Transitions Specialist - Schools - West Bay RI

Transitional Specialist -

Develop and implement transitional services for special education students that are focused on social, intellectual, and vocational growth. Secure person-centered, community-based learning and employment opportunities for students transitioning out of educational settings.  Serve as a vocational mentor, social coach and community advocate while promoting preparation for a paid career.

Essential Functions

• Conduct comprehensive person-centered analysis of the person's history, interviews with family, friends and staff, observing the person performing work skills and career research in order to determine the person's career interests, talents, skills, support needs and needs for potential accommodations.
• Collaborate with community businesses to develop and coordinate paid and unpaid work experiences for students and adults with disabilities; observation of person and assessment of their interpersonal skills, work behaviors and vocational skills related to employment position.
• Coordinate, implement, coach and assess individuals' vocational skills, interests and abilities through job observations, job shadowing, tours of various work environments, and work experience activities for discovery and assessment.
• Facilitate conversation between students and employees at various job sites to develop natural supports, interpersonal skills and to learn about various types of skills needed to be hired in a given field.
• Provide training and assistance on locating and reading job descriptions, encouraging participation in career exploration process, and identifying labor market trends.
• Assist students with developing and improving communication skills for the workplace, requesting assistance, developing and maintaining professional relationships, problem solving, manners in the workplace, active listening, and understanding the work culture through classroom-based learning and through experiential learning in the community.
• Help students identify, learn and communicate job competencies required for vocational areas of interest. Compare students actual performance to that of a skilled worker within that field, implementing a person-centered plan to develop the necessary skills for employment.
• Provides job development and job coaching services to individuals with disabilities using a person-centered approach with focused intent and respect.
• Assist the individual with understanding a career ladder and provide assistance with developing a career plan for future personal and vocational growth.
• Job development: promote the program to new employers, advocate for the students supported. Assist with resume writing and interviewing skills.
• Job coaching: learn and teach a wide variety of job tasks, serving as an advocate and liaison between the school, students and the employer. Assess students' needs on the job site as they arise, implementing strategies to resolve needs or issues.
• Establishes a Task Analysis for individuals who are struggling to adhere to the assigned job tasks, need additional supports to learn and master the task, etc.
• Schedules and attends required visits according to program requirements, outside of school hours when applicable.
• Writes and maintains case notes and records visits, contacts, and overall vocational development and progress.

General Requirements

• Bachelors or Associates Degree preferred in special education, psychology or a related field.
• ACRE Certification preferred.
• One years' relevant experience supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
• Valid Driver's License, vehicle inspection, registration and insurance.
• Location: West Warwick 

What we offer you

• Compensation: $13.00 hourly
• Platinum Benefits: BCBSRI Health Insurance, Delta Dental Insurance with low bi-weekly contributions; Agency sponsored life insurance; 401K Retirement Plan; Tuition Reimbursement; Vacation time; Sick time; Supplemental AFLAC benefits (Accident/Cancer/Life Ins.) Employee Health and Wellness events, Employee Discounts; Career Development and Advancement Opportunities for those interested in the human services field.

EEO