Aspen School District seeks a Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. 

Position Title: Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Department: Special Education 

Reports to: Student Services Director

Classification: Certified Full-time Exempt

Contract Period: 9 Month (185 days with some variance depending on the year)

Compensation: Certified Salary Schedule

ASD offers district funded employee and dependent health benefits including medical, vision, dental, and life insurance to benefit eligible employees. Other benefits include (as eligible): paid leave, CO PERA (pension plan) enrollment with district contribution, TSA options, free transportation for employees from Carbondale to Aspen or a commuter stipened for any employee living beyond Carbondale, employee assistance program, wellness program, and supplemental insurance (ie cancer, disability, etc).

I: Position Summary

• The Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of hearing will work with students who are deaf/hard of hearing; assisting students and staff so that the students can be successful in the least restrictive setting.

II: Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Review available medical/audiological information pertaining to the student’s performance and probable use of hearing; obtaining updated medical/audiological information and share with parent, teacher, and other appropriate staff.
• Communicate with Consultant and Diagnostic staff as appropriate.
• Monitor the condition and use of appropriate amplification equipment for each student.
• Provide instruction to each deaf/hard of hearing student on the class list, as appropriate.
• Make regular contact with parents of students and keep records of contacts, including updating short range objectives and other appropriate records.
• Provide emotional support for students and families to promote understanding and coping skills for children’s hearing loss.
• Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the areas of language development and language refinement needed by deaf/hard of hearing children.
• Demonstrate skills necessary to communicate effectively and to provide a complete English model for deaf/hard of hearing children using a Total Communication approach.
• Demonstrate knowledge and ability to implement the following specialized areas:
  auditory training speech and speech reading monitoring amplification use and maintenance of hearing aids use of interpreter Total Communication.
• Establish open, frequent communication with parents, staff, and related services personnel.
• Maintain schedule, be punctual, and meet assigned responsibilities.
• Establish and maintain a positive atmosphere in working with staff in order that this atmosphere may be carried over for the deaf/hard of hearing student.
• Use good organizational skills and flexibility to establish appropriate schedules for student and self.
• Performs work associated with standards-based instruction: prepares lesson plans, develops input for and presents daily instructional/learning activities based upon the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and school reform tenets under the direction of the Principal, maintains a positive learning environment utilizing appropriate positive behavior support strategies, keeps learners on task and engaged.

• Demonstrates knowledge / skill in the development and use of accommodations for learners who are Deaf / hard-of-hearing, and further, in the areas of: task analysis, assessment, progress monitoring, behavior management, organization / planning, curriculum development, current technology practices, parent relations and teamwork.

• Coordinates effectively with other staff in facilitating instruction, supporting school reform efforts, strategic planning, and positively contributing to co-curricular activities. 

• Other duties as assigned.

III: Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understands the IEP process
• Ability to supervise, instruct, motivate, and problem solve with assigned paraprofessionals as well as other colleagues
• Experience with special populations
• Displays organization, preparation, and punctuality, meeting deadlines, and following through on commitments
• Handles disagreements and conflicts in a diplomatic manner, maintaining composure during difficult conflict situations, to prevent decreased effectiveness over time
• Maintains ethics, legal responsibility, and confidentiality
• Develops and maintains rapport and effective relationships with children and adults contacted in the course of work
• Actively contributes to the goals and success of all team members through collaboration, cooperation, and flexibility in team discussions and decision making, giving and receiving constructive feedback
• Stays current on professional knowledge and technical skills through training opportunities and participation in relevant professional committees and organizations
• Formulates goals that include specific, measurable outcomes and develops new goals when current goals have been achieved
• Observes and adheres to district policies and procedures 

IV: Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelors Degree is required for this position.
• Masters Degree preferred. 

• Must hold or be eligible for appropriate educator licensure in the State of Colorado, endorsed as a Special Education Specialist: Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing, or comparable endorsement.

V: Work Environment

• Mostly clean and comfortable surroundings.
• May be exposed to body fluids.

VI: Essential Physical Requirements

• Heavy lifting is required to assist students in ambulation, toileting (including diaper changing) and other personal needs and for management and de-escalation of students with aggressive behaviors.

VIII: Acknowledgement

• This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by this employee. The successful candidate will be required to follow any other instructions and to perform any other related duties as assigned by the Director or Building Administrators. The Aspen School District reserves the right to update, revise, or change this job description and related duties at any time.