McPherson County Special Education Cooperative has a job opening for a Transition Consultant effective for the 2021/2022 school year.

Experience:                 Job related experience with increasing levels of responsibility is desired.

Education:                   Bachelor’s or Master’s degree

Certificate/License:       KSDE Approved Licensure

Status:                        School Year Term – Benefit Eligible

Salary:                         Certified Salary Schedule__Determined by qualifications and experience

Location:                     McPherson County Special Education Cooperative

Report to:                    McCSEC Assistant Director

FSLA Classification:       Exempt

Purpose Statement

The job of Transition Consultant is done for the purpose(s) of providing support to the instructional program with specific responsibilities for coordinating pre-vocational and vocational training opportunities for special education students; developing work experience opportunities for students by maintaining liaisons with community businesses and organizations; providing information and direction to students; and creating transitions for special needs students from school into a more independent environment within the community.

Essential Functions

• Assists teachers and related staff for the purpose of supporting lesson plans that develop students` vocational and pre-vocational skills.

• Coaches students in vocational skills (e.g. work requirements- interviewing skills- vocational soft skills- etc.) for the purpose of enhancing their readiness for employment.

• Coordinates employer and school partners within the community for the purpose of meeting the work education objectives.

• Coordinates program activities (e.g. employer and school partners- transportation- community based instruction- vocational room- etc.) for the purpose of completing activities in a timely manner and meeting the work education objectives.

• Counsels students (e.g. job search skills- role within the vocational placement- etc.) for the purpose of informing them of employment- career options- and developing an interest in successful job-site performance. 

• Develops individual education plan goals and other written materials for student IEPs for the purpose of establishing strategies/opportunities for student success.

• Maintains complete confidentiality and professional discretion with a variety of confidential and non-confidential activities- files and records (e.g. conversations- emails- student information- partnership lists- etc.) for the purpose of documenting activities- complying with mandated requirements- and providing up-to-date information.

• Monitors students` performance at a variety of work sites according to program guidelines for the purpose of identifying areas requiring additional training on techniques and methods for maintaining solid work habits.

• Monitors student job locations for the purpose of ensuring compliance with pertinent child labor laws- insurance guidelines- and safety.

• Participates in a variety of meetings (e.g. workshops- in-services- staff meetings- etc.) for the purpose of conveying and gathering information required to perform functions and remaining knowledgeable with program guidelines.

• Prepares documents- files- and records (e.g. reports- instructions- memos- job coach evaluations- IEP goals and objectives- etc.) for the purpose of communicating information to other parties.

• Promotes the program to the business community for the purpose of educational needs.

• Provides training and support to special education staff on the transition planning requirements in the IEP for the purpose of creating plans to support student success after high school.

• Responds to inquiries from a variety of internal and external sources for the purpose of resolving problems- providing information- and referring to appropriate personnel.

• Serves as a liason between students’ and outside agencies for the purpose of providing support to all involved parties while ensuring appropriate actions to be taken.

• Supervises and evaluates job coaches / paraeducators (e.g. scheduling- evaluating- guiding- supporting- etc.) for the purpose of ensuring standards are achieved and performance maximized.

• Supports the assessment of student pre-vocational and vocational needs for the purpose of developing and implementing an educational transition from school to community.

• Transports students for the purpose of ensuring students arrival to vocational activities.

• Travels to multiple work sites for the purpose of supporting student vocational activities and services.

Other Functions

• Performs other related duties as assigned for the purpose of ensuring the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.

Job Requirements: Minimum Qualifications

Skills- Knowledge and Abilities

SKILLS are required to perform multiple- technical tasks with a need to occasionally upgrade skills in order to meet changing job conditions. Specific skill based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: applying assessment instruments; operating standard office equipment including pertinent software applications; organizing and prioritizing tasks; and preparing and maintaining accurate records.

KNOWLEDGE is required to perform basic math- including calculations using fractions- percents- and/or ratios; read a variety of manuals- write documents following prescribed formats- and/or present information to others; and analyze situations to define issues and draw conclusions. Specific knowledge based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: range of disabilities; safe practices in work sites and other activities; record keeping techniques; modern office practices and procedures; and pertinent federal and state labor laws and program requirements.

ABILITY is required to schedule a significant number of activities- meetings- and/or events; gather- collate- and/or classify data; and use job-related equipment. Flexibility is required to independently work with others in a wide variety of circumstances; work with data utilizing defined and similar processes; and operate equipment using standardized methods. Ability is also required to work with a diversity of individuals and/or groups; work with data of varied types and/or purposes; and utilize job-related equipment. Problem solving is required to analyze issues and create action plans. Problem solving with data frequently requires independent interpretation of guidelines; and problem solving with equipment is limited. Specific ability based competencies required to satisfactorily perform the functions of the job include: communicating with diverse groups; maintaining confidentiality; working as part of a team; meeting deadlines and schedules; collaborating with others; analyzing situations and taking appropriate action; demonstrating self motivation and flexibility; and delegating responsibilities.

Responsibility

Responsibilities include: working under limited supervision following standardized practices and/or methods; directing other persons within a small work unit; operating within a defined budget. Utilization of resources from other work units is often required to perform the job`s functions. There is a continual opportunity to impact the organization’s services.

Work Environment

The usual and customary methods of performing the job`s functions require the following physical demands: occasional lifting and carrying up to fifty (50) pounds- some pushing- and/or pulling- and significant fine finger dexterity. Generally the job requires 30% sitting- 60% walking- and 10% standing. The job is performed under some temperature extremes and in a generally hazard free environment. The job is performed under conditions with some exposure to risk of injury and/or illness.

Do you believe that relationships are the cornerstone of a good education? Do you believe that curriculum and instruction should be both rigorous and relevant? If so, McPherson USD 418 is the place for you!