Transition Specialist; Program

Job Title: Transition Specialist

Exemption Status: Exempt

Reports to: Executive Director of Special Programs;
Annie Crawford

Dept./School: Special Education

The Transition Specialist will assist Special Education students by providing a wide variety of support services designed to assist special needs students as they transition into the world of work and independence.

• Bachelor's degree from accredited university
• Special Education Teacher Certification
• Three (3) years teaching experience in special education

• Knowledge of special needs of students in assigned area
• Knowledge of Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee process and Individual Education Plan (IEP) goal setting process and implementation
• Knowledge of how to adapt curriculum and instruction for special needs
• Effective communication skills

• Facilitate age-appropriate transition assessments and interpret results to support development of measurable postsecondary goals.
• Collaborate with ARD teams to assist with the development of transition plans that are aligned with students' strengths, interests, and needs.
• Coordinate and monitor work-based learning experiences, including job shadowing, internships, community-based instruction, and paid/unpaid employment.
• Provides direct instruction in vocational skills, job readiness, social communication, self-determination, and independent living skills.
• Builds partnerships with local businesses, agencies and community organizations to secure employment opportunities.
• Train and support employers, job coaches, employment representatives and other district staff working with students in the community.
• Networks with local business and community leaders to gain knowledge of the job market in the community and help secure job sites for student placement.
• Assist families in understanding adult services and advocating for their child's postsecondary needs.
• Attend and participate in ARD meetings, staff development and required district trainings.
• Ensures compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Maintains accurate progress, services and transition plans in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Plans and supervises purposeful assignments for teacher assistants and/or employment representatives.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral forms with all levels of management, both internal and external to the district.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both internal and external to the district.
• Ability to adjust the eye to bring an object into focus; judge distance (close and distant); reach with arms extended and use hands to manipulate the keyboard.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 10 pounds, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, twist, bend, climb, and/or be mobile.
• Ability to travel throughout the district and city by means of private or public transportation. If driving a personal (or private) vehicle, must possess a valid driver's license and appropriate insurance coverage.

Tools/Equipment Used:
Personal computer and peripherals, and other instructional equipment.

Posture:
Prolonged standing; frequent kneeling/squatting, bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, and twisting.

Motion:
Frequent walking.

Lifting:
May require regular heavy lifting (45 pounds or more) and positioning of students with physical disabilities, control behavior through physical restraint, assist non-ambulatory students, and lift and move adaptive and other classroom equipment; may work prolonged or irregular hours.

Environment:
Exposure to biological hazards.

Mental Demands:
Maintain emotional control under stress.