Communication Aide, Educational Assistant III - Maui District

Description

The authorized level of the position is Communication Aide.  Applications are being accepted down to the Educational Assistant III in the event of recruiting difficulties.

Salary Range:  Compensation adjustments shall be made in accordance with the applicable established collective bargaining agreement, policy and procedure, or executive order.

          Communication Aide, SR-16

Who May Apply: Any Board of Education Support Services Personnel (SSP) employee of the Hawaii State Department of Education or a Conversion Public Charter School who has demonstrated satisfactory performance in his/her position and whose status is active at the time of referral and movement may apply.

All others are not eligible to apply for this internal vacancy announcement including for example:

1. Civil Service employees
2. Exempt employees
3. 89-day hires
4. TAOL employees
5. Certificated employees
6. Casual hires
7. Substitute employees
8. Employees on initial probation
9. Non-employees of the Department

Examples of Duties

Delivers independent speech and language remedial activities (such as reinforcement lessons and drills) to students with communication disorders in accordance with plans developed by a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) and performs other related duties as assigned such as:

1. Provides reinforcement lessons and repetitive drill activities based on educational plans and specific instructions developed by the SLP.
2. Assists students in improving speech and language skills, including proper   mechanics (mouth, jaw, lips, tongue, teeth, diaphragm) and correct pronunciation of vowel and consonant sounds.
3. Corrects sound and language misunderstandings, reinforces verbal comprehension, and assists with socially appropriate language usage.
4. Records and scores student progress data, session responses, and significant behavioral observations as directed by guidelines and the SLP.
5. Makes arrangements for remediation sessions with school personnel and participates in conferences with parents and staff to provide input on student progress.
6. Adapts and devises individualized materials for SLP review and approval, and assists the SLP in developing intervention strategies.
7. Provides relevant follow-up activities and materials for home use.
8. Attends training sessions and workshops.
9. May provide clerical services for the SLP and diagnostic team on a nonsignificant basis.

Minimum Qualifications

Education Requirements:  Graduation from high school or equivalent and one of the following, as described by the Federal Government's No Child Left Behind Act of 2001:

1. Successful completion of an examination approved by the Hawaii State Department of Education (Department), such as the ParaPro or ParaPathways Assessment provided by the Education Testing Service (ETS).
2. At least 48 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution recognized by the Department, which included 3 credits in mathematics and 3 credits in English.
3. An associate degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department.

Experience Requirements:  Except for the substitutions provided in this specification, applicants must have the kind, quality, and amount of progressively responsible experience described below:

Class Title	General Experience (years*)	Specialized Experience (years*)	Technical Experience (years*)
Communication Aide	1	1	1
Educational Assistant III	1	1	0

*One (1) year of experience is defined as a school year, which is approximately 180 instructional days in Hawaii.

General Experience:  Paid or volunteer experience which involved direct interaction with people and demonstrated the ability to provide and elicit information, observe, evaluate and take action or report accurately on different situations. Examples include serving on school or community committees, advising youth groups, or participating in parent/teacher/student meetings and activities.

Specialized Experience:  Work experience providing direct academic, personal, social, vocational development, or behavioral services to children, students, and/or individuals with disabilities, preferably in an educational setting supporting professional staff.

Substitutions Allowed:

1. Possession of a Child Development Associate credential, or completion of a related program from an accredited institution recognized by the Department or an approved community organization may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of Specialized Experience.
2. Successful completion of 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of General Experience up to a maximum of one (1) year.
3. Successful completion of 15 baccalaureate-level semester credits in Education or closely related field from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one-half (1/2) year of Specialized Experience up to a maximum of two (2) years.
4. Possession of an associate degree from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for one (1) year of General Experience.
5. Possession of an associate degree in Education or closely related field from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for all General and Specialized Experience.
6. Possession of a bachelor degree or higher from an accredited institution recognized by the Department may substitute for all General and Specialized Experience.
7. For high school graduates from a Department school, each of the following may substitute for one (1) year of Specialized Experience up to a maximum of two (2) years:

Quality of Experience:  Possession of the required number of years of experience will not in itself be accepted as proof of qualification for a position. The applicant's overall experience must have been of such scope and level of responsibility as to conclusively demonstrate the ability to perform the duties of the position.

Selective Certification: Communication Aide positions may be filled using the Educational Assistant series provided that applicants also meet the Special and License Requirements below:

Special Requirement:  Applicants must demonstrate the ability to hear and speak (i.e., articulate and enunciate sounds, words, phrases, and sentences clearly) the English language properly, in order to effectively perform the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Supplemental Information

Salary:  The advertised salary is based on full-time employment and includes shortage and school year differentials, if applicable.

Requirements: Applicants must meet all the requirements for the position they are seeking as of the date of the application, unless otherwise specified. Unless specifically indicated, the required education and experience may not be gained concurrently. Calculation of experience is based on full-time, 40-hour workweeks. Part-time experience is pro-rated. Example: Twelve months of experience at 20 hours/week is equivalent to six months of experience, not one year. Also, hours worked in excess of 40 hours/week will not be credited. Example: Twelve months of experience at 60 hours/week is equivalent to one year of experience, not one and a half years.

Temporary Assignment: Claims of Temporary Assignment (TA) experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements must be verified and attached to the application using one of the options below:

1. A copy of the applicant’s TA History Report or equivalent system-generated report;
2. A signed letter from the applicant’s supervisor that includes the applicant’s name, his/her TA job title, the TA start and end dates (from mm/yy to mm/yy), his/her specific TA duties performed, and either the TA hours worked per week or total TA hours worked; or,
3. Copies of the applicant’s signed SF-10 Forms.

Documents:  Attach all relevant supporting documents to your application.  Documents that were attached to applications submitted before November 16, 2023 do not automatically attach or transfer to applications submitted on and after December 16, 2023.  All submitted documents become the property of the Hawaii State Department of Education.

Information about Temporary Positions: Temporary positions may be extended year to year, dependent upon funding and departmental needs. Making yourself available for temporary positions increases your employment possibilities and may lead to permanent opportunities. A person hired for a temporary position may also become a temporary employee upon satisfactory completion of the initial probation period of at least six months. Once a temporary employee, you would be eligible to apply for promotion and transfer opportunities to permanent as well as other temporary positions. You may also enjoy other rights and benefits as afforded to an employee in a permanent position, with the exception of return rights and placement rights associated with a reduction-in-force. 

Equal Opportunity

The Hawaii State Department of Education does not discriminate in its educational policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability in accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991. The Department does not discriminate in its employment policies, programs, and activities on the basis of sexual orientation, arrest and court record, and National Guard participation, as well as on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, and disability, in accordance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1991, Equal Pay Act of 1963, and Chapter 378, Part I, Hawaii Revised Statutes.

Payday

New employees can expect their first paycheck within the first 3 pay periods of their start date. Payday is on the 5th and 20th (or previous business day) of every month.

Benefits

10-month civil service and SSP employees enjoy a range of competitive benefits:

• Holidays, Personal Leave, and Sick Leave:  Many employees enjoy paid holidays, personal leave, and sick leave during the school year provided that all conditions under the respective collective bargaining agreement are met.
• Health Insurance:  If eligible, the State pays a part of the premiums for each employee's enrollment in a State sponsored Medical, Drug, Vision, and Adult Dental Plan.
• Group Life Insurance:  The State provides a free life insurance policy for employees and retirees.
• Premium Conversion Plan:  Participating employees may increase their take-home pay by having the State deduct the cost of health care premiums before payroll taxes are withheld.
• Flexible Spending Accounts:  Eligible employees can reduce their federal and state income taxes and social security taxes through a tax-savings benefit program called Island Flex. This program allows employees to set aside money from their paychecks to pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and eligible dependent care expenses on a BEFORE-TAX basis.
• Retirement Plan:  The State contributes to a retirement plan for eligible employees. Generally, employees with at least 10 years of credited service and who have reached 62 years of age or have 30 years of credited service and are 55 years old may retire and receive benefits.
• Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA):  If eligible, Department employees are able to participate in a tax shelter annuity program. The TSA plan allows eligible employees to contribute pre-tax dollars to an employee-selected investment service provider authorized to provide TSA products.
• Deferred Compensation:  The State offers employees a tax deferred (sheltered) retirement investment program. This program is an opportunity to build a retirement nest egg through voluntary payroll deductions. Several investment options are available.
• Temporary Disability Insurance:  Qualified employees may be eligible to receive benefits for a disability caused by a non-work related injury or illness under this program.
• Social Security:  As an employer, the State also contributes to an employee's social security account.
• Workers' Compensation:  If an employee is injured while on the job, benefits covering medical expenses and partial wage support may be available through workers' compensation.
• Union & Collective Bargaining:  Employees have the right to join the union for collective bargaining with the State and employee representation. Some employee unions provide discounts, insurance and other opportunities. Employees may also decide not to join a union, however, employees are required to pay union service fees unless the employee's job is excluded from collective bargaining.

The above is intended as a general summary of the benefits offered and is subject to change. This does not constitute a contract or binding agreement. Benefits vary by type of employment appointment and collective bargaining agreements.

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerHawaii State Department of EducationAddress P.O. Box 2360

Honolulu, Hawaii, 96804 Website https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org