Transition Specialist (Pre-ETS)

If you like to stay busy and immersed in cultural activities, then Washington, DC is the place to be! Museums, restaurants, great climate, green space and job opportunities are among the many positives of living in the Nation’s Capital. Not to mention the residents of the District of Columbia are highly educated and the region has some of the best schools in the country. Each day the District of Columbia continues to be ranked in the top 10 of thriving city indicators where you can live, work and play.

INTRODUCTION

This position is located in the Department on Disability Services, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). The mission of RSA is to provide comprehensive vocational rehabilitation and independent living services to persons with disabilities, which will maximize their quality of life and promote their employability and economic self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion and integration into society, and adjudication of disability claims.

The purpose of this position is to align with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, to provide comprehensive pre-employment transition services for potentially eligible students with disabilities, ages 14-22. The goal is to empower DC students with the opportunities and resources necessary for transition into postsecondary training, education and competitive and integrated employment opportunities.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Informs transition-aged students 14-22 with disabilities about Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS), participation criteria, and consent and referral protocols.
• Provides or arranges for the provision of Pre-Employment Transitions Services such as career exploration, counseling on post-secondary education, work readiness training, work-based learning experience and instruction in self-advocacy, for students with disabilities who need such services and who meet the participation criteria.
• Works with teachers to align Pre-Employment Transition Services with student’s Individual Education Program (IEP) transition goals to situational job sampling activities and assists teachers with the development of classroom/school-based situational sampling activities for their students.
• Assesses vocational interests, career goals, strengths and needs of assigned students, and report data in the electronic case files of the respective students
• Informs and educates school teams, students and their families about postsecondary training, education, and employment opportunities.
• Identifies and liaises with businesses, government agencies, workforce development boards, and organizations that could serve as internship, job sampling and paid employment opportunities for students.
• Provides workplace readiness training to enhance students' social skills, soft skills, and independence.
• Reviews and utilizes labor market trends to inform service provision.
• Coordinates with Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist and the school’s Individual Education Program team to align transition goals with Individualized Plan for Employment goals for VR students.
• Creates, plans, and presents training modules that are designed to improve the transition of students with disabilities from school to postsecondary education or to an employment outcome.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Applicant must have one (1) year of Specialized Experience at the next lower grade level. Two (2) years of related work experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position and that is typically involved with developing and implementing transition program services, including development of pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities.

EDUCATION

Master’s Degree that included or was supplemented by major study in education or in a subject-matter field appropriate to the position.

• Education cannot be substituted for experience at this level. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.

Non-Union

This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by local union AFSCME 2401.

Additional information

Once applications are submitted, applicants will not be able to change their responses to the online questions.

The position for which the individual is applying has been identified and designated as requiring enhanced suitability screening.

If tentatively selected for the position, a criminal background check, traffic record check, consumer credit check, and mandatory drug and alcohol test will be conducted (as appropriate); and

The appointee to the position may be offered employment contingent upon receipt of a satisfactory enhanced suitability screening.

Work Schedule

This position requires 4 days a week in the office.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.Your application includes your resume, responses to the online questions, and required supporting documents. Please be sure that your resume includes detailed information to support your qualifications for this position; failure to provide sufficient evidence in your resume will result in a "not qualified" determination.

EEO Statement

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.