Department:

Student Services

Job Title:

Transition Teacher/Specialist High School

FLSA Status:

(Exempt/Non-exempt)

Exempt; Unit A

Reports to:

Special Education Department Head/Transition Coordinator

GENERAL DESCRIPTION (1-3 LINES DESCRIBING ROLE):

The transition teacher/specialist will provide high school building-based support direct service coaching and consultation to facilitate a collaborative transition planning process across with students staff and families.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Qualifications:

DESE License or License Eligible in Special Education Education School Counselor Psychologist or other related discipline

DESE Transition Specialist preferred

Strong leadership skills

Strong multi-faceted transition planning experience and expertise across educational vocational community college and career domains

Experience working with a range of students with disabilities age 14-22

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES (NOT LIMITED TO):

Primary responsibilities are to develop and implement post secondary options including career development and post secondary education supports and services for students with disabilities as they prepare to leave high school. The Transition Specialist will provide linkages within the school for successful transition services such as sharing information with teachers and administrators; provide linkages with adult agencies and businesses; conduct assessment and career counseling activities; facilitate transition-planning processes; and educate special education teachers employers job and educational coaches and Institutes of Higher Education about the value of self-determination and transition options for students with disabilities. Family support and resources will be provided by the Transition Specialist as well as public relations activities; program development that is reflective of students preferences and interests; and program evaluation. Consistent and on-time attendance is required for supervision and instruction of the students Responsible for implementing other job related duties as needed.

Individual student support:

• Attend/participate in IEP meetings
• Meet with students to discuss transition planning and options
• Be familiar with various types of student-centered planning methods
• Work with students to choose most appropriate planning method based on individual style/preference
• Coordinate person-centered-planning with staff
• Assist students to participate in transition planning activities
• Facilitating access to vocational/educational opportunities within general education
• Identifying and referring students for more targeted vocational assessments as needed (like situational assessments)
• Developing community-based training and community work-based learning opportunities based on identified student interests
• Assisting student to examine/identify postsecondary training and education options connected to career interests
• Assisting students to complete job readiness activities- resume securing references interview preparation
• Assisting students to evaluate their postsecondary experiences
• Identifying establishing and maintaining linkages with community agencies and businesses
• Facilitating referrals to other agencies
• Assist students to present their transition needs to transition team
• Assist students in the community by providing transition services including but not limited to travel training and observations at job sites.

Family support:

• Assist families parents and students to access transition services
• Promote student family and school personnel understanding of laws eligibility requirements and availability of services

School-wide transition services:

• Identify transition services provided by community agencies
• Provide support guidance and professional development as needed to middle school and high school special education staff
• Focus on infusing transition services into programming for all students
• Recognizing naturally occurring instances of transition within the middle school and high school curriculum
• Supporting the development of TPFs writing goals objectives as needed
• Consult to teams (staff families and students) for various transition related needs (688 referrals transition assessment brainstorming student scenarios etc)
• Collaborate with adult providers and community partners as needed
• Provide resources to families disseminate information regarding local workshops conferences and trainings

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Work Environment:

Work is performed in office school and community settings

Physical Requirements:

Regularly required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Newton Public Schools is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Newton Public Schools ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of race creed sex color national origin religion age sexual orientation disability or any other class as protected by law. The Newton Public Schools places a high value on diversity and active recruitment of qualified minority teachers and staff. Any individual needing assistance in making application for any opening should contact the district human resources office.

Required Experience:

Unclear Seniority