Transition Coordinator

Overview As a Transition Coordinator with The Menta Education Group, you will prepare students aged 14-22 to embrace life after school in a behavioral, emotional and social capacity. You will bridge the critical gap between school and adult life by implementing an "outside-the-school-walls" mindset that centers on fostering student independence, building robust community networks and navigating the real world. Location: Hillside, IL. General Staff Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday‑Friday. Occasional responsibilities beyond work hours. Roles and Responsibilities Student Support, Coaching & Self‑Advocacy Supervise students in groups and individually, monitoring behavior to ensure alignment with programmatic expectations. Counsel students on personal, social, behavioral, or academic issues affecting their educational progress. Ensure every student actively leads or participates in their own Individualized Education Program (IEP) transition meetings; use assistive technology, visual choice boards or person‑centered tools to provide a voice for students with limited or non‑verbal communication. Manage complex dynamics where a student’s post‑secondary dream conflicts with parental wishes or current skill realities; apply strategies like "failing safely" (e.g., career‑testing, job shadowing and temporary classes) alongside stepping‑stone goals to gently navigate reality without crushing ambition. Compliance, Data, & Transition Assessments Evaluate individual student abilities, interests and personality characteristics using tests, records, interviews and professional sources. Administer age‑appropriate formal and informal transition assessments evaluating independent living, travel/transit skills, and actual work behaviors to formulate compliant, measurable post‑secondary goals. Apply strong knowledge of IDEA transition mandates to draft audited, highly scrutinized goals and dynamically pivot plans based on assessment data. Utilize robust organizational systems such as digital tracking tools, rubric‑based feedback from job coaches, and student self‑monitoring checklists to track and document progress when students are off‑campus at work‑based learning sites. Collaboration, Networking & Program Development Develop and maintain relationships with community sites, public transit systems, and external agencies. Develop work‑study programs, internships, and volunteer opportunities for students to gain competitive experience while completing their high school curriculum. Facilitate warm handovers to agency contacts and connect students with Vocational Rehabilitation, Pre‑Employment Transition Services, and developmental disability boards. Proactively engage local business owners, pitching inclusive hiring benefits and demonstrating how a transitioning student adds tangible value to their workforce. Workplace Intervention & Crisis Management Safely intervene when work‑based placements experience friction, behavioral incidents or employer misunderstandings. Use workplace mistakes as live curriculum, coaching students on how to navigate portals, look up records, request legal accommodations and repair professional relationships independently rather than filling out paperwork for them. Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree strongly preferred. Background in education or social work preferred. Deep, compliance‑centered knowledge of transitioning students as per the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) mandates. Documented experience placing and coaching students in jobs and assisting them in transitioning to college, career, and independent life. Ability to focus on the "real world," utilizing community agency networks, public transit routes and outer‑community resources. Knowledge of human behavior, performance and specific student needs (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD). High level of professionalism, strong decision‑making skills, and the ability to communicate calmly, transparently and effectively in writing across varied audiences, including resistant families, school teams and litigious stakeholders. Compensation Salary Range: $40,000 to $75,000 annually. Additional compensation information can be found at: Benefits Our benefits package includes comprehensive medical, dental and vision insurance; paid time off (PTO); and a 403(b) retirement plan with an employer match. Additional information: Equal Opportunity Employer The Menta Education Group (“Menta”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, gender identity and gender expression), color, national origin, religion, age, pregnancy or related conditions, veteran status, sexual orientation, disability or any other basis protected under federal, state or local law. Any individual needing assistance in making an application for any opening should contact Menta’s office. Additional Information This job description is not intended to be all‑inclusive, and the employee shall perform other reasonably related school duties as assigned by administrators. This organization reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr