Vocational/Transition Counselor

Springfield Public Schools•Springfield, MA

About The Position

The Vocational/Transitional Counselor supports high school and Transition Academy students with moderate to severe exceptional learning needs by coordinating and implementing comprehensive vocational and transition services. This role focuses on preparing students for successful post-secondary outcomes through individualized transition planning, vocational assessments, community-based training, workplace readiness instruction, and collaboration with families, schools, and community agencies. The counselor ensures that transition goals and services are aligned with each student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) and promotes student independence, employability, and community integration.

Requirements

Masters Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or Counseling Psychology or Special Education
a minimum of 5 years of experience

Responsibilities

Conduct vocational assessments for students with special needs and incorporate assessment findings into each student’s transition plan and IEP.
Collaborate with IEP teams to identify student needs and develop appropriate pre-vocational, vocational, and work-based learning experiences.
Coordinate and maintain partnerships with schools, community agencies, employers, and service providers to support community-based instruction and vocational training opportunities aligned with students’ transition goals and objectives.
Provide direct instruction and support to individual students and small groups in areas such as workplace readiness, travel training, job exploration, self-advocacy, and community access skills.
Deliver on-site job coaching and implement problem-solving strategies to assist students in developing independence and successfully performing workplace tasks.
Utilize the Massachusetts Work-Based Learning Plan and other adapted transition planning tools to support student progress and skill development.
Assist post-secondary teachers and paraprofessionals with maintaining accurate student records, documentation, and required forms related to transition services.
Communicate student progress with families through progress reports, meetings, and participation in IEP meetings as appropriate.
Identify and develop appropriate vocational placements, community work experiences, and transition programs for secondary and post-secondary students receiving special education services.
Maintain ongoing communication and collaboration with employers, adult service agencies, and state organizations, including the Department of Developmental Services (DDS), Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC), and related agencies.
Provide consultation and technical assistance to secondary and post-secondary staff regarding transition compliance, curriculum development, implementation of transition-based programming, and best practices in transition planning.
Collaborate with the Director of Transportation and/or designee to coordinate transportation schedules and ensure student access to community-based vocational and transition activities.
Participate in local and statewide transition committees, professional development opportunities, and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) initiatives to support dissemination of current transition practices and resources to district staff.