Secondary Transition Lead

Secondary Transition Lead

Great Prairie Area Education Agency has an opening for a Secondary Transition Lead beginning with the 2026-2027 school year.

Reports To: Administrator of Special Education Instructional Services

Classification: Certified Staff

Benefits: IPERS, generous paid leave package and monthly cafeteria allotment of $1,050.

Salary: 2026-2027 Salary Schedule (based on education and experience).

Job Summary

The Secondary Transition Lead will work with discipline members to provide professional development, support, and technical assistance to address the learning needs of students who are age 13 and older. Primary duties of this position are to provide coaching and support to AEA Special Education staff, to coordinate agency-wide secondary transition support and services with the Administrator of Instructional Services, and to coordinate statewide efforts with work within our AEA. Additional responsibilities may be to support the mentoring and induction process for new Special Education staff, and assist with the collection and evaluation of data.

This role includes a 0.2 FTE caseload release with a 0.8 FTE caseload. Additionally, this role includes up to 10 additional contract days beyond the certified contract role to support the responsibilities outlined below. Additional days will be at the discretion / as directed by the administrator.

The position will require travel across the agency.

Qualifications

• Education: Master's degree or higher and be appropriately licensed by the Board of Educational Examiners.
• Experience: Minimum of three years as a Special Education Staff member at Great Prairie AEA.

Essential Functions

• Have knowledge of and expertise in focus-area diagnostic assessments, evidence-based instructional practices and interventions, and progress monitoring assessments.
• Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated the ability to provide effective professional development and coaching.
• Experience or capacity to demonstrate positive interpersonal skills, cooperative teamwork, and excellent written and verbal skills.
• Deep understanding of Special Education Procedures and the ACHIEVE System or willingness to develop expertise.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build and maintain relationships with district staff and internal teams.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Additional Responsibilities

• Engage in virtual and in person coaching with individuals and small groups on content specific practices as well as general special education practices.
• Support AEA staff with questions and scenarios related to the content area.
• Lead internal and external professional development as directed by the Administrator of Instructional Services.
• Support IDEA-DA designations as directed by the Administrator of Instructional Services.
• Partner with other content leads to increase AEA staff's skills or competency.
• Partner with LEA's as directed by the Administrator of Instructional Services.
• Create tools and resources to support continuous learning and improvement.
• Support special education data review and action planning.
• Collaborate with special education leadership to align practices with the agency's goals and managed services initiatives.
• Contribute to strategic planning and continuous improvement efforts within the Special Education department.
• Maintain a high level of organization and confidentiality to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines as well as best practice.
• Perform additional duties and responsibilities as assigned to support the mission and goals of Great Prairie AEA.

Working Conditions:

• Regular travel requirements: Frequent travel is required between office locations and school sites within the agency's designated area. Travel often involves multiple trips within a single day and may necessitate extended periods in a vehicle. Occasional statewide or out-of-state travel for conferences, training sessions, and other professional development events is also expected.
• Physical demands: In addition to regular standing and sitting, the role may involve prolonged periods of walking or standing, particularly during site visits or meetings. Occasional lifting and carrying of equipment and materials (weighing up to 25 pounds) is required. This may include setting up for presentations, carrying materials to different locations, and managing files or supplies. The role also requires sufficient mobility and dexterity to perform office-based tasks, including typing, filing, and other administrative duties.
• Environmental conditions: Travel and on-site visits may expose employees to varying weather conditions and environments, including outdoor settings, school facilities, and community event locations. The ability to adapt to diverse environments, including loud or crowded spaces, is important.
• Visual and auditory requirements: Effective performance in this role requires clear and efficient verbal communication with staff, students, and community members. Auditory ability is necessary for listening to presentations and participating in discussions, while visual acuity is required for reviewing documents, digital screens, and visual materials.
• Mental demands: The role requires a high level of concentration, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. The ability to remain organized and flexible amidst frequent interruptions and variable work schedules is essential.

Terms of Employment

The work schedule and compensation will be determined in alignment with Great Prairie AEA policies and subject to board approval.

Evaluation

Performance will be evaluated based on the Iowa Teaching Standards with AEA Criteria, as outlined by the Iowa Department of Education, and in accordance with established agency policies for certified staff.