Activities Specialist 1

Residential Counselor

Works with students at Iowa School for the Deaf (ISD) and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (IESBVI).   To learn more about ISD see www.iowaschoolforthedeaf.org.  Learn more about IESBVI at www.iesbvi.org.

Responsible for supervising students and providing activities, instruction, guidance, and direction in development in areas of independence; appropriate social, emotional, linguistic development; and the Expanded Core Curriculum.   Primarily works evening shift.   Occasional weekends and other shifts may be required.

• Primary caretaker for deaf students and/or blind students primarily during non-classroom hours - typically during the evening shift.  Ensures students are safe and engaging in appropriate activities.   Ensures the dormitory and other areas used are safe and secure for students.

• Provides support for students: social, emotional, and educational.   Counsels students; provides guidance.

• Plans and implements appropriate social, emotional, physical, and intellectual activities for students. Works with Student Life Advisor (SLA) and others to develop individualized student plans. Collaborates with education program to support student educational goals.  Provides language immersion and supports for language development.

• Communicates with colleagues, supervisiors, and parents regarding student-related issues, concerns, and progress.  Fosters positive, collaborative relationships with parents and other professionals.

• Ensures that dormitory rules are followed by the students; uses disciplinary action when necessary and reinforces positive behaviors using PBIS.

• Completes required documentation regarding students.  Provides feedback for evaluations, IEPs, and dorm individualized student plans.

• Tends to medical and personal needs of students.  Participates in medication passing as needed.

• Assists with driving and chaperoning weekend trips between dormitory and home (minivans).   May occasionally supervise out-of-town overnight trips for school activities.

Hours:

Full-time, 195 work days.  Salary Range -   $42,844 - $62,728 for 195 work days a year

Work days follows typical school calendar.  Typically evenings, after school shift; may be Sunday

• Thursday; or Monday

• Friday schedule.  Other days/weekends may be assigned occasionally.

A successful candidate will bring or have the ability and desire to learn:

•  Ability to plan, organize, arrange, teach, and lead activities that meet the needs of students.

• Ability to recognize/assess the usefulness of techniques and practices as they relates to the students and the developmental plan for the student.

• Ability to secure the confidence, respect, and cooperation of youths and exercise tact, initiative and good judgment in dealing with them.

• Displays a high level of initiative, effort and commitment towards working efficiently.   Works with minimal supervision.   Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention to detail.

• Knowledge of appropriate methods of handling upset students and misbehaving students.

• Ability to anticipate disciplinary problems and to cope quickly and decisively with unexpected situations and behavior.

• Ability to quickly perceive and observe problems as they arise.

• Ability to report on the students' abilities and progress in clear, concise terms.

• Ability to work and communicate with others professionally and to foster positive relationships with students, parents, and other professionals.

• Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information.  Listens to others and responds appropriately.

• Display high standards of ethical conduct.

• Follows policy.   Cooperates with supervisor and colleagues.  Aligns behavior with the goals of the organization.

• Works with minimal supervision.  Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention to detail.

• Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust and group identity.  Fosters commitment and team spirit.

• Must have the ability to reach the level of sign language proficiency designated for the position within the timeframe established by policy.  Willingness to use sign language as needed.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: 

• Experience working in a school environment.

• Experience working with youth or disabled individuals.

• Sign language skills or experience or knowledge of deafness and/or vision related fields.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Opportunities to make a difference in the lives of students at Iowa School for the Deaf and Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

• Collaborative, positive work environment

• Competitive salary and benefits package:

https://das.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/hr/documents/employment/Benefits_Beyond_the_Paycheck.pdf(Download PDF reader)

It is the policy of the Iowa Department of Education not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, political party affiliation, or actual or potential parental, family or marital status in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code sections 216.9 and 256.10(2), Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. § 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S.C.§§ 1681 - 1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.). If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with this policy by the Iowa Department of Education, please contact the legal counsel for the Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319-0146, telephone number: 515-281-5295, or the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison Street, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661-4544, telephone number: 312-730- 1560, FAX number: 312-730-1576, TDD number: 877-521-2172, email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.Graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in art, the behavioral/social sciences, industrial therapy, music, occupational therapy, physical education, recreation, rehabilitation, therapeutic recreation, or other closely related fields;

OR

experience at a level comparable to Activities Assistant or above may be substituted in any equivalent combination for the required education on the basis of one year of experience for each thirty-semester hours of education to a maximum of four years;

OR

employees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to two years of full-time work as an Activities Assistant.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.Designated positions in this job class require applicants to obtain the required Commercial Drivers License and endorsements within a period of time as determined by the appointing authority at the time of hire.