Transition Coordinator

Department:

Student Services

Job Title:

Transition Specialist & Transition Coordinator

FLSA Status:

(Exempt/Nonexempt)

Exempt; Unit A .60 Teacher) & Unit B .40 Administrator)

Reports to:

Director of Secondary Special Education

GENERAL DESCRIPTION 13 LINES DESCRIBING ROLE):

Teacher Position: The Transition Specialists responsibility is to provide schoolbuildingbased support direct service coaching and consultation to facilitate a collaborative transition process with students staff and families.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Develop and implement postsecondary options including career development and postsecondary education supports and services for students with disabilities
• Provide linkages within the school for successful transition services such as sharing information with teachers and administrators.
• Provide linkages within the adult agencies and businesses
• Conduct assessment and career counseling activities
• Facilitate the transition planning processes
• Educate special education teachers employers job and educational coaches and institutes of higher education about the value of selfdetermination and transition options for students with disabilities.
• Family support and resources will be provided as well as public relations activities and program development.

Administrator Position: The Transition Coordinators responsibility is to oversee all functions and operations of the Community Connections PostGraduate Program.

Primary Responsibilities include:

• Supervision and evaluation of program staff
• Collaboration with high school teachers special education department heads and administrators to identify students in need of transition services
• Development and implementation of individualized transition supports and services including employment postsecondary education community training and travel training for individuals ages 1822 with disabilities
• Provide orientation and training to teachers teaching assistants parents and students on transition topics including selfdetermination SSI benefits ADA transportation and adult service agencies highlighting the difference between school and adult support.
• Ensure that students are referred to adult funding sources and connections are made prior to aging out

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOTH POSITIONS:

• DESE License in special education school counseling psychologist or other related discipline
• Massachusetts DESE licensure as an Administrator of Special Education
• Masters Degree or higher in special education administration or related field
• 35years experience in transition services
• Strong multifaceted transition planning experience and expertise across educational vocational community college and career domains
• Experience working with a range of students with disabilities ages 1422
• Demonstrated knowledge of special education regulations
• Ability to effectively supervise evaluate coach and mentor teachers social workers and teaching assistants
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOTH POSITIONS:

• Massachusetts DESE Transition Specialist Endorsement
• Ability to think creatively especially regarding resources
• Innovative approach to programming
• Strong work ethic

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES (NOT LIMITED TO):

• Supervise and evaluate all members of the Community Connections PostGraduate Program
• Encourage staff development and provide ongoing inservice programs for department members and community partners
• Assist program members in the handling of daytoday problems of instructions and guidance and act as a resource for them.
• Monitor and provide appropriate consultation services to students staff & families.
• Coordinate the hiring process for teachers and paraprofessionals in the department in the Community Connections PostGraduate Program.
• Continually monitor students progress including overseeing reevaluations and referrals to adult services.
• Coordinate personcentered planning with staff.
• Identify a range of appropriate data sources and effectively analyze the data for decisionmaking
• Coordinate the smooth transition of all students from grade 12 to the Community Connections PostGraduate Program.
• Supervise the development of individual education programs for special needs students.
• Monitor and encourage the development of new programs designed to meet the needs of students within the community.
• Attend/participate in IEP meetings as needed
• Meet with students to discuss transition planning
• Developing communitybased training and community workbased learning opportunities
• Assist students in the community by providing transition services including but not limited to travel training and observations at job sites.
• Assist families parents and students to access transition services
• Provide support guidance and professional development as needed to middle school and high school special education staff
• Consult teams (staff families and students for various transitionrelated needs 688 referrals transition assessment brainstorming student scenarios etc.
• Collaborate with adult providers and community partners
• Other duties as needed

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in school and community environments.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel locally (must possess valid drivers license)
• Ability to operate a computer printer telephone copier facsimile machine and all other standard office equipment
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods
• Ability to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 15 pounds
• Sufficient mobility to navigate within a large school building

Date Updated: 2/21/25

In compliance with state and federal laws Newton Public Schools is committed to equity antiracism and a nondiscrimination policy for students employees and prospective applicants. All educational and employment determinations are based on an individuals qualifications and achievements without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation age pregnancy gender identity genetic information national origin ancestry homelessness physical or mental disability veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and/or federal statute.

Required Experience:

IC