SUMMARY: This position entails working with component school districts within BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 to help build knowledge in the area of IDEA 97, PA Academic Standards, Curriculum, and Assessment, FAPE, and Inclusive Practices. The consultant will deliver in-person, virtual, and/or hybrid trainings and coordinate activities and meetings for educators regarding best practices, state mandates, and specific student-based needs, especially for low-incidence students.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Schedule and conduct in-person or virtual curriculum resource training for staff development within districts.
• Serve as a consultant to the districts, as needed, on best practices in specified areas, including but not limited to Pennsylvania Academic Standards, Inclusive Practices, FAPE, Instructional Strategies, and MTSS.
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal, listening, verbal, and communication skills that exhibit a strong working knowledge of and willingness to be flexible and quickly adapt to required changes around:
  
• Pennsylvania Academic Standards, the Statewide System of Assessment, IDEA, ESSA, Chapters 4, 12, 14, and 504 (Pennsylvania Special Education Regulations), Indicator 13, and other mandates.
• The curriculum process, MTSS, tiered intervention, the integration of curriculum with technology, and other best practices in the field.
• Interpret a variety of reports and assessments to help districts link IDEA, ESSA, the Pennsylvania Academic Standards, and the Pennsylvania Statewide Assessment.
• Serve as a liaison between education agencies and service agencies to help districts and caregivers meet student needs and the legal requirements of the Least Restrictive Environment and FAPE.
• Consult with districts during the strategic planning process to meet the needs of all students.
• Attend in-person or virtual, as needed, PDE, PaTTAN, and other mandated meetings.
• Integrate effective use of technology.
• Exhibit excellent team-building skills with a strong work ethic, energetic enthusiasm, and interest in successfully accomplishing assigned responsibilities, while working flexible hours and work year.
• Understand the demands and demonstrate skills for strong customer service delivery to maintain positive relationships, provide high-quality educational solutions, and resolve inquiries using professionalism.
• Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS:

• PA Teacher Certification in Education, K-12 special education certification preferred
• A bachelor's degree is required, but a Masters degree is preferred. A minimum of 3 – 5 years of teaching experience at the K–12 level Previous staff training experience preferred
• Highly qualified status consistent with ESSA preferred.
• QBS-Safety Care certificate(s), or other de-escalation techniques and physical intervention training certification without competency restrictions, required by the Intermediate Unit or host agency, as requested
• Valid state driver’s license and ability to drive without advanced notice

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: None

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports and professional correspondence. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff, teachers, parents, and the general public.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently walking and standing while performing the duties of this job. The employee may frequently bend or twist at the neck and back while performing the duties of this job. Specific vision abilities required by this job include peripheral vision and close vision such as to read typewritten material. The employee may occasionally lift up to 25 pounds such as computers or AV equipment.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.