The Start On Success (SOS) program is a 3-year career development program primarily for students receiving learning support services. SOS teacher responsibilities consist of both classroom and community-based instruction. This position is based out of and supported by the Program for Students with Exceptionalities and is monitored and evaluated by the assigned building principal.

Assignment: Westinghouse

This job posting is not a component of the Internal School-Based Professional Transfer Season.

External applicants and internal non-school-based professional employees who are properly certified are eligible to apply to this position.

For the 2019-20 school year Pittsburgh Public Schools anticipates a potential vacancy in this position for which we are currently encouraging applications.

Reports To: Principal

Salary:
Salary Schedule For Teachers Hired On Or After July 1, 2010 (starting at $47, 858 per year)

Endorsements: Special Education PK-12

Qualifications:
A Bachelor's degree and Pennsylvania Special Education K-12 Certification.

Must also obtain 24 additional education credits within six years of hire to obtain permanent certification.

Preferred qualities and attributes include:

- A commitment to accelerating student achievement.

- A desire to eliminate racial disparities.

- The ability to create a positive school and district culture.

- The willingness to foster and promote innovation.

- The ability to be a culturally-responsive educator who knows how to leverage students' unique skills, interests, and learning styles to create a learning experience that unequivocally includes and empowers each and every student.

- Demonstrated enthusiasm and energy in making a difference in the lives of students.

- Proven ability to empathize with students and prepare them to achieve academic excellence and strength of character so they have the opportunity to succeed in all aspects of life.

Residency Requirements: No Residency Requirement

Essential Job Functions:
Classroom/School Based Responsibilities:

- Report daily to assigned high school to instruct three Transition/Career Development classes (10th - 12th grade). Classroom instruction focuses on increasing self-awareness and disability awareness, goal setting, interpersonal skills and career development activities, including career research, career assessment, job seeking, resume development, interview preparation, etc.
-Ensure curriculum is aligned with the PA Career Education and Work (CEW) Standards
- Develop & submit weekly lesson plans
- Follow grading policy as determined by school
- Administer and interpret career assessments
- Manage and write IEPs for an IEP caseload of up to 20 students
- Coordinate with transition coordinator, IEP team and community agencies
- Maintain communication with parents and families
- Hold monthly SOS team meetings in the schools
- Attend weekly school based TIP meetings
- Attend monthly faculty meetings (when available)

Community-Based Responsibilities:

- Develop partnerships within the school and local community for the purpose of identifying job shadowing, mentorship, internship and post-graduation employment opportunities.
- Coordinate Service Learning projects
- Coordinate a minimum of 12 hours of volunteer service/student and 3 hours of job shadowing activity/student
- Travel train students on public transportation
- Communicate with community worksite mentors/supervisors daily
- Visit all mentorship and internship sites at least 2-3 times weekly, if not daily
- Support students and provide job accommodations/interventions as needed
- Administer community based assessments on all working students, and share results with student, parent, IEP team and appropriate community agencies
- Maintain parent communication and monthly call logs of all conversations
- Follow guidelines of funding entities related to services provided and employment outcome measurements, including compliance with the Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)
- Align activities and coordination of services with the 14 required elements of WIOA (e.g. paid and unpaid work experience, occupational skill training, supportive services, and comprehensive guidance and counseling)
- Complete monthly case notes, activity logs and progress reports on all students
- Attend monthly SOS staff meetings
- Complete follow-up activities/services for all graduates for one year post-graduation, as a means of maximizing employment and post-secondary school enrollment

Programmatic Responsibilities:

- Provide coverage (classroom/community) for other SOS teachers as needed
- Complete specific project/tasks as needed:
- Curriculum development
- Assessment administration
- Student interventions
- Service learning project development
- Mentorship and internship site development

Additional Job Information:
HOW TO APPLY
To become a PPS teacher, you must first complete a "Standard: Certified" application in the District's online application system. (www.pps.k12.pa.us/careers) This application will be screened in order to determine if you will be placed on the eligible list. Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) is required by the Pennsylvania School Code to use an eligible list to determine which candidates can be considered for hire. For more information, please see the Eligible List FAQ on the district website.

A complete teacher application requires:
- An updated resume, reflective of your education and employment experience, including community involvement and leadership roles.

- Writing samples (responses to three brief essay prompts)

- References (submission and return of three electronic references)

- Selection of your certification type and content area

Step 1. Create an account and complete the online application. In addition to the above requirements, you will also have the opportunity to upload your Pennsylvania Praxis Exam scores, diplomas, transcripts, state-issued certificates, and additional attachments.

Step 2. Pittsburgh Public Schools will contact you if you are selected to move forward in the hiring process.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
This position is primarily sedentary in nature. Employee will be required to operate computer system for data entry, and have the ability to complete necessary paperwork. This position requires minimum physical effort and not subjected to Occupational Health and Safety risks.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Employees of the Pittsburgh Public Schools engage in the extremely important and fulfilling job of educating students in the City of Pittsburgh. Employees must believe in, value and be committed to the educability of all; must promote the school and district vision of high standards of learning and academic rigor, continuous school improvement, and the inclusion of all members of the school community; must be willing to work in a high stress environment while maintaining the energy necessary to meet the responsibilities and expectations of the position. A sample of specific elements associated with the work environment of this position includes:
-Frequently required to work at fast pace
-Comfort with ambiguity
-Requires considerable concentration and creativity
-Able to adjust daily work plans and work hours to be highly responsive to school needs
-Subject to stress caused by a changing environment, diversity in the organization, tight deadlines and work load, but must be able to maintain work/life balance amidst intense work demands.

ADA:
The employer will make reasonable accommodation in compliance with the American with Disabilities Act of 1990. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with business necessity. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

OTHER INFORMATION:
The Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs, activities, career and technical education programs or employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. It is the policy of the Pittsburgh School District to make all services, programs and activities available and to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. Please make requests for accommodations at least 72 hours before the scheduled event. For more information regarding accommodations, civil rights grievance procedures, please contact: Office of Employee Relations, 341 S. Bellefield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or 412-529-HELP (4357).

The Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs, activities, career and technical education programs or employment and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. It is the policy of the Pittsburgh School District to make all services, programs and activities available and to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities. Please make requests for accommodations at least 72 hours before the scheduled event. For more information regarding accommodations, civil rights grievance procedures, please contact: Office of Employee Relations, 341 S. Bellefield Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 or 412-529-HELP (4357).