TJJD - Teacher - Educ Diagnostician (MCL)

Texas A&M International; Mart (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Juvenile Justice Department in Texas seeks a licensed Educational Diagnostician to deliver and document the special education assessment process for youth in a correctional setting. The role involves collaborating with instructional staff, conducting evaluations, ARD participation, IEP development, and TEA regulatory compliance; on-call and travel may be required.

Master’s degree and Texas certification or enrollment in credential programs are prerequisites; the candidate must defuse

Qualifications

• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Valid Texas Certification as Educational Diagnostician or Licensure as an LSSP.
• Enrollment in Educational Diagnostician or LSSP program in an accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

• Administers diagnostic (academic and non-academic) assessment instruments and scores results.
• Coordinates ARD committees to interpret assessment data and develop IEPs.
• Communicates with schools about incoming/outgoing students and compliance.
• Ensures compliance with special education regulations and trains staff.
• Maintains records for TEA and TJJD submissions.
• Performs duties in accordance with agency safety policies.
• Assists in reviewing IEPs and provides intervention recommendations.

Education

Master's degree

Texas Educational Diagnostician certification

Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) licensure

Enrollment in Educational Diagnostician or LSSP program

Tools

Assessment instruments

Job description

TJJD - Teacher - Educ Diagnostician (MCL)

We are committed to transforming lives and building safter communities by working collaboratively, communicating openly, and upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Our team models accountability, transparency, and respect, taking proactive steps to ensure the physical and emotional safety of youth, staff, and the community. We strive for excellence through continuous growth, thoughtful decision making, and mission driven collaboration, supporting one another while embracing challenges that lead to meaningful, long-term impact.

Job Description

Responsible for and implements the special education assessment process including all individual evaluations and related documentation for students referred or eligible for special education services. Provide diagnostic information and work cooperatively with instructional personnel to provide the most appropriate programs for potentially aggressive/combative youth in a correctional setting with a wide variety of temperaments (volatile, aggressive, suicidal) and specialized needs (chemically dependent, sexual offenders). Treats youth with respect in all situations and the ability to react quickly and effectively to verbally and physically defuse hazardous, combative, volatile situations on an as needed basis. May supervise other staff.

May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per work week, be on-call and travel occasionally.

Administers diagnostic (academic and non-academic) assessment instruments and accurately scores and interprets results. (15%)

Communicates with public schools about incoming and outgoing special education students. (5%)

Responsible for compliance with special education regulations and in training school personnel in regard to these regulations. (15%)

Completes and maintains necessary records for submission to TEA and TJJD. (15%)

Coordinates special education programs with all school programs. (5%)

Assists campus Principal’s with in-service training of staff, particularly in relation to special education and student assessment. (10%)

Assists teachers in reviewing IEPs (individual education plan) each grading period. (15%)

Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:

• Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.

Master’s degree from an accredited college or university.

And

Valid Texas Certification as an Educational Diagnostician or Licensure as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP).

Or

Enrollment in an Educational Diagnostician or Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) program in an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with children and adolescents in teaching or evaluation/assessment (educational and/or psychological).

Note:Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be obtained from an accredited educational institution.

This position is subject to mandatory pre-employment drug testing and any offer of employment is contingent upon acceptable results from a drug screen conducted for the agency.

Requirements for Continued Employment:

Obtain a State of Texas licensure as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) within one year of hire.

Obtain a State of Texas certification as an Educational Diagnostician within one year of hire.

Failure to obtain the required licensure or certification within the time frame or failure to maintain the required licensure in good standing for any reason are grounds for termination of employment.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge of:

• State and federal education laws and regulations affecting the identification and programming of students with disabilities.
• Subject matter content and the ability to lead discussions.
• Test construction and statistical theory and applications.
• Or ability to acquire knowledge of agency policies and procedures.
• Special education confidentiality policies and applications.

Skill in:

• Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support the overall business strategy.
• Working collaboratively to establish rapport and build credibility with a wide array of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrating being fair, impartial, and unaffected by personal biases.
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
• Using computers and applicable software.
• Interpreting and applying rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Ability to:

• Implement Texas Education Agency (TEA) education policies and procedures.
• Coordinate and participate in the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee to assist with interpretation of assessment data, appropriate placement, and development of Individual Education Plans (IEP) for students according to district procedures.
• Make recommendations for intervention.
• Review and implement agency policies, procedures, and operating guidelines.
• Convey and interpret information to students.
• Communicate orally and in writing with students, parents, administrators, and other professionals involved in the education of agency youth.
• Work under stressful conditions, with possible occurrences of extreme heightened stress.
• Work independently with minimum supervision.
• Work effectively as a team member and get along with others.
• Keep accurate files and records.
• Work in excess of 40 hours per work week, be on-call and travel occasionally.

Physical Requirements

The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Analyzing

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing

Ability to see

Ability to hear (with or without aid)

Lifting up to 25 lbs

Climbing ladders

Carrying up to 25 lbs

Pulling

Repeated bending

Operate motor equipment

Reaching above shoulder

Dual simultaneous grasping

Walking

Depth perception

Standing

Twisting

Kneeling

Pushing

Stooping

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov .Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, and career ladder advancements

In order to receive veteran's preference, a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), VA disability rating (if applicable), or a DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) must be attached to your application.

If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services

Thank you for considering employment with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

SPONSORSHIP

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.