Best Buddies International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
 
Best Buddies is the world’s largest organization dedicated to ending the social, physical and economic isolation of the 200 million people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Our programs empower the special abilities of people with IDD by helping them form meaningful friendships with their peers, secure successful jobs, live independently, improve public speaking, self-advocacy, and communication skills, and feel valued by society.

Job Title:  Manager, Transitions Program

Department:  State Operations & Programs

Reports to:  State Director/Area Director/Director, Operations & Programs

Location: South Shore & Cape Cod

# of direct reports:  none

Revised date: 8/11/2023

Position Overview:  The Manager, Transitions Program (MTP) will primarily be responsible for directly teaching, counseling, assisting and supporting adolescents/young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to maximize their independence through skill development and pre-vocational training. The MTP will plan and execute Transitions/ Pre-Employment Transition Services directly with students (1:1, small or large groups) in classroom or community-based settings to help adolescents/young adults develop social, vocational, and workplace competency skills. The MTP will utilize a person-centered approach to provide support and case management services for adolescents/young adults, engaging effectively with their families, employers, and other community providers. Each Manager, Transitions Program (MTP) will oversee volunteer management - program recruitment, intake and processing of all Pre-ETS referral documentation, as well as ongoing data management to reflect program impact. Staff will perform responsibilities professionally, in collaboration with other team members in accordance with Best Buddies core values, policies, practices, program funding and applicable regulatory agency guidelines.

Job Requirements

• 4 years experience or employment in job coaching, counseling, or special education; or other related experience working with persons with disabilities-- OR--Bachelor’s Degree in a related field such as rehabilitation, counseling, social work, psychology, education, human resources, business administration, or economics from an accredited college or university and one year of experience as described above.
• Preferably 1 year experience as an employment consultant and a proven strong record employer communications and relationship-- OR--1 year experience in special education or vocational training.
• Must be adaptable and able to quickly and effectively develop and balance multiple relationships and get results from a variety of people.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, project and time management skills.
• Strong written communicator who pays close attention to detail; demonstrates a strong initiative, drive for results and self-assessment skills as well as the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Must be comfortable engaging with people with IDD, meeting new people and addressing sensitive issues.
• Employment is contingent upon accreditation by governing state agency.

• Sharing an office space with peers (if applicable).
• Travel locally/regionally/nationally.
• Act as staff lead, when assigned, for a program or fundraising event.
• Manage a specific aspect of a local program or fundraising event or business.

• Plan, assist and/or implement awareness campaign(s) for Best Buddies Day and Month, and Disability Employment Awareness Month
• Must be comfortable with frequent local travel, use personal cell phone, and work evenings and weekends as necessary in order to accomplish job responsibilities.
• Access to an automobile with applicable insurance.

Job Duties include, but are not limited to: 

Programs

• Coordinate with Friendship Program staff to identify potentially eligible program participants including, but not limited to, students with IDD, high school and/or transitions program partners, and meeting clear benchmarks for number and retention of partners and participants.
• Develop positive relationships with families, support coordinators, referral sources, and other community stakeholders. Screen referrals and perform intakes for adolescents/young adults.
• Coordinate and implement Best Buddies Transitions Program curriculum through classroom-based instruction, small group, and one-to-one support as appropriate. Curriculum includes, but is not limited to, job exploration counseling, self-advocacy, workplace readiness training, work-based learning experiences, and post-secondary educational counseling.
• Coordinate with students’ support team to provide services consistent with students’ individualized needs as documented in the IEP.
• Assume full responsibility for a caseload of transitions participants, including documenting all services and communications in participant case records in a timely manner.
• Upon successful completion of the Transitions Program, initiate transfer of responsibilities to Jobs Program staff -- Job Development Specialist or Employment Consultant as applicable. Provide introduction to participant, natural supports/guardian, support coordinators and employer.
• Attend training as needed to maintain required certifications per state regulating agency.
• Actively engages in all Best Buddies Transitions related team meetings (virtually and in-person) to support national collaboration on best practices and alignment to national program standards

Marketing/Fund Development

• Work with supervisor(s) on fundraising events as directed.
• Provide information regarding potential donors/supporters to supervisor(s) as appropriate.
• Work with State Director and/or supervisor to increase awareness of Best Buddies through local marketing, public speaking and media initiatives.
• Contributes content and images for updates to state website and social media.
• Engages program participants in Best Buddies Day/Month activities.

Operations

• Complete required paperwork in a timely and organized manner, including but not limited to case file documentation; monthly, quarterly, and annual paperwork; reports required by local funding agencies; and incident and grievance reports.
• Maintain an organized filing system for all relevant paperwork, including intake forms and authorizations, and uses Salesforce and other databases effectively and appropriately to manage contacts; all data entry will be completed by established timelines.
• Collaborates with supervisor to ensure that all required reporting is completed accurately and in a timely manner to maximize funding.
• Collaborates with supervisor to prepare for any audits or accreditations. 

Best Buddies® is an affirmative action employer, in addition to an EOE and M/F/V/PWD/PV employer. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are foundational to Best Buddies International’s core values and help the organization continue to achieve its mission. Here at Best Buddies, our goal is to lead and advocate for a more inclusive world.

Best Buddies offers a comprehensive and generous benefits program that include financial security, health and wellness and time off.