Youth Transition Specialist

Make an impact by joining ServiceSource, a champion for people with disabilities. Explore new opportunities! ServiceSource is an organization of talented people who drive innovation, embrace change, and strengthen communities .

Job Summary

The Youth Transition Specialist plays a critical role in a multi-year grant funded program designed to support disconnected youth with disabilities as they navigate the critical transition from school to adulthood. This Disability Innovation Fund (DIF) grant our staff support is administered by the Department of Education (DOE). These services aim to equip youth with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to achieve their training, education, employment, and independent living goals. Specialists are responsible for the implementation of instruction in job exploration counseling, workplace readiness training, self-advocacy, post-secondary opportunities, and work-based learning experiences for students and / or youth with disabilities ages 14-24. Develops individualized transition plans, coordinates with schools, families, case managers, and community resources for smooth transitions to postsecondary education or competitive integrated employment.

Primary Duties

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. These duties and responsibilities will be rated in the Annual Performance Review.

Conduct engaging, relevant, informative, and dynamic group or individual sessions with eligible students with disabilities, leading activities through standardized curriculum that covers the range of pre-employment transition services outlined through Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) standards.

Provide Workplace Readiness Training to individuals or groups of students with disabilities to identify and develop strategies for removing barriers to employment such as transportation or benefits, and soft skills training.

Develop and maintain positive relationships with partner agencies, school personnel, businesses, educational institutions, other departments and / or vendors to enhance menu of services, continuum of care, and the number of employment transition opportunities.

Locate and provide work-based learning opportunities for students to have internship experiences in the community and provide on-site work skills training to support the student's soft skill development while participating in the internship.

Complete accurately and timely all monthly reports, participant reports, case notes, and other supporting documentation.

Additional Responsibilities

Frequent travel throughout Orlando and surrounding areas.

Be aware of and respond accordingly to any specific needs of the students in the groups, including mental health, personal safety, accommodation needed in a group setting, etc.

Conduct tours and informational interviews with representatives from employers and educational programs.

Maintain students served, services provided, and outcomes attained in a client tracking database.

Provide Supported Education Services including assistance with educational paperwork, campus resources, special accommodations, curriculum understanding, and time management.

Provide job coaching at a community work site.

Complete family, student, and employer satisfaction surveys.

Transport students on tours of employment and educational settings.

Provide individualized transportation training and information on resources.

Attendance and participation in the ServiceSource Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) Communities of Practice.

Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications : Education, Experience and Certification(s)

Associate's Degree (AA / AS) in Special Education, Psychology, Human Services or related field, plus one (1) year of related experience with program development and training / working with students with disabilities required.

Bachelor's Degree (BA / BS) in Special Education, Psychology, Human Services or related field preferred.

Candidate may possess a High School Diploma or equivalent (GED) and at least three (3) years of experience in teaching, Special Education or Human Services and working with individuals with disabilities to substitute for Associate's or Bachelor's Degree.

Experience developing partnerships with employers and / or postsecondary educational institutions preferred.

Experience working with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) population is preferred.

Case management and / or documentation knowledge preferred.

Annual Criminal Background check, child abuse and other clearances that meet ServiceSource, State, and funding agency's criteria required.

Valid State driver's license, per state law, and / or access to reliable transportation to perform work-related travel required. Eligible drivers must have a good motor vehicle record (MVR).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Ability to travel daily to multiple locations in the local area, at times with little notice required.

Availability to work flexible hours, including evenings and / or weekends, when needed.

Fluency in a second language (Spanish or ASL) preferred.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with school system personnel, students, their families and vocational rehabilitation / services for the blind.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office skills, with the ability to become familiar with corporate specific programs and software.

Experience public speaking, training, or teaching in a group setting preferred.

Excellent oral / verbal communication skills.

Detail-oriented and able to carry out work with the highest levels of accuracy.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing this job, the employee is frequently physically navigating the office, school, and public spaces, and transportation. The employee may occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to use a computer and keyboard for work purposes. The position may require talking, hearing, and responding to others.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The employee will visit various locations in the community and can occasionally be exposed to outside weather. The noise level in the ServiceSource work environment is usually quiet. The noise level at locations at community locations could be quiet, moderate, or loud.

What We Offer - for Benefit Eligible Employees May Include :

Because ServiceSource hires the best people, we work hard to provide benefits that make their lives better, so we offer a comprehensive benefit program which features :

Health coverage for you and your family through Medical, Dental, and Vision plans.

Financial protection with 100% company paid Disability, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance.

A 403(b)-Retirement plan in which the company matches dollar for dollar on a generous percentage matching up to 3% of your contribution.

Tax advantages through Flexible Spending and Health Savings accounts that allow you to pay for specific healthcare and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

To help you manage your work and life needs, we offer an Employee Assistance Program, Wellness Program, and Tuition Assistance.

A generous paid time-off program in which the benefits increase based on your tenure with the company.

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, making employment decisions without regard to a person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and transgender status), national origin, age (40 or older), veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. We are an E-Verify Employer and a drug-free workplace. Pre-employment background checks are required for all employment positions.

PAY TRANSPARENCY POLICY STATEMENT :

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information