Special Education Employment Support Transiton Specialist

Job Description:

The Special Education Employment Support Transition Specialist is responsible for preparing students for post-secondary outcomes in the areas of competitive employment and post-secondary training. The position requires community outreach to business leaders, city leaders, and/or non-profit organizations for the purpose of developing potential job placements for students with disabilities. The Employment Support Transition Specialist develops and implements programming for various students with disabilities, including students with intellectual or cognitive impairments, which provides the opportunity to learn work skills, and skills for self-determination, independent living, self-advocacy, and independent living. The Employment Support and Transition Specialists support students enrolled in Employment Training courses by providing opportunities to explore occupational fields in the community setting. The Specialist identifies a range of work-place options, including visits to businesses, job shadowing, situational assessments, paid and nonpaid community work experiences, and internships. The Specialist supervises job coaches who work directly with students in the community during internship opportunities. The Employment Support Transition Specialist coordinates collaboration with postsecondary service providers and agencies. The Specialist conducts appropriate transition assessments and assists in developing IEP postsecondary goals in the areas of employment and independent living.

Qualifications:

Education: Master's degree in Special Education or related discipline required. Minimum of 5 years of teaching or related experience.

Certificates & Licenses: Valid Virginia Department of Education license in Special Education or related discipline.

Minimum Qualifications and Skills:

• Demonstrates knowledge of transition assessments and ability to effectively communicate results and analysis in a manner easily understood by the student.
• Demonstrates knowledge of transition skills and content coupled with the ability to effectively communicate information and options in a manner easily understood by the student.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations as assigned.
• Ability to maintain a calm and patient demeanor with students, parents, and school staff.
• Ability to interact with students, faculty, and/or staff in a team environment.
• Possesses strong management and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates knowledge of Regulations Governing Special Education Programs for Children with Disabilities in Virginia, specifically regulations related to Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition planning
• Demonstrates knowledge of disability areas under IDEA and Virginia Regulations.
• Demonstrates knowledge of how disabilities impact an individual's ability to function in the post-secondary setting.

Essential Functions:

• Identify and develop internship sites within the community to provide students the opportunity to explore a variety of work experiences in order to build marketable skills leading to competitive employment.
• Connect students through referral and eligibility processes to appropriate community services, especially the Alexandria Community Services Board (CSB) and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS).
• Develop student skills and provide internship sites resulting in competitive employment.
• Plan with students, families, and agency personnel to determine career interests, specific job preferences (hours, location, etc.), skills, and abilities to develop an individualized approach to placement.
• Identify and create solutions for student behavioral concerns which may interfere with achieving and maintaining employment.
• Coordinate and facilitate employability skills instruction in areas such as communication, problem-solving, teamwork, grooming, budgeting, and self-advocacy.
• Recommend appropriate accommodations and adaptations required at work sites.
• Monitor and record daily attendance at work sites; teach students to inform departments independently of absences/tardiness.
• Assess students on a daily/weekly basis and layer additional skills.
• Coordinate travel training (when appropriate) through public transportation, or teach students how to access private transportation independently.
• Assist the student with developing a portfolio to include credentialing of skills attained, letters of recommendation from internship sites, etc.
• Collect data on student outcomes, including jobs gained, wages, hours worked per week, benefits taken, etc.
• Coordinate meetings with all partners represented, including parents.
• Perform specific job analysis, task analysis, and job matching activities.
• Develop linkages among other agencies to ensure an effective transition from school to work or from current placement to successful community employment.
• Refer students to appropriate agencies for support and services related to successful employment.
• In coordination with the student's case manager, develop a Summary of Performance Plans for each exiting student.

• Coordinate job coaches for student internship sites.
• Communicate regularly with business liaisons and job coaches regarding student progress and issues.
• Works collaboratively with public and private agency representatives to provide information sessions for students and parents, conduct eligibility and application activities and work to transition students from public school services and supports to adult services and supports.

Clearances:

• Criminal Justice Fingerprint/Background Clearance.
• Tuberculosis Skin Test.

Public Health Compliance

• Proof of COVID vaccination. Exemptions for religious/medical will be reviewed.
• Must follow safety and health protocols.

WP

Primary Location:
Central Office
Salary Range:
Teachers and Other Licensed Staff Salary Scale (http://www.acps.k12.va.us/hr/compensation/)
Shift Type:
Full-Time