Special Day Class Teacher - Autism (Preschool)

FRESNO COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS CERTIFICATED POSITION JCN: 506 EXEMPT SPECIAL DAY CLASS TEACHER – AUTISM BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of the Assistant Superintendent, Student Services Division and assigned supervisor, provide an instructional program for students on the Autism Spectrum in a classroom and/or community-based settings; design and offer educational opportunities to students in support of students becoming active participants in home, school and community life.
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: ESSENTIAL DUTIES: • Attend to student health and personal hygiene needs on a daily basis which may include, but not be limited to, toileting, diapering, dispensing medication and tube feeding; consult with assigned nurse on a regular basis to ensure student needs are met.
• Complete evaluations, additional assessments and triennial re-evaluations within county, state and federal guidelines and develop legally compliant assessment reports and Individual Educational Programs (IEP).
• Conduct educational assessments related to student access to the academic core curriculum and progress towards meeting instructional academic goals; provide instruction and special education support to individuals with average to mildly delayed intellectual disability who have a diagnosis of Autism in preschool through elementary grades.
• Conduct performance testing as required.
• Confer and communicate with parents and/or caregivers and professional staff members regarding student progress.
• Coordinate and plan the work of instructional staff assigned to the program and provide input into performance evaluation process.
• Demonstrate working knowledge of lesson objectives and effective use of direct teacher instruction; provide appropriate creative learning experiences based on IEP in the areas of self-help and health, language and communication, social behavior, academic skills, and career/vocational skills.
• Design educational program(s) and provide instruction to meet the individual learning needs of students, which have been identified in an IEP, with consideration of the least restrictive environment.
• Determine professional goals and objectives through the assessment and evaluation process.
• Maintain data collection and anecdotal records to substantiate student progress toward annual goals.
• Maintain professional standards and competence through participation in professional growth opportunities provided by the office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools (FCSS) and in self-directed professional growth activities.
• Monitor student progress on a regular basis and participate in the review and revision of the IEP.
• Prepare and maintain a current work schedule which may include but not be limited to lesson plans for substitute teachers.
• Prepare, maintain and submit accurate records, reports, files and documentation as assigned for each student enrolled, including but not limited to, CASEMIS, Medi-Cal reports and billing, diagnostic information, student goals and objectives, conference information from parents and other professionals; complete and submit attendance records and all other reports; prepare county and/or state reports as assigned and/or required.
Special Day Class Teacher – Autism Page 2 of 5 • Provide appropriate, empirically based, and creative learning experiences focusing on the common core curriculum and the foundational skill areas.
• Utilize comprehensive assessment results in developing appropriate IEP goals and objectives to accommodate the wide variety of individual needs of each student.
• Work closely and cooperatively with general education classroom teachers, Paraeducators, assigned supervisor, site administrator, Designated Instructional Service (DIS) staff, nurse, psychologist, parents and community agencies to provide a complete program; serve as a liaison to community agencies, parents, districts, contracted service providers, and caregivers.
• Attend and participate in a variety of assigned meetings, committees, conferences, inservices and/or special events.
• Comply with schedules, policies, regulations, procedures, orders, and directives of the County Superintendent.
• Exhibit professionally appropriate interpersonal skills including but not limited to tact, patience, flexibility and courtesy.
• Maintain a safe work environment.
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including but not limited to a computer and assigned software applications.
• Serve as a liaison between County Superintendent and administrators, personnel, outside organizations or the public concerning assigned area.
• Serve as a technical resource concerning assigned program, function or instructional area.
• Work collaboratively and maintain effective working relationships with others in the course of work in assigned area.
OTHER DUTIES: • Drive a vehicle to conduct work, using own transportation.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: KNOWLEDGE OF: • Behavior management strategies and other empirically validated strategies appropriate for students with Autism.
• Conflict resolution.
• Current techniques and procedures regarding curriculum and instructional design and delivery systems and program evaluation strategies as they relate to teaching students with exceptional needs.
• Current techniques to maintain a safe environment and provide support for a physically aggressive and/or self-abusive student in a non-harmful manner.
• Current techniques to prevent or intervene appropriately in order to defuse escalating student behavior.
• Facilitating the successful integration and mainstreaming of students into the regular program, as appropriate.
• Impact of the disability on family interactions and development.
• Operation of specialized health care equipment and procedures for personal care of students.
• Planning, organization, coordination and implementation of the operations and activities of an assigned program, function or instructional area to enhance educational effectiveness and efficiency of the county office.
• Principles, procedures and techniques in the development and implementation of staff Special Day Class Teacher – Autism Page 3 of 5 training activities.
• Research methods, report writing and record keeping techniques.
• Standards of training and providing work direction.
• Proper English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary in all forms of communication.
• State Education Code, local, state and federal laws, codes, regulations and requirements and county office organization, operations, policies and objectives as related to assigned activities and/or instructional area.
• Theoretical and technical aspects of field of specialty.
ABILITY TO: • Coordinate communications, information, personnel, and resources to ensure smooth and efficient activities in job assignment and/or assigned program.
• Develop and implement modifications and intervention strategies to match specific student needs.
• Facilitate the successful integration and mainstreaming of students in the regular program as appropriate.
• Maintain a safe environment and provide support for physically aggressive and/or selfabusive students in a non-harmful manner.
• Maintain a variety of reports and files related to job assignment and/or assigned program.
• Maintain systems, policies, standards and procedures in compliance with a variety of federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations as they relate to job assignment and/or assigned program.
• Monitor and assess operations and activities of assigned program, function or instructional area for educational effectiveness and operational efficiency.
• Plan, organize, coordinate, and implement operations and activities of an assigned program, function or instructional area to enhance educational effectiveness and efficiency of the county office.
• Prevent and/or intervene appropriately in order to defuse escalating student behavior.
• Provide appropriate, effective and motivating learning experiences for students from a wide range of socio-economic levels and cultural backgrounds.
• Collect data, analyze and evaluate situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Drive a vehicle to conduct work.
• Interpret, apply, and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Maintain consistent, reasonably regular, punctual attendance consistent with federal, state and local standards.
• Perform non-instructional duties and responsibilities in an efficient and effective manner.
• Safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Work confidentially and with discretion.
• Work independently with little direction.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: EDUCATION: • Bachelor’s degree.
• Master’s degree in Special Education preferred.
Special Day Class Teacher – Autism Page 4 of 5 EXPERIENCE: • Two years teaching in a classroom serving students with Autism disabilities preferred.
• Special training and/or experience working with students requiring intensive services preferred.
LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: • Valid California Preliminary/Clear Education Specialist Mild/Moderate Disabilities or Moderate/Severe Credential or Valid Level I/Level II Education Specialist Moderate/Severe Credential or Valid Level I/Level II Mild/Moderate Credential with added authorization in Special Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders or eligibility to be granted a permit authorizing teaching of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
• Valid California driver’s license; when driving for work, maintain automobile liability insurance in accordance with California Insurance Code section 11580.
1 or maintain other statutorily authorized financial responsibility.
• Enrollment in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Government Employer Pull Notice Program at time of hire and throughout employment with the County Superintendent.
• Valid Defensive Driving Certificate issued by an authorized agency within one year of date of hire.
• Valid First Aid and CPR Certificate issued by an authorized agency within one year of date of hire.
• Valid Non-Violent Crisis Intervention Certificate issued by an authorized agency within one year of date of hire.
• This position requires a pre-placement medical assessment (paid for by FCSS) at a clinic selected by the county office.
Any offer of employment is contingent upon successful certification by designated physician that applicant is able to perform essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
WORKING CONDITIONS: ENVIRONMENT: • Drive a vehicle to conduct work, using own transportation.
• Office and/or school facility environment; school playground or campus and community based instructional environments, emphasizing age-appropriate student instruction and training.
• Regular interruptions.
• Small and large group meetings.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: • Bending at the waist, kneeling or crouching; climb or balance.
• Eyesight corrected or uncorrected sufficient to read a variety of materials including but not limited to fine print.
• Hearing with or without use of hearing aid(s) sufficient to hear any conversation with others.
Understandable voice and speech patterns.
• Manual dexterity and coordination sufficient to operate office and/or classroom equipment.
• Sitting, standing and/or walking for extended periods of time.
• Use hands to handle and/or feel; reach with hands and arms.
• Must frequently lift, push, pull or carry up to ten (10) pounds and occasionally lift and/or move at least fifty (50) pounds.
The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that Special Day Class Teacher – Autism Page 5 of 5 must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position, subject to reasonable accommodation.
HAZARDS: • Abusive and potentially harmful outbursts from students which may pose a threat to staff and/or students.
• Periodic outbursts from students including, but not limited to, yelling, crying, running and/or loud speech.
• Possible contact with blood and/or other body fluid(s).
This position description may not be an exhaustive list of all duties, knowledge, or abilities associated with this classification, however it is intended to accurately reflect the principal job elements.
Related duties, knowledge, or abilities to those expressly stated may also be required for successful performance of the position.
APPROVED: Effective: 05/14/2013 Revised: 04/12/2018; 03/23/2021 Job Type: Full-time Pay: $57,815.
00 - $104,147.
00 per year Benefits: * Dental insurance * Health insurance * Health savings account * Paid time off * Retirement plan * Vision insurance Schedule: * Monday to Friday Work Location: In person