Alliance/Partner Management, Benchmarking, Career Counseling, Case Management, Communication Skills, Community Programs, Community Relations, Crisis Management, Driver's License, Knowledge Base, Logistics, Management Strategy, Organizational Skills, Performance Analysis, Performance Reviews, Physical Demands, Record Keeping, Regulations, Regulatory Compliance, Safety Training, Service Delivery, Social Work, Special Education, Strategic Planning, Student Housing, Student Services, Team Player, Time Management, Training Program, Willing to Travel
North Andover Public Schools
Job Description
POSITION: Transition Specialist (Special Education, Ages 14-22)
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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: Master's 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 driver's 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
- $70,000-$80,000 based on experience and education
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North Andover Public Schools