Transition Specialist - Full Time

Description

Position : Transition Specialist

Department : Mission Services

Reports to : Youth & Project SEARCH Manager

Status : Non-Exempt

Goodwill Keystone Area is committed to creating a culture of belonging where all people feel respected and valued. This is because we celebrate the diversity of thought, the richness of the human experience and the desire to reflect the communities we serve.

Summary

This dual-role position supports both the Youth Services and Project SEARCH in Berks and Schuylkill counties based on enrollment status of programming, assisting high school-aged youth and young adults with disabilities in their transition to competitive, integrated employment. The role provides community work-based learning, job shadowing, supported employment, and internship opportunities, while offering coaching and training to develop essential job skills, workplace behaviors, and employability. Collaborating with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR), families, schools, and local businesses, this position identifies suitable work sites that align with each individual's skills and interests to ensure participants gain valuable hands-on experience, receive necessary support, and successfully transition into the workforce.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Completes all initial meetings and paperwork associated with authorized services included intakes and plan development to determine interests, skills, and abilities to develop appropriate work-based learning, job shadowing experiences, and/or community-based work assessments.
• Document progress and participation in services as required by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and others, including completing evaluations/assessments, time keeping documentation, and preparing job analyses and coaching and fade plans. Complete data entry into Goodwill's Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) reporting and tracking system.
• Conducts and attends meetings with OVR, Project SEARCH, transition personnel, parent/guardians, and case management. Reviews progress, discuss & problem solve issues, and plan for future opportunities.
• Provides on-site support and monitoring by visiting sites daily to speak with supervisors, managers, and mentors to observe and record work behaviors. Develops fade plans as needed. Once fade plan is implemented, provides frequent check-ins to clients and businesses to ensure success and provide remediation when required.
• Facilitates successful placement of job or internship placement of clients by providing training, supervision, guidance, and teaching compensatory strategies to learn job tasks and work behaviors. Meet and make recommendations to supervisor, managers, mentors, as to job site modifications and accommodation. Assist in coordination of scheduling interviews with managers.
• Represents Goodwill Keystone Area in a professional manner to all customers, including clients, family members, service professionals, and the business community. Presents self as an appropriate role model.
• Provides instruction either in a group or one to one capacity to build employability skills utilizing curriculum material on such topics as Work Readiness, Self-Advocacy, Job Exploration, and Independent Living Skills.
• Handles all client information according to confidentiality policies established by GKA and all other governing entities.
• Travels to meet business needs of Goodwill initiatives including providing services at schools, client residence, with local business, etc. that support the effective implementation and completion of community assessments, supported employment, work-based assessments, and job shadowing services.
• Promotes an environment of workplace safety by training and informing others regarding safety standards/precautions. Monitors safety and takes corrective action. Ensures that regulatory safety requirements are adhered to.
• Communicates progress, problems and concerns to Youth Services administrative staff and Youth & Project SEARCH Manager.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Human Services or relevant field; or Associates degree in Human Services plus two (2) years' experience in relevant field; or HSD/GED and four (4) years' relevant experience which enables the individual to meet the standards and expectations of the position.

Skills/Abilities/Qualifications

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of clients.
• Bilingual/Bi-cultural (English/Spanish) desired but not required.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work maturely with confidential information.
• Must possess neat and professional appearance.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain ACRE Certification.
• Must have a valid driver's license, reliable vehicle, and satisfactorily complete a motor vehicle check on an annual basis.
• Must complete and successfully pass Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Clearance and FBI Clearance.

Based on programming needs, support hours may entail day, evening, and/or weekend work. Service delivery will include primarily, but not be limited to the following counties: Berks and Schuylkill counties

Goodwill Keystone Area is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination in employment. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to disability or status as a protected veteran.