TRANSITION CAREER COORDINATOR -AUTISM PROGRAM in Landover, Maryland at The Foundation Schools

$77,400 - $96,488 PER YEAR

FULL TIME

JOB SUMMARY

The Transition Career Coordinator supports school students with autism in developing the skills necessary for successful post-secondary outcomes, including employment, independent living, and community participation. This position identifies and establishes opportunities, coordinates, and monitors school-based and community-based vocational experiences, collaborates with families and community agencies, and facilitates real-world learning opportunities tailored to each student's strengths, interests, and needs. The Transition Career Coordinator serves as an integral member of the IEP team to ensure high-quality, individualized transition planning; align instruction and services with students' post-secondary goals; and help build a continuum of supports that promote self-advocacy, functional academics, and career readiness for students with autism.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt employee

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Develop, facilitate the implement of, and monitor individualized transition plans for students ages 13-21 in alignment with IEP requirements and post-secondary goals
• Ensure IEP meeting compliance, and that transition plans are developed for all students who need transition services; ensure that assessments are completed utilizing a variety of vocational and career assessment tools to determine students' transition needs.
• Write measurable, standard-aligned transition goals, and services within IEPs.
• Identifies and establishes opportunities and coordinate vocational training, job shadowing, internships, school-based work experiences, and community-based work experiences.
• Build and maintain partnerships with local businesses, community agencies, adult service providers, and post-secondary programs.
• Requires the ability to reliably transport oneself and accompany students to various off-site locations for vocational training, job shadowing, internships, school-based work experiences, and community-based work experiences. Must possess a valid driver’s license and maintain a clean driving record. Position requires the flexibility to operate company-owned vehicle or utilize a reliable personal vehicle with valid auto insurance coverage, depending on operational needs.
• Conduct career assessments to identify student strengths, interests, preferences, needs, and support requirements.
• Support students in developing independent living, social, and employment skills.
• Collaborate with teachers, related service providers, administrators, families, and community partners to align instruction, services, and experiences with student transition goals
• Collect outcome data for student post-graduate experiences; analyze data on student work experiences and career assessments; periodically provide reports as requested.
• Coordinate with the Education Director(s) to regularly update staff on career program progress and needs from the school community.
• Demonstrate an understanding of how our students' disabilities impact their behavior and ability to learn; display knowledge of students' diagnoses and adapt intervention strategies accordingly to meet the requirements of the students' IEPs and BIPs
• Effectively manages student behavior through the implementation of the behavior management system, school rules, policies, and procedures, models appropriate behavior for the students during the school day.
• Proactively identify behaviors among all students that could lead to a crisis, an unsafe situation or disrupt the learning environment; use effective behavior management techniques to address these behaviors to limit the severity and length of disruptions
• Facilitate student participation in transition-focused meetings and self-advocacy development
• Track and document student progress toward transition goals, and post-secondary outcomes
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local special education regulations and maintain required transition documentation
• Provide staff training and consultation related to transition services, community-based instruction, career readiness, and best practices for students with autism.
• Proactively provide supervision of students to ensure the safety and security of the school program at all times
• Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with The Foundation Schools' Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Statement and student record confidentiality procedures.
• Demonstrate appropriate use of verbal de-escalation skills to manage student behaviors; utilize the behavior continuum in order to use or consider the use of the least restrictive behavioral interventions necessary; use effective, appropriate, and approved strategies during a crisis including the participation in seclusions, therapeutic holds, escorts, and student restraints when necessary; consistently and appropriately utilize and model TACT 2 techniques or classroom behavior management strategies
• Works with teachers, therapists, school leaders, and other team members to determine the student and/or classroom needs and adjust interventions and practices to best meet those needs; work with team to develop interventions and/or incentive plans when appropriate.
• Actively participate in committees, meetings, supervision, and professional development activities
• Consistently model and implement the organization's core values to drive actions and to guide our students to incorporate Teamwork, Work Ethic, Integrity, Respect, and Leadership into positive behaviors
• Comply with all of The Foundation Schools' policies, rules, protocols, and procedures.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

BENEFITS

• Company Paid –Group Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Short Term Disability, and Long Term Disability Insurances, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan (Up to 8% employer contribution after 1 year of service for eligible employees), Educational Funds Assistance, 9 Paid Holidays, Paid Days Leave (PTO), Extended Sick Leave, Scheduled School Leave
• Company and Employee Cost Shared - Health Insurance (include prescription and visions benefits), Dental Insurance
• Employee Paid - Flexible Spending Account Plan (FSA) Medical & Dependent Care Accounts, Supplemental Life Insurance, Supplemental Accident, Hospital and Critical Illness Benefits
• Other Benefits - Credit Union Membership, Free Parking on Site, Professional Development Programs

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Experience and Licensure

• Bachelor's degree or higher is required, preferably in education, special education, psychology, social work, vocational rehabilitation, or a related field, master's degree preferred.
• MSDE licensure or eligibility for MSDE licensure preferred.
• Experience working with students with autism and/or developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of transition planning, vocational training, community-based instruction
• Knowledge and experience with various adult linkages to support students and families.
• Familiarity with IEP development, compliance requirements, and progress monitoring
• Experience collaborating with community agencies, employers, and families.
• Strong organizational, communication, documentation, and case management skills
• Knowledge of IDEA and its specific applications to educating students with autism and other disabilities
• Must maintain a valid driver's license, clean driving record, and valid automobile liability insurance.
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) abilities are a plus.

Physical, Interpersonal and Cognitive

• Utilize basic office equipment such as computer, tablet, telephone, fax, copier, etc.
• Complete reports and data input while using a variety of computer programs.
• Move and carry supplies; light lifting, non-repetitive.
• Maintain a professional demeanor and relationship with students, colleagues, families, employers, agencies, and community partners.
• Work positively and collaboratively with others.
• Maintain a professional work ethic and meet the standards of professionalism including appropriate attire, attendance, and timeliness.
• Demonstrate effective time management and organization skills.
• Prioritize and plan work activities.
• Use time and resources efficiently, set realistic action plans and goals.
• Speak clearly and be understood by others.
• Read and express thoughts in a written format
• Possess and demonstrates a high level of mental and emotional balance.
• Respond quickly and tactfully to crisis situations while using critical thinking to assess problems.
• Work with minimum supervision and meet deadlines.
• Physically restrain or assist in student restraints.
• Possess sufficient mobility to provide program support, provide supervision in school and community settings, and manage student behaviors.
• Ability to reliably transport self and accompany students to various off-site locations.
• Willingness to drive either company vehicles or personal vehicles based on scheduling and vehicle availability.
• Frequent travel within the local community; exposure to varying weather conditions during student transits