What are the responsibilities and job description for the Transition Services Specialist position at Nebraska Department of Education?
Do you have a passion for supporting high school students and seeing them be successful? If you’re adaptable and great at building relationships with a variety of people (these positions work with students, their parents, and their schools and teachers!), this could be a great fit.
We’re looking for a Transition Services Specialist to join this large, collaborative team working with high school students in Douglas, Dodge, and Washington Counties. With the team frequently visiting different schools, virtual communication has become second nature, ensuring strong connections wherever you are. Plus, you’ll enjoy working with a respectful, supportive supervisor who pitches in whenever there is a need. If you are ready to make a meaningful impact on students' futures, apply today!
Essential Functions
- Visits high schools to provide career exploration services and work readiness skills training to high school students with disabilities. Provides education related to resumes, applications, and interviewing skills.
- Demonstrates beneficial soft skills (e.g., timeliness, dependability) and advises students in informed decision making, interpersonal, and vocational skills. Develops engaging, educational, and interactive group activities.
- Assists students with strengthening their self-advocacy skills related to their disabilities.
- Arranges job exploration activities such as informational interviews, job shadows, work-based learning experiences, etc.
- Develops and maintains relationships with students, parents, teachers, other educational entity staff, and businesses or employers to ensure quality services for each student and provide information about Nebraska VR services.
- Attends Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings to gain understanding of student needs and update school staff on VR involvement.
- Records accurate documentation and case notes on all interaction with students to inform school staff and parents or guardians, as well as other VR staff.
- Maintains regular & reliable attendance, possesses a valid driver’s license and travels independently, and works in a variety of settings.
Rehabilitation Specialist Additional Functions: Including the functions above, Rehabilitation Specialists also perform the Essential Functions below.
- Prepares and approves cases for client eligibility, priority groups, job goal, and plan for employment by analyzing and synthesizing medical and psychological reports, social, education, and employment information.
- Develops, manages, and approves Individualized Plans for Employment (IPEs), and employment outcome determinations.
Working Conditions and Travel:
This position requires approximately 40% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 60% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites within the community. Employees may be asked, within reason, to use their own personal vehicles for travel. There is also approximately two days of overnight travel per year.
Requirements / Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Service Specialist: Bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least one year of work experience related to the essential functions of the position.
Rehabilitation Specialist: Master’s degree with emphasis in one of the following areas: Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, Counseling and Guidance, or another field that reasonably provides competence in the employment sector, in a disability field, or both.
Preferred Qualifications:
Service Specialist: Experience working with, and advocating for, people with disabilities. Experience working with high school students and understanding of secondary school systems. Ability to manage high volume of cases and provide case management services while collaborating with teachers and other school staff.
Rehabilitation Specialist: Master’s degree in related field and progressively responsible experience working with, and advocating for, people with significant disabilities. Experience working with high school students and understanding of secondary school systems. Ability to mentor others in managing high volume of cases and providing quality case management services.