Administrative Assistant 5, Visually Impaired

Job Title: Administrative Assistant 5

Position Function: The purpose of this position is to provide support to the instructional program with specific responsibilities for transcribing educational materials into alternative format (braille, large print, tape) for visually impaired students; responding to questions from students, parents, and/or staff regarding methodologies and available resources; and maintaining resource inventory for teachers and students.

Essential Performance Responsibilities:

• Transcribes educational materials into appropriate method (e.g. braille, large print) for the purpose of providing educational materials for students with visual impairments.
• Operates or collaborates with staff to operate large print copier and embosser for the purpose of reformatting materials to meet the needs of individual students.
• Collaborates with the staff for the purpose of obtaining instructional materials for use with visually impaired students.
• Repairs alternate format materials (e.g. recopy, replace pages, etc.) for the purpose of providing educational materials for visually impaired students.
• Assists with ordering an inventory of supplies and equipment for the purpose of ensuring availability of materials for students and teachers.
• Responds to inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources for the purpose of providing information and/or direction as may be required.
• Supports assigned staff and administrators for the purpose of ensuring the orderly operations of the Visually Impaired Program.
• Generates reverse Braille translation for the purpose of providing transcription for use by sighted persons.
• Maintains databases, spreadsheets, letters/memos and presentations.

Additional Duties: Assists with additional duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Equipment: This position may require the ability to use embosser and iPads in addition to basic office equipment such as computers, copiers, scanners, and fax machine. Must always comply with USD 259's guidelines for equipment use.

Travel: Limited travel between schools and central offices may be required.

Physical and Mental Demands:

• Work in standard office and school building environments
• Additional demands upon request of Supervisor

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of Braille (Literary and Nemeth) Codes; Braille transcribing; Braille Translation Software; Braille Embosser; Textbook Formatting; Tactile Graphics; office methods and practices; and concepts of grammar and punctuation; assistive technology that specifically meets the needs of the visually impaired.
• Ability to have strong attention to detail; meet deadlines and schedules; and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and written, in order to communicate with others inside and outside of the organization for the purpose of giving and obtaining information
• Advanced computer competency and the ability to effectively use Duxbury, Tiger Software, Adobe, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to comply with instructions, procedures, standards, and policies that are obtained within the organization using professional discretion
• Excellent time management skills, good judgment, problem solving, and analytical abilities in order to effectively meet deadlines
• Ability to write with clarity and consistency
• Ability to provide the highest level customer service
• Displays eagerness and the ability to learn new methods, procedures, and techniques
• Displays a significant degree of professionalism and confidentiality
• Ability to plan and organize effectively to achieve greater results
• Ability to conform to proper standards of professional dress and appearance
• Knowledge of company's mission, purpose, goals and the role of every employee in achieving each of them

Interrelations:

• Contact with personnel within the district and with customers and vendors
• Will be working under the direct supervision of the department supervisor in order to complete day to day tasks
• Will be working with a diverse population requiring the ability to handle all situations with tact and diplomacy
• Must understand and respond appropriately to customer needs and maintain a positive attitude with all customers and colleagues
• Expected to interact with all internal and external customers in a friendly, professional manner and provide quick, responsive customer service

Employee Punctuality and Appearance:

• In order for schools to operate effectively, employees are expected to perform all assigned duties and work all scheduled hours during each designated workday, unless the employee has received approved leave
• Any deviation from assigned hours must have prior approval from the employee's supervisor or building administrator
• All employees are required to report to work dressed in a manner that reflects a positive image of USD 259 and is appropriate for their position

Qualification Profile:

• A High School diploma or GED is required
• National Certification by the Library of Congress in Literary Braille
• Knowledge and experience in Nemeth Braille
• Advanced skills in Braille Translation Software (Duxbury, Tiger, etc.)
• Minimum of six months experience in Braille transcription is required for this position

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt