Transition Coordinator

Summary:
The Transition Coordinator plays a crucial role in assisting the Transition Academy Staff in preparing students for a successful transition to higher education or the workforce. This position is responsible for supporting facilitating work experience opportunities for Deaf/Hard of Hearing students, both in high school and within the Transition Academy. Key responsibilities include collaborating with the Supervisor of Transition Programs to build and sustain relationships with community businesses and organizations, recruiting speakers, and promoting transition programs to stakeholders. Additionally, the Transition Coordinator supports Teachers and Aides in creating and implementing age-appropriate transition plans within student IEPs by conducting comprehensive student interviews for students 14-22.
Qualifications:

• Masters degree in education of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing or closely related field AND five (5) years of experience in an instructional setting OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrates specific knowledge of Federal Indicator 13 for post-secondary transition planning.
• Experience with IEP development, specifically transition planning.
• Collaborative & effective interpersonal skills for delivering guidance & support with school stakeholders.
• Understanding and acceptance of communication principles, which emphasizes full access to communication in the school and work environment, as well as the importance of self-expression and respect for each individual's communication needs.
• Strong communicator expressively and receptively in American Sign Language and in written English. Intermediate sign language skills required, advanced sign language skills preferred.
• Strong ability to work independently and cooperatively.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Ability to design programming and support transition staff in its implementation.
• Understanding of and experience with a culturally diverse student population

Responsibilities:

• Support Supervisor of Transition Programs to develop working relationships with organizations within the community and collaborate with internal staff and external entities to promote and implement student job site placement.
• Work collaboratively with students, families, school-based staff, and community-based contacts, including OVR and IDS, as needed, to ensure meaningful individualized transition planning.
• Support the K-12 Principal and the HS College & Career Preparation Teacher in order to provide work training opportunities for HS students based on goals identified in the IEP.
• Consult with K-12 Principal to support the coordination of transition activities for school aged students
• Assistant in the coordination of the work experience program for students summer under the City of Philadelphia.
• Support Transition staff in the development of the Transition Academy programming
• Support the IEP Focused Teachers in the development of Transition Academy IEPs.
• Review and provide feedback on transition plans in IEPs as needed.
• Communicate with students, families, teachers, LEAs, and the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) representatives and/or community-based stakeholders to ensure individualized transition plans and goals are current, measurable, and targeted.
• In collaboration with the Supervisor of Transition Programs, plan, organize, and advertise school-sponsored events pertaining to post-secondary transition, such as career fairs, meet and greets, and virtual tours for students and families.
• Inform and collaborate with guidance counselors as it relates to updates to transition plans determined by IEP teams.
• Maintain current and ongoing county/regional agency contacts to access resources for post-secondary education & training for students, families, and/or school personnel.
• Support the Supervisor of Transition Programs to establish connections with state and local service providers, consultants, and trainers to expand the school's resources for home, community, and work-based experience options for students.
• Serve as a liaison and ensure effective communication and coordination among students, families, IEP teams, the OVR, and other providers to develop job readiness and independent skills.
• Review to ensure all students have current vocational/career interest inventories, strengths profiles, and interagency contacts as needed. Follow up with staff as needed to ensure completion.
• Provide guidance in developing and implementing daily living skills including decision making, problem solving, safety awareness self-advocacy and the development of social behavior.
• Provide ongoing 1:1/small group support for students which may include resume and cover letter development, development of their career portfolio, setting up a bank account, as well as any identified individualized area of need.
• Write summaries of student work experiences and program updates for the Curriculum Corner Newsletter and Summer Newsletter, as well as other PSD publications upon request.

Requirements
Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

• Some lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling; some stooping, kneeling, crouching, and/or crawling; and significant fine finger dexterity.
• Generally, the job requires 40% sitting, 20% walking, and 40% standing.