| Description | 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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