Special Eduction Transition Specialist

North Andover Public Schools

Job Description

POSITION: Transition Specialist (Special Education Ages 1422)

DEPARTMENT: Student Services / Special Education

REPORTS TO: Director of Student Services / Special Education Coordinator

OVERVIEW

The Transition Specialist supports students with disabilities in developing the skills necessary for successful post-secondary outcomes in employment education and independent living. This role requires a dually certified professional (School Adjustment Counselor/Social Worker Transition Specialist) who works collaboratively with students families educators and community partners to design and implement individualized results-oriented transition services.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Assessment & IEP Development

• Conduct comprehensive transitional and vocational assessments aligned with student strengths preferences and interests.
• Interpret summarize and present assessment results at IEP Team meetings.
• Develop and implement appropriate measurable transition goals benchmarks and direct service delivery models.

1. Targeted Instruction & Skill Building

Provide individualized small-group and direct instruction integrating the following core areas into academic vocational and community-based settings:

• Career & Vocational Readiness: Pre-vocational skills career exploration workplace behaviors professional communication and workplace social skills.
• Independence & Self-Advocacy: Safety travel training community access and independent daily living skills.
• Social-Emotional & Behavioral Support: Social-emotional learning (SEL) emotional regulation coping strategies and real-time support during periods of emotional or behavioral dysregulation using therapeutic and crisis-management strategies.
• Executive Functioning: Organization planning time management and task initiation.

1. Community Programming & Job Coaching

• Develop coordinate and monitor community-based learning opportunities (internships job shadows employment experiences).
• Identify secure and evaluate appropriate vocational educational and recreational placements.
• Supervise train and collaborate with job coaches and employers to establish student accommodations strategies and ongoing performance assessments.

1. Agency Collaboration & Case Management

• Identify and connect students and families with appropriate adult service agencies (e.g. MassAbility DDS) and guide them through navigating adult service systems.
• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with community partners employers and state agencies.
• Collaborate with special education staff on post-secondary planning including college and training program exploration.
• Maintain detailed records of all transition-related activities outreach efforts placements and student progress.
• Coordinate and contribute to district-wide transition initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

• Education: Masters degree in School Counseling Social Work or a related field.
• Licensure/Certification: Current licensure/certification as a School Adjustment Counselor or School Social Worker AND certification or demonstrated expertise in Transition Services.
• Experience: Proven experience working with students with disabilities in school and/or community-based settings.
• Knowledge Base: Strong knowledge of transition planning vocational assessment and post-secondary outcomes; familiarity with state agencies and adult service systems.
• Core Skills: Excellent collaboration communication and organizational skills.
• Logistics: Valid drivers license and a clean driving record (required for transporting students to community-based sites).

Preferred Skills:

• Experience developing community partnerships and employment opportunities.
• Knowledge of IDEA transition requirements and compliance procedures.
• Experience supervising or training job coaches.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple responsibilities efficiently.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Frequent travel within the community to job sites and partner locations.
• Ability to support and monitor students actively in a variety of environments including vocational academic and community settings.

WORK YEAR & SALARY RANGE

• 184 days
• $70000-$80000 based on experience and education

Required Experience:

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