Program Asst,Ese Post Hs Empl Spec,C

Orange County Public Schools • Orlando, FL

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Director, this position develops and implements the ESE Post High School Transition Program. The program is designed to train students with moderate to severe disabilities (SWD) on employability skills, aiming to create employment opportunities for them within Orange County Public Schools. Responsibilities include working directly with SWD to provide work experience in local businesses, helping students develop successful post-high school employment plans and outcomes. The role also performs related work as directed.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree or higher; or at least sixty (60) semester hours from an accredited institution of high learning (official transcript required to validate education) supplemented by two (2) years progressively knowledgeable and responsible experience working with students at the secondary level who are moderate to severely disabled with an emphasis on teaching appropriate behaviors and work/life skills that will lead to opportunities for employment; with administrative support skills to monitor and document student progress and ability to effectively communicate with business partners, students, parents, and the teacher about the student’s on-the-job training skill mastery.
• Must have ability to supervise students with moderate to severe disabilities at a job site the duration of each day; and function independently with minimal supervision and supports.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
• All applicants for this position must be highly qualified prior to the start of their employment with Orange County Public Schools.
• Passing a third-party provided paraprofessional certification exam (e.g., ParaPro Assessment) can substitute for the educational requirement.

Nice To Haves

• Certifications/training in CPR, CPI, first aid and behavioral management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Respond to internal and external customers in a timely, accurate, courteous and empathetic manner representing OCPS in a positive light.
• Establishes and maintains effective communications and working relationships with various entities, i.e., business partners, teachers, district administrator in charge of the transition program, students, parents, and other agency personnel.
• As required by the student’s Transition Individual Education Plan, document student work performance data and submit weekly progress reports to the Teacher of Record.
• Assesses student employability skills for the purpose of identifying job placement potential; assists with job placement coordination and transition.
• Utilizes appropriate strategies and problem-solving tools to make decisions concerning job sites and placement.
• When appropriate, provides worksite consultation to identify barriers to employment.
• When appropriate, identifies for employers and assist with the implementation of worksite accommodations.
• Identifies supports that may be necessary in learning self-determination, i.e., travel training, career interests and ability matching.
• Keeps the supervisor and Teacher of Record informed of potential problems or unusual events.
• Represents the district in a positive and professional manner.
• Assists students in developing career goals using Transition assessments.
• Identifies and explores paid and non-paid community-based work experiences through job development and networking activities with community employers.
• Collaborates with employers and ESE district personnel to develop and/or identify work experience opportunities consistent with the expectations outlined in the student’s Transition Individual Education Plan.
• Attends staff development workshops as appropriate.
• Participates in Transition Individual Education Plan meetings as appropriate.
• In a timely manner, collaborates with district staff regarding Vocational Rehabilitation eligibility status of students.
• Respond to inquiries and concerns in a timely manner.
• Responsible for keeping up to date on current technology, as job appropriate, being used by OCPS.
• With the support of the district, attends training to ensure skill level in various technologies is at the level required to perform in current position.
• Responsible for timely and accurate information they maintain as part of their job responsibilities.

Benefits

• The Orange County School District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree