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2026/27 NSTU-012 - Regional Augmentative & Alternative Comm. Specialist, Base: SPEC (Temp. Assign.)

The Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education is responsible for the administration of the public school system within the boundaries of Cape Breton and Victoria Counties, supporting approximately 12,000 students in 38 schools.

 

We foster a caring, dynamic, and creative environment that provides educational opportunities, promotes a love of learning, respect for others and challenges all persons to develop their full potential to become confident, versatile, lifelong learners and thinkers. We are committed to ensuring the success and achievement of all students within a culturally responsive, safe, and inclusive school environment.

 

The CBVRCE invites applications for the above noted position as we work together to create success for all students in our region.   Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the students we serve.  The Centre for Education welcomes applications from Indigenous People, African Canadian and Other Racially Visible Persons, Members of the 2SLGBTQI++ community, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented.  If you are a member of one of these equity groups, we encourage you to apply and self-identify on your application. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance during the application process may contact Claudette Vickers at 902-562-6812 or c-vickers@cbvrce.ca to request reasonable accommodations.

 

This temporary assignment is anticipated to end on June 18, 2027.

 

Application Deadline:   August 23, 2026 by Midnight

 

Qualifications
 

  • A valid Nova Scotia Teacher's Certificate or other professional certification recognized by the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, as appropriate to the position.

  • Minimum five (5) years of successful experience supporting students with diverse learning, communication, behavioural, developmental, physical, sensory, and/or social-emotional needs.

  • Demonstrated experience as a Learning Support Teacher, Student Services Specialist, Inclusive Education Specialist, Program Planning Specialist, or in a comparable student support leadership role is considered an asset.

  • Demonstrated knowledge and experience supporting students who require Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), communication supports, Assistive Technology (AT), and Accessible Educational Materials (AEM).

  • Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams including Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Psychologists, Behaviour Specialists, Autism Specialists, Assistive Technology Workers, classroom teachers, school administrators, educational assistants and families.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), inclusive education, student planning processes, and Individual Program Planning.

 

Applicants must demonstrate, through their application, the necessary competencies and qualifications in this posting.  The process may include an interview. 


Applicants must:

  • upload a completed resume and cover letter with their application
  • ensure your resume addresses required qualifications and competencies
  • include 3 references, one of which is the applicant's immediate supervisor

 

 

Regional Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Specialist

 

Description

The Augmentative & Alternative Communication (AAC) Specialist supports students with diverse learning, communication, behavioural, physical, sensory, and developmental needs through consultation, direct service, coaching, and program development within the student planning team process. Working collaboratively with school teams, families, and multidisciplinary professionals, the Specialist assists in identifying and implementing communication supports, Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), Assistive Technology (AT), and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems that promote equitable access to learning, communication, participation and independence. The Specialist provides leadership in supporting school teams to develop effective, evidence-informed programming for students with complex needs while building staff capacity through coaching, mentoring, professional learning, and collaborative problem-solving.

Competencies Required

  • Demonstrated understanding of inclusive educational practices and evidence-informed interventions for students with diverse and complex learning needs.

  • Demonstrated experience supporting students with complex behavioural, communication, developmental, cognitive, physical, sensory, and social-emotional needs in a variety of educational settings.

  • Demonstrated experience working with complex behaviour cases and developing collaborative intervention plans through roles such as Learning Support Teacher, Student Services Specialist, Inclusive Education Specialist, or other student support leadership positions.

  • Ability to provide consultation, coaching, mentoring, and capacity-building for school teams.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), communication supports, Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), and Assistive Technology (AT), including supporting implementation within educational programming.

  • Ability to assess student strengths and needs and collaborate with school teams to develop individualized programming and communication supports.

  • Ability to develop, implement, monitor, and evaluate individualized student programming and support plans.

  • Ability to contribute effectively as a member of Teaching Support Teams (TSTs), Student Planning Teams (SPTs), and multidisciplinary teams.

  • Knowledge of TIENET, including documentation, case management, and reporting.

  • Knowledge of PowerSchool and its application to student planning, programming, and reporting.

  • Strong administrative and organizational skills, including budgeting, database management, inventory control, ordering, maintaining, and tracking specialized equipment and resources.

  • Demonstrated understanding of the educational implications of cognitive communication, physical, sensory, behavioural, developmental, and social-emotional needs and their impact on student learning and participation.

  • Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.

  • Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, families, school teams, community partners, and external agencies.

  • Commitment to ongoing professional learning and evidence-informed practice.

Responsibilities

The AAC Specialist will:

  • Provide consultation and support to school teams in developing inclusive programming and instructional practices that meet the needs of students with complex communication and learning needs.

  • Participate as a member of Teaching Support Teams (TSTs), Student Planning Teams (SPTs), and other multidisciplinary planning processes.

  • Collaborate with school teams to identify and implement appropriate communication supports, Accessible Educational Materials (AEM), Assistive Technology (AT), and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) systems.

  • Support classroom teachers, Learning Support Teachers, school administrators, and educational assistants in selecting, implementing, and monitoring evidence-informed instructional strategies, accommodations, and communication supports.

  • Provide direct consultation, coaching, mentoring, and follow-up support for school staff and families.

  • Assist with referrals, assessments, transition planning, implementation, and ongoing evaluation of communication supports and individualized student programming.

  • Develop professional learning resources, including workshops, webinars, videos, and written guides to support inclusive educational practices and communication programming.

  • Coordinate the acquisition, inventory, maintenance, budgeting, ordering, and tracking of specialized communication and accessibility resources and equipment.

  • Maintain accurate documentation using TIENET, PowerSchool, and other departmental systems.

  • Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of communication supports and interventions, making recommendations for ongoing programming as required.

  • Collaborate with Speech-Language Pathologists and other student services professionals to support comprehensive programming while respecting professional roles and scopes of practice.

  • Build school and Regional Centre capacity by facilitating professional learning related to AAC, communication supports, inclusive practices, and effective programming for students with complex needs.

  • Engage in ongoing professional learning to remain current with emerging research, technologies, and evidence-informed practices.

  • Perform other related duties as assigned in support of inclusive education and student success.

Salary is as per NSTU Provincial Collective Agreement

 

 

 

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