Mental Health and Student Supports. The diagnostician collaborates with school-based assessment teams to comprehensively evaluate and develop appropriate education plans for students referred for special education services. The position reports to and is evaluated by the Mental Health and Student Supports Department. This position requires a valid Alaska educator certificate. The number of work days is based upon the AEA negotiated pay scale. Information on the pay scale can be found online on our Labor Relations Department website. Positions that are 0.50 FTE to 1.0 FTE are associated with the Alaska Teachers' Retirement System (TRS), positions that are 0.40 to 0.49 FTE are associated with the Alaska Employees' Retirement System (PERS). Positions that are 0.39 FTE or less are not eligible for state retirement benefits. Job Requirements The following are required: A bachelor's degree in education from an accredited college or university. A valid Alaska type C certificate with an endorsement for educational diagnostician or similar. Evidence of content knowledge shown by: a posted degree in the content area of this position; or a posted minor in the content area of this position; or passing Praxis Subject Assessments scores (formerly Praxis II) in the content area of this position; or an endorsement in the content area of this position The following are preferred: A master's degree in education from an accredited college or university. A minimum of three years of experience in the education field. Evidence of experience working with special education students. Experience in collaborating to support the Individual Education Plan (IEP) needs of special education student(s) in a public school setting. Experience or evidence of the following: Good organizational skills, with an interest in statistical and numerical information. Ability to relate well to multiple groups, including parents, administrators, teachers, and students of all ages. Ability to efficiently use technology to manage work tasks such as record keeping and assessment results. Effective written and verbal communication skills and ability to resolve conflict. Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. Ability to clearly explain test results, resources, and education plans. Essential Job Functions Collaborates with a team to develop evaluation plans for students. Selects and administers formal and informal assessments to determine student eligibility for special education services according to federal, state, and district regulations. Collects and organizes relevant information and assessment data from the parent(s)/guardian(s), the student information system, progress monitoring data, classroom teacher(s), principal, support staff, and outside resources. Conducts observation and personal interviews as needed. Participates in initial and reevaluation meetings to assist with interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures. Collaborates with other assessment personnel, such as speech-language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, school psychologists, and counselors to determine eligibility for special education services. Provides input to the IEP committee regarding student's academic strengths and weaknesses based on psycho-educational testing. Interprets results of psycho-educational testing in relation to student's educational placement and programming to parents, teachers, administrators, and students. Monitors student's educational progress in relation to IEP goals and objectives, recommending appropriate modifications and accommodations to curricular content and instruction as needed. Provides ongoing consultative services to school, community, and parents regarding student's educational needs. Works as a partner with parents, families, and the community. Communicates regularly with parents by means of notes, phone calls, conferences, etc. Physical /Mental Demands The physical demands of this job require frequent standing, walking, sitting, speaking and hearing. Specific visual abilities are also required. The employee is regularly required to reach with his/her hands and arms and occasionally lift items weighing less than 40 lbs. Additionally, the employee must be able to understand vague and implicit instructions, be able to readily recall facts and details, handle conflict and make effective decisions under pressure. The employee must have the ability to effectively manage the stress of working with students, parents, and other employees representing diverse cultures, personalities, and work styles in a dynamic work environment. The Anchorage School District is committed to providing reasonable accommodations, according to applicable state and federal laws, to all individuals with a qualified physical or mental disability. Work Environment Work is performed in a professional environment with a wide variety of individuals having differing functions, personalities and abilities, including working with diverse groups of people in a variety of different settings. While performing the duties of this job the employee may be regularly exposed to a video display. The employee may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Additional Job Information This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties as requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. Anchorage School District (ASD) employees must possess the ability to read and write in English. This also includes the ability to communicate in English with school staff, co-workers, and the public; as well as have the ability to comprehend and carry out oral and written directions and understand and follow English instructions and written documents. Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a satisfactory criminal background check. For certificated positions, this is in addition to the background check conducted through the certification process with the Alaska State Department of Education and Early Development (DEED). This position may be required to work in ASD facilities on the military installations (JBER). Please visit the government REAL ID website for additional information. The Anchorage School District is an equal employment opportunity employer.