Transition Specialist INTERIM

Job Title: Transition Specialist
Reports to: Executive Director of Special Education
Terms and Conditions: 11-month position 8 hours per day
Salary: Pro-rated to the actual start date salarybased on an annual salary rangeof $60000-$75000 depending on qualifications and experience.
Please click here for more information regarding salary and benefits.
FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary:
Work collaboratively with special education teachers Support Team and school staff in understanding the needs of students with special needs as specified in their Individualized Education Plan. Effectively work with team members to assess teach and monitor skills needed to secure post-secondary opportunity including employment.

1. Be sensitive to the physical and learning styles of students with respect to their identified disabilities.

2. Promote student respect for the rights of others in the classroom.

3. Recognize safety and health hazards and work to eliminate them.

4. Attend department meetings.

5. Work with the Director of Special Education Special Education Divisional Director and other staff members in curriculum development focused on the vocational needs of students.

6. Maintain positive professional relations with colleagues.

7. Hold high expectations for all students and demonstrate a deep belief that all students can learn and succeed.

8. Communicate openly with students staff parents and other stakeholders regarding students achievement and progress in the classroom.

9. Commit to equity and eliminating systemic obstacles for students of color.

Qualifications:

• Minimum of bachelors degree in rehabilitation counseling special education guidance & counseling or a closely related human services field.
• The preferred candidate would possess a current Professional Educator License with LBS1 Endorsement
• Minimum of one year of experience in rehabilitation special education or closely related human services field. Three or more years experience in working with students with special needs in a high school setting preferred.
• Excellent communication skills and a bility to work effectively with students parents and staff.

Essential Job Responsibilities

1. Interview and gather information about students to determine their eligibility for services the extent and nature of their disability and their need to and feasibility of their undertaking rehabilitation services.

2. Assume responsibility for an assigned caseload; gather and evaluate information on the customers medical psychological and educational background.

3. Counsel students to develop rehabilitation plans and transition from school to post-secondary opportunity in cooperation with school staff.

4. In collaboration with the IEP Team provide input regarding statement of needs and contribute to IEP goals. Attend staffings multi-disciplinary staffings IEP meetings and other meetings that pertain to the customers vocational rehabilitation and transition program.

5. Approve PECT work/training sites and monitor students progress.

6. Coordinate DHS/DRS services with school personnel and community

7. Maintain a continuous case-finding program through contacts with school personnel; establish screening and referral processes to ensure that all eligible students are offered vocational rehabilitation services.

8. Transition Specialist should comply with a certain number of referrals applications cases on Service Plan Successful outcomes (placements) which assists in meeting DRS annual office goals.

9. Develop and submit the Transition and PECT grants.

10. Gather students work hours with the assistance of the Pre-Vocational Coordinator.

11. Maintain follow-up until closure or case transfer to local DHS/DRS district office Document contacts with the students at least quarterly. May include annual student reviews work site visits and classroom visits.

12. Approve any circumstances that prelude a student ability to fully participate in 10-15 hours of training experience per week.

13. Provide in-service training for pre-vocational coordinator (s) and other school personnel

14. Attend local Transition Planning Committees.

15. Maintain records on students in accordance with DHS/DRS policies and procedures.

16. Adhere to all policies and regulations of the special education district DHS/DRS and the School Code of Illinois.

17. Participate in meetings and in-service training programs developed by DHS/DRS and the Special Education District.

18. Plan and Implement Transition Fair on yearly basis with emphasis on post-secondary options for students with disabilities.

19. Maintain and update Transition Resource Directory for Parents of students with disabilities.

20. Perform other duties as assigned by Executive Director of Special Education and Assistant Director of Special Education.

Physical/Visual Demands:
Standing sitting walking lifting carrying reaching manual dexterity talking hearing and near visual acuity required.

Environmental Conditions:
Standard office conditions. Some activities may occur out of doors.

This position description should not be considered to contain every function/responsibility that an individual may be asked to perform by his/her supervisor. Employees are expected to perform other related functions as assigned.

Oak Park & River Forest High School District 200 (OPRF) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.