Transition Specialist & TED

Job Title: Transition Specialist & TED Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Department/School: Special Services Dept. Pay Grade: Teacher Pay Table + stipend

Reports to: Special Ed Coordinators Date Revised: 05/2023

Primary Purpose:

Link students and families with agencies and supports necessary to support independence and attainment of life goals through post-secondary transition planning. Plan, coordinate, deliver, and evaluate transition education and services at the school and system level, in conjunction with other educators, families, students, agency representatives, and other community members.

Qualifications:

Education/Certification:

Bachelor's Degree in education with additional certification in Special Education.

Master's Degree preferred.

Special Knowledge/Skills:

Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations regarding transition planning for students with disabilities.

Knowledge of school and post-school services available to specific populations of individuals with exceptional learning needs.

Possess exceptional organizational and communication skills.

Ability to work collaboratively with students, parents, educators, administrators, employers and agency representatives.

Ability to provide professional learning and leadership for staff regarding transition planning.

Knowledge of service agencies who provide assistance to students with disabilities such as:

• MHMR
• Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
• Texas Workforce Commission
• Texas Department of State Health Services
• Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Experience:

Minimum of 5 years of experience as a special education teacher with knowledge of transition requirements.

Major Responsibilities and Duties:

1. Collaborate with the Executive Director of Special Services, Director of Special Services and Coordinators as needed.
2. Develop policies and procedures to meet requirements of State Performance Plans and Federal Indicators 13 and 14.
3. Collaborate with staff regarding policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Federal Indicator 13.
4. Maintain open communication with campus administration, school personnel, and special education personnel to assure support for transition planning.
5. Provide training, guidance and support for all middle, high school and 18+ special education teachers and speech-language pathologists who are responsible for student assessment and transition planning.
6. Provide new teachers training pertaining to transition planning and ARD documentation.
7. Monitor ARD documentation of Transition Supplement pages for Indicator 13 compliance, and provide additional training and guidance to staff members for clarification when needed.
8. Maintain a digital file with updated transition resources and current information for staff.
9. Update the GCISD Transition website with new or updated information related to futures planning.
10. Inform relevant school personnel about updates regarding federal and state laws, Commissioner's Rules, policies and procedures, and local Operating Procedures pertaining to transition planning and graduation requirements for students with disabilities.
11. Work with the student, the student's parents, school officials, and other agencies to enable the student's transition from school to productive adult life.
12. Collaborate with case managers and diagnosticians to ensure required outside agencies are invited to attend annual ARD meetings, when appropriate.
13. Attend ARD meetings for students when special expertise is needed for transition or post-secondary education opportunities.
14. Meet with individual parents, when requested, to assist with futures planning and agency connections.
15. Collaborate with teachers and job coaches to help develop pre-vocational training and secure employment sites.
16. Collaborate with Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to establish a full range of services and supports for students seeking employment opportunities.
17. Assist GCISD Parent Liaison by providing information regarding community opportunities and events for students and parents to be included in the monthly Parent Newsletter.
18. Network with community agencies to provide guest speakers for ISD sponsored parent information sessions.
19. Collaborate with surrounding school districts, the IDD Council of Tarrant County and other support agencies for development of employment networks and training opportunities for staff and parents (including the NE Tarrant County Disability Transition Fair).
20. Cultivate relationships with outside agency personnel to increase knowledge of services and supports available for students, and to develop possible training opportunities for parents.
21. Seek out and participate in professional development training opportunities to increase skills and knowledge related to transition planning.
22. Attend all TEA required training for district Transition and Employment Designee (TED).
23. Maintain confidentiality of specific student information in accordance with federal and state rules and regulations, and local district policies.
24. Observe professional and ethical standards, in accordance with generally accepted community standards and the Professional Educators Code of Ethics.

Working Conditions:

Requires travel to various sites throughout the district and community.

Requires ability to provide instruction in a variety of environments.