CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Range 22 San Juan Capistrano, California

INDEPENDENCE FACILITATOR - SPECIAL EDUCATION

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, to provide support to students in either group settings, on an individual basis and/or in a structured classroom environment between the ages of 3-21 in order to facilitate independence and integration into a classroom setting; assist students with behavior, instruction, and other related areas as required.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Assists instructional personnel in the education, training and supervision of students with special needs such as severe learning handicaps, emotional disturbances and/or physical handicaps.

2. Applies strategies and techniques to foster independence, self-reliance and social skills. 3. Assists instructional personnel with the delivery of lesson plans, presentation of learning materials and in

the conduct of instructional exercises. 4. Monitors students progress regarding individual educational plans and goals. 5. Monitors and assists individual students and/or small groups of students with special learning needs in a

variety of instructional activities as a follow-up to the presentation of instructional lessons by instructional personnel.

6. Uses positive reinforcement strategies and other appropriate techniques to assist students in the development of appropriate behavior.

7. Assists in the preparation of a variety of instructional materials and learning aids geared to the instructional level of children with special learning needs.

8. Oversees and supervises students during classroom activities, recesses and field trips. 9. Operates and assists students in the operation of a variety of instructional aids and media and computer

assisted instructional equipment. 10. Maintains or assists in maintaining an orderly, safe, attractive, and positive learning environment by

directing students into safe learning and recreational activities. 11. May assist students with basic personal care activities such as dressing, toileting or bathroom including

catheterization, feeding and grooming. 12. Uses good judgment regarding appropriate action to assist injured or physically ill students and to assist in

medical emergencies. 13. May accompany students to work sites providing job training. 14. May assist students on and off bus. 15. May control students demonstrating disruptive behavior problems. 16. May administer and score a variety of tests and record results. 17. May perform duties involving arrival/departure of students such as crosswalk duty and supervising children

along roadway. 18. May perform routine clerical tasks, such as typing, computer operations, filing, photocopying, maintain a

variety of records and files, including confidential student records and information. 19. Attends specialized training as required. 20. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

Basic concepts of child growth and development and developmental behavior characteristics, particularly pertaining to pupils with special learning needs; various learning handicaps, disabilities and medical

CAPISTRANO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT Independence Facilitator - Special Education – Page 2

conditions requiring special attention; behavior management strategies and techniques relating to pupils experiencing atypical control problems; basic subjects including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, reading and computer use; routine record keeping techniques.

Ability to:

Demonstrate an understanding, patient, and receptive attitude toward students of varied age groups, particularly those exhibiting specialized needs; appropriately manage student behavior and guide students toward more acceptable social behaviors; quickly recognize and respond to emergency situations pertaining to a variety of student medical conditions; assist students with basic personal care activities such as dressing or toileting; utilize a variety of instructional materials and procedures to enhance a positive educational environment; perform routine clerical tasks and operate a variety of educational and office related machines and equipment; communicate effectively in oral and written form; appreciate human diversity; understand and carry out oral and written instructions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; comply with the District’s customer service standards, as outlined in Board policy.

Education/Experience:

Any combination equivalent to: Completion of the twelfth grade, supplemented by courses in child care, psychology, education and training of special needs students; some experience in working with students with various handicaps in a structured environment preferred.

License/Certificate Requirement:

Possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Mandatory participation in CUSD staff development designed to increase skills related to the job functions of an Independence Facilitator.

Possession of valid CPR and First Aid Certification.

Pass a District proficiency test in English usage, language arts and math or have passed CBEST or have completed two years of college.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Environment: Work is performed primarily in a classroom setting with exposure to students with a variety of emotional and physical handicaps, disabilities and atypical control problems; may be exposed to bodily fluids or contagious diseases.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in a classroom setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.

Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction.

Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

6/02 Revised 9/03;4/06;7/07