ESS

Position:

ESS, Secondary Transition Specialist

Type:

Public

Location:

Urban

Job :

135164

County:

East Maricopa

Posted:

July 23, 2026

Contact Information:

Arizona Department of Education

1535 W. Jefferson

Phoenix, AZ 85007

District Website

Contact:

Human Resources

Phone:

Fax:

District Email

Job Description:

* This position supports the work of the Special Projects Unit in the creation, implementation, and monitoring of statewide professional learning and technical assistance to improve student outcomes with a particular focus on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B indicators that relate most closely to secondary transition areas.

* Occasional in-state and out of state travel may be required for this position.

The Arizona Department of Education currently utilizes a hybrid work environment, with up to two days of remote work (contingent upon business needs). Candidates should apply with ability and willingness to work in-office up to five days per week as business needs necessitate.

Job Duties:

* Provide information through training and technical assistance regarding secondary transition services, programs, laws, regulations, Attorney General Opinions, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) guidance and court cases to schools, state agencies, parents, and the general public to help achieve compliance and effective program services for children.

* Engage in statewide activities that increase best practices and compliance with federal and state requirements, including presenting at local, regional, state, and national conferences in addition to regional director meetings and parent group meetings.

* Plan, develop, conduct, and evaluate secondary transition professional learning opportunities and capacity building trainings.

* Develop presentations, charts, brochures, or handouts as needed to inform the public, parents, Public Education Agencies (PEA) and other state agencies of compliance of state and federal special education laws/regulations and practices/processes for implementation of programs to meet compliance.

* Organize and write materials and guidelines to be disseminated to PEAs and the public, addressing the latest changes and interpretations of federal laws, state regulations and Attorney General's opinions pertaining to transition services.

* Represent Arizona Department of Education (ADE) in national transition services work groups. Serve on task forces, fiscal review, Request for Proposal (RFP) teams, committees, and special projects for ADE.

* Serve as liaison among divisions within ADE, including Career and Technical Education and Academic Achievement, other state agencies Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Centers for Independent Living (CIL), Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), Social Security Administration (SSA), Behavioral Health Services (BHS), and community-based organizations for the purpose of improving transition services for eligible youth with disabilities.

* Participate in intra- and interagency meetings, serve on conference planning committees, research and publish articles jointly, and work with Institution of Higher Education (IHE) on teacher preparation programs and successful transition of students to postsecondary systems. Participate in ongoing discussions among state agencies relative to state-level interagency agreements pertinent to transition services.

* Participate in the collection, analysis, and reporting of data related to State Performance Plan (SPP) /Annual Performance Report (APR) Indicators 1, 2, 13, and 14. Assist in the development and implementation of SPP/APR improvement activities related to these Indicators.

* Attend conferences, write articles, solicit information from experts in the field, read newsletters, journals, books, regulations, attorney general opinions and laws related to special education and secondary transition in order to keep abreast of professional information and issues.

* Participate in the development, coordination, and implementation of ADE/ Exceptional Student Services (ESS) annual IDEA Conference, including participation in steering committee activities.

* Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge in:

* State and federal laws and implementing regulations in the area of special education and transition areas.

* History and development of special education

* The role of other states and private agencies in the provision of transition services to children with disabilities

* School-to-work initiatives, work experience programs, and employment models,

self-determination approaches, social security work incentive programs, preservice preparation programs for transition services, state and local- level interagency agreements

* School administrative structure and current sources of information for special education teachers

* Awareness of ADE/ESS resources and other state agencies (VR, CIL, DDD, SSA, BHS) available to PEAs for technical assistance and interpretation of regulations

* Understanding of SEA, PEA and private school organization…