Transition Coordinator

Special Education Transition Specialist

The purpose of this position is to have an individual who can provide instruction/support/assistance in the area of transitioning from school to adult life to students, ages 10 – 22 with special education needs.

Qualifications

Education, Training and Experience

1. Bachelor's or Master's Degree from an accredited college or university.
2. An Initial or Professional license as a Teacher of Students with Moderate Disabilities, Teacher of Students with Severe Disabilities, Teacher of the Visually Impaired, Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, School Guidance Counselor, or School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor.
3. MA DESE Transition Specialist Endorsement or equivalent.
4. Demonstrated subject matter competence, highly qualified, in the area of licensure.

Knowledge Required

1. Foundations and implementation of transition education and transition services.
2. Individual transition assessment and system evaluation.
3. How to develop transition systems and supports.
4. Understanding of Special Education Law and Regulations.
5. Knowledge of transition planning for both Moderate and Severe populations of students.

Abilities Preferred

1. Ability to plan, develop, implement, evaluate and promote culturally responsive transition services for youth with a wide range of abilities and disabilities, including those in out-of-district placements.
2. Ability to conduct, manage, interpret and report transition assessment activities, including assistive technology where needed, across domains of self-determination, academic, vocational, independent living, and community participation.
3. Ability to create work-based learning plans and individual learning plans based on appropriate assessments.
4. Ability to connect students with adult service, community providers, and vocational rehabilitation services as part of student life and career plans.

Skills Required

1. Effective listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
2. Effective interpersonal and collaboration skills.
3. Skills in the specific tasks entailed in assessing students' transition needs and developing goals and objectives to meet those needs.
4. Effective caseload management skills.

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Supervises students with moderate and severe special education needs and assesses/supports/encourages positive and productive transition.

Supervision Given and Received : Supervised by Director of Special Education, Secondary or Assistant Superintendent of Special Education & Student Services.

Description of Duties:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position)

1. Assists district personnel with all aspects of transition planning and programming as students with special education needs move from high school to community and postsecondary school and/or careers.
2. Develop and oversee work sites and vocational programming specifically tailored for the 18-22 year old program to foster real-world career readiness skills.
3. Cultivate and maintain new vocational and community partnerships specifically for the 18-22 year old program to enhance student transition outcomes.
4. Conduct, manage, interpret, and report on formal and informal transition assessments to identify student strengths, preferences, interests, and needs across the four secondary transition domains.
5. Disseminate transition information and provide professional development to teachers/administrators.
6. Assist families, parents and students in sharing resources and understanding and accessing transition services.
7. Serve as a liaison between vocational program and special education teacher to monitor student support
8. Collaborate with guidance counselors to develop post-secondary options for students
9. Identify, establish and maintain linkages with adult agencies, including making 688 referrals
10. Attend/participate in IEP meetings
11. Write transition plans, developing appropriate transition goals
12. Develop and implement transition curriculum that facilitates the generalization of transition goals
13. Organize and facilitate community/family events to connect families with workplaces, colleges, and community resources.
14. Assist with grant proposals and identify external funding opportunities to support career and transition education programs.

Salary: As per the WEA contract.

Non-Discrimination Notice: Waltham Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Waltham Public Schools has partnered with the Massachusetts Partnership for Diversity in Education (MPDE) in our effort to welcome diverse candidates to our school system. We value and prioritize the hiring of educators who bring a wealth of perspectives and experiences to our schools, and who reflect the diversity of the students we serve.

MPDE is a collaborative of public school districts with a 40-year uninterrupted history committed to supporting the interest of its members to increase the numbers of teachers of color for their schools by providing recruitment support and related services.