<p>Student Pathways and Access Coordinator (Assistive Technology) for Students with Disabilities, Salem Public Schools, Salem, MA [SY 2025-2026]</p> <p>About Salem Public Schools, where belonging leads to opportunity.</p> <p>Salem is a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district enrolling nearly 4,000 students in 11 schools. Our vision is to ensure that all students will be locally engaged, globally connected, and fully prepared to thrive in a diverse and changing world. We hold dear our core values of belonging, equity, and opportunity in everything we do. We seek individuals who are passionate about urban education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement for all students, regardless of ability, economic status, gender/gender identity, language, race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other backgrounds. We invite you to learn more about our strategic plan and core priorities on our website at https://salemk12.org/.</p> <p>What You'll Do:</p> <p>The Student Pathways and Access Coordinator will play a pivotal role in empowering students with disabilities across the kindergarten through post-high spectrum by ensuring equitable access to the curriculum and fostering effective communication through the strategic application of assistive technology (AT). For students in grades 9-post high, this role will also strategically integrate comprehensive transition planning to support their post-secondary goals, encompassing further education, successful employment, and independent living.</p> <p>Responsibilities:</p> <p>Access & Assistive Technology Integration (K-12 Focus):</p> <ul> <li>Assist in identifying student assistive technology (AT) needs across grades K-12, evaluating functional and educational needs for AT consideration. </li><li>Provide direct service and consultation for students utilizing AT within district programs for all grade levels (K-12). </li><li>Conduct formal and informal technology assessments, write comprehensive reports, interpret results, and provide recommendations. </li><li>Recommend, select, modify, and implement low, mid, and high technology solutions to maximize students' educational access and communicative efficacy across the curriculum. </li><li>Provide comprehensive training to students, staff, and family members on using AT devices and software relevant to K-12 learning. </li><li>Facilitate IEP team decision-making processes regarding AT needs and solutions for all grade levels. </li><li>Adapt curriculum using AT tools and strategies to enhance student engagement and learning throughout the K-12 experience. </li></ul> <p>Transition Planning & Implementation (Grades 9-post high Focus):</p> <ul> <li>Collaborate and consult with school-based teams, students, and families to develop meaningful and appropriate individualized transition plans (ITPs) aligned with post-secondary goals for students in grades 9-12. </li><li>Develop and implement activities that foster career and employment skills (e.g., interview skills, career mapping, work readiness) as outlined in student transition plans. </li><li>Conduct formal and informal vocational and transition assessments, write comprehensive reports, interpret results, and provide actionable recommendations. </li><li>Identify student interests, preferences, and skills, and match them to employment settings and community participation options. </li><li>Assist students in career research, identifying necessary training/education, and securing appropriate employment opportunities. </li></ul> <p>Program Development & Compliance:</p> <ul> <li>Establish and maintain open communication with building-based and central office staff. </li><li>Participate actively in IEP team meetings, using effective communication skills to present information clearly and accurately. </li><li>Present evidence of student progress toward goals and objectives through regular progress reports and team meetings. </li><li>Complete all required paperwork and job-related functions in a timely manner. </li><li>Routinely participate in district and school-based meetings, training, and professional development. </li><li>Work independently within supervisory expectations. </li><li>Responsible for assuring equal educational opportunity to all individuals regardless of race, color, gender, age, marital status, religion, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, homelessness, or disability. </li><li>Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the Special Education Director. </li></ul> <p>What You'll Bring:</p> <p>We are looking for candidates who have diverse backgrounds and experiences, are inspired by our mission and are highly motivated to change children's lives through education. You'll be right at home here if you are a reflective practitioner who values collaboration with colleagues and pushes yourself, your work and the people around you to the next level. We expect our SPS employees to:</p> <ul> <li>Hold a deep commitment to students and families and value diversity - The SPS community is vibrant, diverse in background, ethnicity, language, and perspective. You embrace and affirm the backgrounds of all members of the SPS community and view our diversity as a powerful resource that supports us each in learning and doing our best work. </li><li>Hold high expectations for yourself, students, and colleagues - You see potential in all, especially our SPS students, and maintain high expectations for achievement, while providing the support necessary to meet that bar. You hold yourself to high expectations, modeling SPS values and seeking opportunities to continuously improve. </li><li>Build authentic, caring relationships with colleagues, students, and families - You build strong relationships across students, families, and colleagues that are collaborative in nature and contribute to the individual and collective success of SPS. You partner with families and colleagues to make decisions in the best interest of students and learning. </li><li>Embrace feedback - You are a reflective practitioner who learns from failure, using mistakes and challenges as opportunities for growth. You model persistence and growth mindset and thrive in a culture of feedback. </li></ul> <p>Job Requirements:</p> <p>Education & Experience:</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's Degree (Required) Master's Degree (Preferred) in Special Education, Communication Disorders, Rehabilitation Counseling, Assistive Technology, or a closely related field is required. </li><li>Minimum of three (3) years of experience in special education, rehabilitation, vocational counseling, and/or assistive technology roles, with a focus on supporting individuals with disabilities across various age levels (K-12). </li><li>Demonstrated experience in person-centered planning and/or individual support models. </li><li>Strong knowledge of prevocational assessments, job development, fading supports, task analysis, and job creation. </li></ul> <p>Licensure & Certification:</p> <ul> <li>Massachusetts teaching certification/licensure in moderate/severe special education with a Transition Specialist Endorsement OR Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). </li><li>Demonstrated expertise in Assistive Technology, which may include relevant certifications (e.g., RESNA ATP) or extensive professional development and practical experience. </li></ul> <p>Skills & Abilities:</p> <ul> <li>Ability to complete comprehensive transition and AT assessments, with excellent evaluation and report writing skills. </li><li>Ability to teach employment skills, coach, and evaluate students with disabilities who have diverse special needs. </li><li>Extensive knowledge of adaptive technology, computer systems, and software, as well as strategies for how students with various disabilities can access the curriculum and AT tools across all grade levels (K-12). </li><li>Ability to understand the specific physical, emotional, and behavioral needs of students and to maintain trust and confidence. </li><li>Excellent organization, communication, and interpersonal skills, capable of building strong relationships with students, families, staff, employers, and community agencies. </li><li>Knowledge of Salem businesses and community resources is highly desirable. </li><li>Second language (Spanish and/or Portuguese) proficiency a plus </li><li>Bilingual candidates and candidates of color strongly encouraged to apply </li><li>Current authorization to work in the United States </li></ul> <p>Work Year: Teachers in Salem Public Schools work a 185 day school year (180 student contact days plus 5 professional development days. Please click here to view the 2025-26 district and/or school calendars.</p> <p>Salary: Teacher salaries in the Salem Public Schools are determined by the Salem Teachers Union collective bargaining agreement (see new 2024-27 language with updated salary information here).</p> <p>Benefits: The City of Salem offers Group Insurance Commission (GIC) benefits to all full-time employees. Click here for more information about our health benefits.</p> <p>Equal Opportunity Employer</p> <p>Salem Public School District is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital/civil union status, ancestry, place of birth, age, citizenship status, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or disability, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.</p>