Transition Coordinator - Students with Exceptionalities

Poughkeepsie City School District•New York, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

The Poughkeepsie City School District (PCSD) is committed to providing students and parents with pathways to opportunity that will lead to achievement and success. Through student-centered effective and transformational leadership, school and community engagement, and an unrelenting pursuit to achieve greater school outcomes for children, the Poughkeepsie City Schools is focused on developing and growing greater access, equity, opportunity, and quality across PCSD. Under the direction of the Executive Director of Students with Exceptionalities Department, the Transition Coordinator is responsible for supporting the district-wide transition needs of students in preparation for graduation goals, future education and training, and career objectives.

Requirements

At least four years of experience as a school counselor in a secondary setting.
Knowledge and experience in post-secondary transition planning and services for students with disabilities.
Knowledge of special education regulations pertaining to transition, including level 1 and level 2 assessments, school-to-career programming and development, NYS graduation pathways including CDOS and SACC credentials.
Strong background in career and technical education and work-based learning.
Knowledgeable in the development of student-focused career development plans.
Knowledgeable in the requirements for NYS diploma credentials.
Knowledgeable in multi-tiered systems of support.
Understand the impact of trauma and poverty on student success.
Skilled in collaborative planning and team-based interventions that support student engagement in academic and work-based learning pursuits.
Familiar with offerings of local CTE providers such as BOCES.
Demonstrate the ability to develop relationships and collaborate with Community Partners able to provide work-based experiences to students.
Excellent organizational, time management, documentation and record keeping skills that support student centered activities being delivered and monitored with fidelity eventually leading to graduation and post-secondary goals.
Knowledgeable and skilled in navigating ACCES-VR applications for all CSE and 504 identified students, including those eligible for Pre-ETS Services, and facilitate referrals for all students with disabilities.
Key member of the Committee for Special Education for all assigned students.
Must attend meetings, report on student progress toward graduation, career and future educational goals, and complete the Coordinated Transition Activities and Post-Secondary Goals sections of the IEP.
Participation in CSE meetings consistently must include student credit acquisition and progress toward graduation, CDOS pathway activities and hours of work-based learning toward the CDOS credential, and any CTE experiences for which students may receive CDOS hours and/or credit toward diploma requirements.
Provide information to the CSE regarding compensatory score options for students to meet examination requirements for graduation.

Nice To Haves

CTE Counselor certification
Experience working in a high needs district
Bilingual or multilingual
Candidates pursuing certification in school building leadership or school district leadership are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Assists in the development of school-to-work programs and internship opportunities for secondary students through strategic relationships with partner agencies and community businesses interested in hosting students in work-based learning experiences.
Coordinates dissemination of transition related information for parents, students and stakeholders, including presentations on School-to-Work and Career-Exploration programs, Graduation Pathways and Post-Secondary opportunities, and support agencies.
Assists the Executive Director for Students with Exceptionalities in development of a current web-based application and brochure system detailing the areas of transition support available to students and how to access it within the schools and greater community.
Serves on the County-Wide Transition Planning Team, and attends monthly meetings of this committee composed of other school personnel and community agencies supporting transition to post-secondary services and education.
Coordinates a variety of assessment activities relating to transition and career readiness, including career interest inventories, level one career assessments, student employability profiles, Career and Work Readiness evaluations, and facilitates participation in CTE content area testing for students who meet the criteria for CTE credits and certifications.
Serves as a member of the County-Wide Transition Team and collaboratively works with neighboring schools and community providers to improve student access to meaningful work-readiness and preparation experiences, access to appropriate community support agencies, and uses shared information to benefit students' access to meaningful experiences and graduation requirements.
Serves as a resource to students, parents and community partners hosting students in school-to-work learning experiences to anticipate, prevent or intervene in situations that may be problematic with an eye toward improving student schools in navigating complex situations in a work environment and maintaining appropriate relationships and trust with partner businesses and organizations.
Identifies and reports to District leadership any problems with school-to-work placements or negative student experiences and problem solves with administration remedies to identified challenges.
Identifies and establishes relationships with local businesses and organizations interested in working with students through the school-to-work program, outlining employer and student responsibilities and requirements.
Obtains consent for participation in school-to-work programming by parents/guardians, and provides information to those regarding the CDOS pathway and credential, and how school-to-work can support attainment of a diploma and guide post-secondary education and vocational choices.
Provides on-site coaching for students in community placements for school-based learning through the School-to-Work program for students over the age of 16.
Meets with students regularly to review their educational, career and other learning needs pertaining to post-secondary transition.
Facilitates completion of OPWDD and ACCES-VR applications, including support to parents in completion of paperwork and submission of transcripts and evaluations required for eligibility determination.
Provides information sessions on graduation requirements, CDOS and other diploma pathways, the role of work based learning in career development for students, and provides an overview of the work-based learning opportunities for students.
Obtains feedback from parents regarding the District's career readiness activities and the supports needed for successful transition of their students.
Coordinates and collaborates with nonprofit agencies to assist student families in obtaining additional assistance outside the District; prepares reports as required.
Assists in the referral of students and families experiencing difficulties to community agencies for specialized services.
Supports the goals of local businesses and community partners by providing student workers interested in learning and gaining skills within their particular field, thereby producing a skilled workforce.
Attends school and district meetings and in-service programs.
Researches new material and recommends pilot projects for the purpose of providing the most effective interventions for the students.
Participates in the evaluation process of school-to-work sites and experiences.
Attends training and educational programs in the area of transition and student engagement.
Performs other duties as assigned.