Special Eduction Transition Specialist

Transition Specialist (Special Education, Ages 14–22)

The Transition Specialist supports students with disabilities in developing the skills necessary for successful post-secondary outcomes in employment, education, and independent living. This role requires a dually certified professional (School Adjustment Counselor/Social Worker + Transition Specialist) who works collaboratively with students, families, educators, and community partners to design and implement individualized, results-oriented transition services.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive transitional and vocational assessments aligned with student strengths, preferences, and interests.
• Interpret, summarize, and present assessment results at IEP Team meetings.
• Develop and implement appropriate, measurable transition goals, benchmarks, and direct service delivery models.

• Career & Vocational Readiness:
  Pre-vocational skills, career exploration, workplace behaviors, professional communication, and workplace social skills.
• Independence & Self-Advocacy:
  Safety, travel training, community access, and independent daily living skills.
• Social-Emotional & Behavioral Support:
  Social-emotional learning (SEL), emotional regulation, coping strategies, and real-time support during periods of emotional or behavioral dysregulation using therapeutic and crisis-management strategies.
• Executive Functioning:
  Organization, planning, time management, and task initiation.

• Develop, coordinate, and monitor community-based learning opportunities (internships, job shadows, employment experiences).
• Identify, secure, and evaluate appropriate vocational, educational, and recreational placements.
• Supervise, train, and collaborate with job coaches and employers to establish student accommodations, strategies, and ongoing performance assessments.

• Identify and connect students and families with appropriate adult service agencies (e.g., Mass Ability, DDS) and guide them through navigating adult service systems.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with community partners, employers, and state agencies.
• Collaborate with special education staff on post-secondary planning, including college and training program exploration.
• Maintain detailed records of all transition-related activities, outreach efforts, placements, and student progress.
• Coordinate and contribute to district-wide transition initiatives.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education:
  
  Master's degree in School Counseling, Social Work, or a related field.
• Licensure/Certification:
  Current licensure/certification as a School Adjustment Counselor or School Social Worker AND certification or demonstrated expertise in Transition Services.
• Experience:
  
  Proven experience working with students with disabilities in school and/or community-based settings.
• Knowledge Base:
  Strong knowledge of transition planning, vocational assessment, and post-secondary outcomes; familiarity with state agencies and adult service systems.
• Core
  
  Skills:
  
  Excellent collaboration, communication, and organizational skills.
• Logistics:
  Valid driver's license and a clean driving record (required for transporting students to community-based sites).

Preferred

Skills:

• Experience developing community partnerships and employment opportunities.
• Knowledge of IDEA transition requirements and compliance procedures.
• Experience supervising or training job coaches.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities efficiently.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Frequent travel within the community to job sites and partner locations.
• Ability to support and monitor students actively in a variety of environments, including vocational, academic, and community settings.

Work Year & Salary Range

• 184 days
• $70,000-$80,000 based on experience and education