Transition Specialist: DRS Liaison

The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has set ambitious goals to ensure that every childin every school and every neighborhoodhas access to a world-class learning experience from birth, resulting in graduation from high school college- and career-ready.

The Transition Specialist: DRS Liaison is responsible for informing, implementing, expanding and monitoring transition services for students with disabilities including but not limited to Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS). This includes planning for transition to post-secondary independence. The specialist implements a coordinated set of activities to move students with disabilities to successful outcomes in post-secondary employment, education, training, independent living, and community involvement through collaboration with school personnel, students, families, community partners, post-school service providers, governmental agencies, and employers.

The Transition Specialist: DRS Liaison will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Coordinate DRS services with students, families, and school personnel
  
  
• Implements CPS/DRS referral process
  
  
• Manages data tracking system needed to document each DRS Liaison of the student referral process
  
  
• Maintains a continuous case-finding program through contacts with school personnel; establishes screening and referral processes to ensure that all eligible students are offered vocational rehabilitation services
  
  
• Provides in-services to students, families, and school personnel on DRS and other post-secondary services
  
  

• Attends IEP meetings
  
  
• Supports schools in developing structures promoting student, school and family involvement in the transition planning process
  
  
• Implements district-wide programs that address community based vocational training, postsecondary education, and independent living skills training for students with disabilities
  
  
• Contributes to the development of key tools and strategies that drive the transition planning process in schools
  
  
• Responsible for implementing and/or overseeing school implementation of key tools and strategies
  
  
• Collaborates with external stakeholders, inclusive of city and state agencies, community agencies, post school service providers, university partners, and other organizations to identify school and community based transition supports
  
  
• Contributes to building a cross-topical, leveled professional development portfolio and delivers professional development on transition planning practices to students, parents, educators, and community stakeholders
  
  

• Informs district use of appropriate post-secondary readiness assessments to guide instruction and post-secondary planning for students with disabilities
  
  
• Ensures relevant resources and information pertaining to community living, employment and post-secondary education/training reach students, families and school personnel
  
  
• Supports the city-wide travel training program
  
  
• Supports and implements post-secondary related grants. Provides data to support future grant proposals
  
  
• Maintains accurate student records; responsible for assigned data collection to inform decision making
  
  
• Recruits and supports participants for activities such as career fairs, transition fairs, high school fairs, and job shadow days
  
  
• Participates in staff development activities and conferences in order to maintain professional growth
  
  
• Performs additional duties as determined by the Chief Officer or his/her designee
  
  

In order to be successful and achieve the above responsibilities, the DRS Liaison must possess the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated knowledge of regulations and procedures stipulated in IDEA with emphasis on transition planning
  
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of career development and vocational training opportunities, postsecondary education options, and school-to-career programming
  
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of vocational and other transition assessment techniques
  
  
• Demonstrated knowledge of strategies for developing, coordinating, and maintaining community based work training programs
  
  
• Knowledge of child labor laws
  
  
• Ability to work effectively with school based staff, citywide staff, and governmental and community based agencies
  
  
• Ability to promote and encourage parental involvement and participation in the transition process
  
  
• Extensive experience in developing and delivering professional training as it relates to school to career initiatives, comprehensive support process, special education issues, and teaching and learning
  
  

• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
  
  
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with administrators, staff, associates, students, parents and community agencies and employers
  
  
• Ability to establish and maintain data tracking systems and utilize various software programs for project and program efficiency.
  
  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds and to cultivate an atmosphere of cultural responsiveness, respect, and teamwork.
  
  
• Ability to collaborate to develop colleagues' skills and review work effectiveness
  
  

Type of Education Required :

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Rehabilitation Services, Counseling, or related field
  
  
• LBS-II Transition Specialist certification highly preferred
  
  
• Masters in Rehab Counseling and/or CRC highly preferred
  
  

Type of Experience and Number of Years :

• 5 years educational experience working with students with disabilities
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Spanish and/or American Sign Language preferred
  
  

Additional Notes:

• CPS employees are required to be actual residents of the City of Chicago within six months of beginning employment and are required to maintain Chicago residency throughout employment.
  
  
• Chicago Public Schools is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment-based non-immigrant and immigrant visas.
  
  
• Chicago Public Schools is an EEO/AA Employer. All qualified individuals, including minorities, females, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, are encouraged to apply.