Special Education Assistant, (Continuous Recruitment), Box NYSSB - SEA

Duties

The New York State Education Department’s (NYSED) Office of Education Policy is seeking candidates for a Special Education Assistant position in the New York State School for the Blind. Under the direction of an Instructor, the incumbent of this position will perform duties that are instructional in nature and deliver direct care to students. Duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide specialized instruction to individual or groups of students under the direction of a certified teacher;
• Gather and provide information about students to assist in the development of appropriate learning experiences;
• Assist students in the use of available instructional resources and assist in the development of instructional materials;
• Provide appropriate care, including hygiene needs for medically fragile students;
• Assist in instructional programs in arts, crafts, music, and related instruction as required; and
• Perform other duties as requested by supervisor.

Minimum qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must have a High School diploma or a High School Equivalency diploma AND the ability to perform moderate to heavy lifting of children AND a New York State Teaching Assistant certificate, or be eligible to obtain a New York State Teaching Assistant certificate within one (1) year of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Preference may be given to candidates who have the following:
• Experience working with severe to profoundly disabled and/or blind/sensory impaired children.
• Possession of, or willing to secure, and Article 19A (CDL) school bus driver certification.

It is essential that candidates clearly and concisely indicate exactly how they meet the above minimum qualifications in their resume. Failure to show how you meet the minimum qualifications above may result in disqualification and removal from consideration.

Additional comments

This will be a permanent, unclassified, appointment, consisting of 183 days during the school year, 31 days during the summer, and an additional five days for program-related activities, for a total of 219 days. Promotions and transfers may change appointees’ negotiating unit. Candidates should be aware that changes in negotiating units may affect their salary, insurance, and other benefits. Verification of High School diploma or a High School Equivalency diploma will be required at the time of interview for all candidates. Verification of degree and/or transcripts and valid New York State Teaching Assistant certificate or be eligible to obtain a New York State Teaching Assistant certificate within one (1) year of employment will be required for all candidates at the time of interview. Candidates are required to possess valid New York State Teaching Assistant certificate or obtain a New York State Teaching Assistant certificate within one (1) year of employment. Continued employment is dependent upon maintaining valid New York State Teaching Assistant certificate including adhering to all relevant professional development and training requirements as specified by the Office of Teaching Initiatives. Candidates with initial New York State teaching certification will be required to obtain a professional New York State Teaching Assistant certificate prior to the expiration of the initial New York State teaching certification. Candidates with permanent or professional teaching certification must maintain valid certification and active registration. Failure to maintain a valid New York State Teaching Assistant certificate will result in removal from employment. Fingerprinting through the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Division of Criminal Justice Services, a background check with the Office of Children and Family Services and clearance from the Justice Center Staff Exclusion List is required for employment. Fees associated with this process are at the applicant’s expense. Fees associated with fingerprinting do not apply if applicant’s fingerprints exist in the NYS TEACH System. The work schedule for this position includes hours of Monday through Friday 7:00am-3:00 pm.

This position leads to a maximum salary of $46,843 to $54,773 based on annual performance advances and education level.

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

*Salary will be based on the employees credentials as outlined:
• Employees with a current high school diploma will be placed in PEF Salary Grade 6.
• Employees with a Level I or Level II Teaching Assistant certificate, or an Initial Teaching Assistant Certificate, will be placed in PEF Salary Grade 7.
• Employees with a Level III Teaching Assistant certificate, a Teaching Assistant Continuing Certificate, or a Professional Teaching Assistant certificate will be placed in PEF Salary Grade 9.

Special Education Assistants may also earn an annual stipend ranging from $500 to $2,500 based on demonstrated proficiency in either Braille (NYSSB) or American Sign Language (NYSSD).

Employees in the SEA title may earn a stipend of up to $2,500 per academic year based on demonstrated proficiency in either Braille or American Sign Language (ASL). Employees are not eligible to receive both stipends in an academic year. Eligibility is based upon the employee’s awarded credentials as of the first day of each academic year.

Employees at the New York State School for the Blind may receive a stipend for demonstrated Braille proficiency. Measurement of Braille proficiency will be determined through obtaining the Library of Congress Certification in Braille Transcribing and Proofreading, issued by the Library of Congress. This would be a $2,500 annual stipend based on the possession of the required certification, as no intermediate proficiency credentials are available under the Library of Congress program.

Civil service details

• Jurisdictional class: Unclassified Service
• Appointment type: Permanent
• Salary grade: NS
• Bargaining unit: PS&T - Professional, Scientific, and Technical (PEF)
• NY HELPS: No