Title: Teacher Assistant SDB00072
State Role Title: Trainer and Instructor I
Hiring Range: $30,511 - $40,500
Pay Band: 3
Agency: VA School for the Deaf & Blind
Location: VA School for Deaf & Blind
Agency Website: vsdb.k12.va.us
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
About Us
The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (VSDB) is located in the historic, vibrant city of Staunton, Virginia. VSDB provides superior education for students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/vision impaired, deafblind, and deaf or blind with other disabilities.
VSDB offers PreK-12 education with both residential and day student options.
VSDB believes that disabilities are challenges not barriers and supports each student in their goal to be independent and to reach their highest academic potential!
VSDB prepares students for life!
About this position
The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is seeking a Teacher Assistant.
This is a 10 month classified position with state benefits, including health insurance, retirement, life insurance and disability coverage.
The VSDB offers:
• Supportive and positive team setting
• Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Free Life insurance
• School-Residential partnership that supports a 24/7 learning environment
Minimum Qualifications
Ability to implement lesson plans and activities for students with sensory impairment.
Ability to provide instructional, personal care, and behavior management support to children with sensory impairment, moderate to severe intellectual disability, and or high needs disabilities.
Skill in behavior management and/or willingness to attend training.
Ability to assist with the implementation of the Virginia Standards of Learning and the Aligned Standards of Learning.
Ability to interact with students in a patient, positive, and sensitive manner to provide for their direct care and development.
Ability to work independently and follow school/agency policies and procedures.
Proficiency level of “Advanced” in American Sign Language or willingness to acquire the specified skill within three years (dependent upon job duties).
Proficiency in Grade 2 Braille or willingness to acquire within three years (dependent upon job duties).
Ability to monitor students during transportation to and/or from school and drive state vehicles including a ten-passenger van in order to transport students to and from the school campus.
Ability to assist with personal care tasks in the residential hall including but not limited to waking students, assisting with personal hygiene, serving meals/snacks, and ensuring dress code adherence.
Paraprofessional certification for working with children with Autism or must acquire within 60 days ofhire.
Current CPR and First Aid certification is required or must be obtained in accordance with school policy.
Valid Virginia Driver's License with driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway and passenger safety.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to lift children and transfer them from wheelchairs, assist with their personal hygiene needs (including changing diapers/soiled clothing), ability to bend, squat, move rapidly, etc. in order to interact with the children appropriately.
Additional Considerations
A high school diploma or GED and successful completion of the Para Pro Assessment offered through Educational Testing Services within six months of hire OR an associate degree (or higher).
Experience working with children and/or ability to provide guidance to children and maintain a safe environment for children is preferred.
Experience working with children who have disabilities is preferred.
Experience as a Certified Nursing Assistant or in Human Services preferred.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
If selected as a finalist with VSDB, candidates can expect the following:
Background Investigation Requirements: All applicants are subject to a background investigation. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); the Department of Social Service’s Child Abuse and Neglect Central Registry check; verification of education (relevant to employment); and other checks based on the position.
Application Requirements: Application and/or résumé for this position are only accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System. All applications should be submitted by 11:55pm on the closing date for the position. Mailed, emailed, faxed, or hand delivered applications and/or résumés will not be accepted. The decision to interview an applicant is based solely on the information received for this position from the electronic application and/or résumé.
Layoff Preferences: Applicants who possess an Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Form) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Form) as issued under the Department of Human Resources Management (DHRM) Policy 1.30 Layoff (Commonwealth of VA employees only) MUST attach these forms when submitting their state application and/or résumé.
VSDB is an EEO employer and is committed to supporting workforce diversity, equitable opportunities and inclusivity. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.
VSDB values our Veterans and encourages all to apply and receive preference in the hiring process. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other nation service alumni are also encouraged to apply.
Contact Information
Name: Jody Beelendorf
Phone: 540-332-9069
Email: jody.beelendorf@vsdbs.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.