TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Length of position: 12 months per year

Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Serve as a statewide resource specialist to professionals and students who are deaf or hard of hearing working with their families.  Special emphasis on development of state-of-the-art online resources and interactive training promoting technology integration both in the service of the curriculum and as a vehicle for collaborative learning opportunities with other students state or nationwide.   Additional support to all outreach staff to maximize web-based service delivery. Provide highly complex consultative services on statewide technology initiatives with ESCs, Regional Day School Programs and private entities serving deaf and hard of hearing students and SOC staff.  Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Deaf Education, Special Education, General Education, or Technology Integration or related field.
• 2 years instructional experience in higher education and/or K-12 classroom
• 2 years experience developing and/or integrating technology in instruction.
• 2 years experience shooting and editing video.
• Sign Language: The ultimate required proficiency level for the position using the levels designated in the Signed Communication Proficiency Interview (SCPI) is ADVANCED. If hired with a sign language proficiency level below this level, you are required to participate in signed communication learning opportunities on a regular basis until you have achieved the sign language proficiency level assigned to your position.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Graduate degree in technology integration, education, deaf education, curriculum and instruction, technology education or related field
• Sign communication proficiency higher than minimally required for hire.
• Additional 2 years experience in education of school or college age deaf and hard of hearing students.
• 1 year experience in adult education.
• Web design experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES/ATTRIBUTES

• Instructional Knowledge— knowledge of content; instructional methodologies, classroom management
• Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Effective Communication—the individual must be able to appropriately communicate with colleagues, students, parents, families, administrators, supervisors, and the public.
• Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently, and develops realistic action plans.
• Quality control—the individual demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness and monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Dependability—the individual is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Safety and security—the individual actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Interpersonal Skills—the individual maintains confidentiality, remains open to others’ ideas and exhibits willingness to try new things.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Online Resource Development

• Create online learning resources that employ up-to-date technology tools and best practices with special emphasis on materials suited to deaf and hard of hearing students.
• Coordinate talent to create effective technology-infused, content based-lesson plans aligned with Texas state standards and clearly detailed (including standards/topic, grade level, time allotment, goals, objectives, procedures, materials, activities, assessments) for others to be able to easily use or adapt.
• Create, gather and organize educational technology strategies, resources, and tools suitable/accessible to deaf and hard of hearing students in an online repository for easy reference.
• Collaborate with TSD SOC and distance learning staff, curriculum specialists and professionals to create ready-to-use lessons/units exemplifying technology integration and serving as both a model and a template for replication and expansion.
• Produce and edit video resources for class instruction.
• Provide guidance on resource website including content, updates, responsive design, and plan for future changes.
• Provide leadership and training to create state-of-the-art interactive learning opportunities and resources for families, students and professionals and Educational Services Centers, Regional Day School Programs and private entities.  

Provision of Professional Development

• Provide training on the Texas Education Agency Technology Applications, benchmarks, and professional development expectations.
• Provide workshops (alone or in collaboration with ERCOD, Distance Learning, Curriculum, Instructional, or IT Staff) on technology integration (including best practices, materials, and techniques) at local or cluster sites and at large-scale statewide conferences.
• Provide workshops on tools and strategies for creating accessible digital resources/materials for deaf and hard of hearing students.

Resource Sharing and Collaborations

• Develop collaborative educational projects with stakeholders statewide.
• Promote resources through a variety of formats including website, social media, presentations, videos, displays, etc.
• To the extent possible, use and collaborate with established statewide resources such as Texas Virtual School Network, Technology Applications Teacher Network Group, and Education Service Centers Distance Learning services.

Program Improvement/Evaluation

• Conduct surveys and evaluations, and review data on service delivery methods, outputs, and activities to identify gaps in resources or areas in need of improvement.
• Stay informed of current and emerging technologies with practical applications for classroom and/or outreach work.
• Seek grants for program improvement/expansion.

SUPERVISOR

Project Manager III

MILITARY OCCUPATION SPECIALTY (MOS) CODE: Program Specialist V 1574/B21

See page 2 at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf