Job Title

Project Search Site Instructor

Salary Scale

TCH

Location

Advantage Academy 

PSC Code 

012006

Reports To

Director of Advantage Academy

Shift Type

Full Time/Exempt 

General Statement of Job 

The individual selected for this licensed teaching position will serve as the lead instructor for a Project SEARCH. Will work with the host business in order for students with an Individual Education Program (IEP) to gain job skills and work experience. The person selected for this position will be expected to adhere to the Florence 1 Schools  Professional Domains and Standards for Licensed Employees.  The Project Search Site Instructor will help identify a student’s strengths, interests, and abilities related to skill acquisition, job development and placement. To seek an appropriate community job site consistent with the students interests and skills. To determine and refer to appropriate community support services for training and successful employment. To work with local businesses and industry to meet their employment needs.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

• Knowledge of a variety of student disabilities or circumstances that may impact performance in various work settings  
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.  
• Excellent organizational skills  
• Ability to self-direct and to make decisions in absence of supervisor  
• Computer skills including word processing, databases, and PowerPoint  
• Independent work ethic for self management of schedule  
• Utilizes sound judgment and decision-making skills.  
• Work as a productive team member with families, affiliate school and agency personnel.  
• Ability and willingness to tolerate light to moderate activity to include long periods of standing or walking depending on demands of each site 
• Participate in trans-disciplinary meetings, multidisciplinary staffing, annual reviews, parent conferences, and faculty meetings. 
• Implement student IEPs utilizing teaching methods, materials, and adaptations appropriate to meet individual student needs 
• Instruct students on employability skills such as communication, problem solving, teamwork, grooming, budgeting and self-advocacy; correlate instructional content with training and student career objectives.
• Identify internship sites within the host business so that students can participate in a variety of work experiences in order to build marketable, competitive skills leading to employment.  
• Develop sites that will increase job specific skills, work quality and productivity. 
• Coordinate travel training (when appropriate) through public transportation or teach students to be able to access private transportation independently. 
• Coordinate Advisory Committee meetings with all partners represented including parents/guardians. 
• Develop a job-training plan with stakeholders and appropriate support personnel.
• Develop linkages among agencies to assure effective transition from school to work or from current placement to successful community employment.
• Schedule, plan, and implement monthly written communication with parents/guardians and other parties.  
• Schedule, plan, and implement Open Houses to publicize the program and recruit potential candidates. 
• Maintain effective lines of communication between business liaison, students, job coaches, school personnel, and parents/guardians. 
• Develop and maintain information and resources for school-based teachers and administrators.
• Attend IEP meetings for possible student recruits. 
• Recruit and interview appropriate students with disabilities for Project SEARCH® program. 
• Provide direct instruction to students. 
• Perform other duties related to the position, as assigned.

Essential Functions 

Physical Requirements:  

Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including a computer, telephone, basic office equipment, vehicle.  Must be able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.  Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for periods of time.  Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of up to fifty pounds.

Data Conception: 

Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.

Interpersonal Communications:  

Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information.  Includes giving assignments and/or directions to subordinates and receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor.

Language Ability:  

Requires ability to read a variety of laws, policies and procedures, technical and professional studies, budget documents, trade publications, etc. Requires the ability to prepare budgets, performance appraisals, policies, reports, funding plans, correspondence, etc. with proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar, using all parts of speech.  Requires the ability to speak with and before others with poise, voice control and confidence.

Intelligence:  

Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in written, mathematical or diagrammatic form; to deal with several abstract or concrete variables.  Requires the ability to apply influence systems in managing a staff; to learn and understand complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation.  Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.

Verbal Aptitude:  

Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow and give verbal and written instructions; to counsel and teach employees. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with persons of varying educational backgrounds and in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including education, budgeting, vocational subjects, etc.

Numerical Aptitude: 

Requires the ability to add and subtract totals, to multiply and divide, to utilize mathematical formulas, to determine percentages and decimals and to determine time.  Must be able to use practical applications of statistics, geometry and algebra.

Form/Spatial Aptitude:  

Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape, and visually read various information.

Motor Coordination:  

Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office machinery; to operate motor vehicles.

Manual Dexterity:  

Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc.  Must have minimal levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.

Interpersonal Temperament:  

Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions.  Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations or tight deadlines.

Physical Communications:  

Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking: expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing:  perceiving nature of sounds by ear)

Training And Education 

Requires a Bachelor’s degree with 3 years of experience in successful classroom teaching.  Successful performance in position held at time of application.  Must possess or be able to acquire by time of appointment to the position, a special education license issued by the South Carolina Department of Education. 

Performance Evaluation Criteria 

Job Knowledge: 

Has thorough knowledge of the methods, procedures and policies of Florence 1 Schools as they pertain to the performance of duties of the Project Search Site Instructor. Is knowledgeable in the laws, ordinances, standards and regulations pertaining to the specific duties and responsibilities of the position.  Has considerable knowledge of the functions and interrelationships of Florence 1 Schools and other governmental agencies.  Has the ability to offer guidance and assistance to co-workers and employees of other departments as required.  Has ability to clearly and concisely present information to a variety of audiences; to facilitate group processes; to arbitrate conflict and to instruct adult learners. Has thorough knowledge of current staff development trends.  Has the ability to use independent judgment as needed in performing routine and not-routine tasks.  Is ability to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision.  Is able to read and interpret complex professional reports, statistical reports and related materials pertaining to the responsibilities of the job.  Knows how to prepare program records, schedules, training materials, correspondence, etc. Has a comprehensive knowledge of the terminology and various professional languages used within the department.  Knows how to maintain effective relationships with personnel of other departments, professionals and members of the public through contact and cooperation.  Is able to perform job tasks professionally under political scrutiny and in an environment where discrimination and other public issues are constant concerns.  Is able to make sound, educated decisions.  Knows how to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.  Has the mathematical ability to handle required calculations.  Has the ability to plan, organize and prioritize daily assignments and work activities.  Has good organizational, technical and human relations skills.  Has the ability to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency.  Has skills in the use of computers.

Quality of Work:  

Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities.  Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility.  Maintains high quality communication and interaction with all District departments and divisions, co-workers and the public.

Quantity of Work:  

Performs described "Specific Duties and Responsibilities" and related assignments efficiently and effectively in order to produce a quantity of work which consistently meets standards and expectations of the District.

Dependability:  

Assumes responsibility for completing assigned work.   Completes assigned work within deadlines in accordance with directives, District policy, standards and prescribed procedures.  Remains accountable to assigned responsibilities in the technical, human and conceptual areas.

Attendance:  

Attends and remains at work regularly and adheres to District policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness.  Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.

Initiative and Enthusiasm:  

Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant and self-starting approach to meet job responsibilities and accountabilities.  Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.

Judgment:  

Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility.  Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives.  Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations.  Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors.  Seeks expert or experienced advice where appropriate and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment. Monitors the activities/behavior of the student body to ensure student safety and well-being.

Cooperation:  

Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of the same.  Questions such as instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified, i.e., poor communications, variance with District policy or procedures, etc.  Offers suggestions and recommendations to encourage and improve cooperation between all staff persons and departments within the District. 

Relationships with Others:  

Shares knowledge with managers, supervisors and staff for mutual and District benefit.  Contributes to maintaining high morale among all District employees.  Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers and managers in other departments, representatives from organizations, and the public so as to maintain good will toward the District and to project a good District image.  Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the District.  Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the District.  Interacts effectively with higher management, professionals and the public.

Coordination of Work:  

Plans and organizes daily work routine.  Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology.  Avoids duplication of effort.  Estimates expected time of completion of elements of work and establishes a personal schedule accordingly.  Attends required meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time.  Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules.  

Safety and Housekeeping:  

Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the District and various regulatory agencies.  Sees that the standards are not violated.  Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.  

DISCLAIMER:  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.  Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Terms of Employment 

200 day agreement.  Salary and work year to be established by the district.