Pre-Employment Transition Services Specialist - Southwest Region
University of Missouri - Columbia (MU)
Columbia, MO
Full-time
Social Service
Posted on May 17, 2024
Hiring Department
Pre-Employment Transition Services Program
College of Education & Human Development
University of MO-Columbia
Job Description
Pre-Employment Transition Services Specialists will primarily serve in the Southwest MOarea/region, and others as assigned/needed. NOTE: this position is not located in the Columbia area and the individual(s) hired must live in and around the assigned Pre-ETS region indicated above.
One of the provisions in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, requires Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) in collaboration with the Local Educational Agency (LEA), to provide, or arrange for the provision of, pre-employment transition servicesforstudentswithdisabilitiesinneedofsuchserviceswho areeligible orpotentiallyeligible forservices.Thispositionis created to help meet staff capacity by providing highly qualified personnel who will work in collaboration with local education agencies and Vocational Rehabilitation, in the provision of pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities enrolled in Missouri secondary schools, who are not yet eligible for VR services.
Providejobexplorationcounselingtoincludebutnotlimitedto
· WorkwithstudentstodevelopaMissouriConnectionsaccountandstudentprofile.
· Usecareerinterestinventoriesandothercareerassessmentstoidentifyskillsandcareerinterestareas.
· Provideinformationregardingin-demandoccupationsandlocallabormarketcomposition.
· Counselstudentsto identify andexplorecareersintheirlocalcommunity and/orgeographicalregionwithinacareer pathway of interest.
CollaboratewithVRbusinessspecialists,LEAs,andlocalbusinessestofacilitateajob-shadowingmonthforstudentstoexplore careers in their field of interest.
· CollaboratewithLEAs andDivisionof WorkforceDevelopment (DWD)to facilitate a field day for students atthe local careercentertoeducatestudentsabouthowtoregisterforemploymentservices/youthprograms,fillouton-linejob applications, etc.
· Assiststudentsinidentifyingandexploringjobfieldsthatmayrequireapprenticeshiptrainingandvisitapprenticeship programs with students in the local community.
· Coordinatemockjobinterviewsforstudentswithbusinesses.
· AssistLEAstaffandVRcounselors/businessspecialiststoidentifyworkexperienceopportunitiesforstudentsinthelocalcommunity.
Providecounselingonenrollmentinpostsecondaryeducationatinstitutionsofhighereducationtoincludebutnotlimitedto
· Educateandinformstudentsofshortandlong-termpost-secondarytrainingopportunitiesandassiststudentsingaining an understanding of how different training options may meet their individual needs.
· Facilitatestudentvisitstodisabilitysupportservicesofficesatlocalcollegesoruniversities.
· Buildandsustainaneffectiverelationshipwiththestudentutilizingstrength-basedcareerplanning.
· Research degree or credential requirements for jobswithin the student's careerpathway of interest and work with the school counselor to identify ways for the student to develop skill acquisition for jobs in that career pathway through course selection.
· ParticipateinLEACareerandTransitionFairs,FAFSAFrenzyevents,etc.
· AssistthestudentinusingMissouriConnectionstosearchforcollegesandtrainingoptionsintheircareerpathway.
· Assistthestudentinlearningabouttheirdisabilityandtheaccommodationstheyneedtobesuccessfulinatraining program or academic setting.
· Assistthestudentinlearningthedifferencesbetweenhighschoolandcollege.
· Assistthestudentinresearchingthosecollegesortrainingprogramsthatofferspecificservicesforstudentswithdisabilities.
· Assistthestudentandtheirfamiliesinunderstandingthefinancialaidprocess.
Provideworkplacereadiness&socialskillssupporttoincludebutnotlimitedto
· Identifyworkreadinessskillsthatareidentifiedbyemployersaspriorityareasandreviewthoseskillswithstudents.
· ConnectstudentsandtheirfamiliestotheirlocalCenterforIndependentLiving.
· Work with students to identify and measure work readiness skills by developing or utilizing a work readiness inventory that willaddressthe followingareasthroughavolunteerorworkexperienceopportunityonoroffcampus:attendance, punctuality, workplace appearance, taking initiative, teamwork, quality of work, communication skills, response to supervision, problem-solving/critical thinking, workplace culture, policy, and safety.
· Reviewanddiscusstransportationoptionsavailableforstudentsforgettingtoandfromwork.
· Reviewanddiscussassetdevelopmentandbenefitsplanningwithstudentsandfamiliesbyconnectingthemwith appropriate resources and following up to discuss questions/concerns.
· Support the student's social connectedness and overall health by discussing with the student the importance of participatinginschool-basedactivities,after-schoolclubs,orcommunityserviceprojectstohelpconnectthestudentsocially.
Provideself-advocacytrainingwhichmayincludepeermentoringtoincludebutnotlimitedto
· Assistwithfacilitatingstudentunderstandingoftheconceptsofself-determinationandself-advocacy.
· Utilizeexistingresourcesandmaterialstohelpstudentslearnhowtopracticespeakingup,leadingtheirIEP/504orother personal planning meetings.
· EncouragestudentstotakeadvantageofpeermentoringprogramsintheircommunitiesincludingtheGovernor's Council – Youth Leadership Forum.
· Workwiththestudentstopracticeself-advocacyandskillbuildingthroughreallifeactivities,suchasorderingamealin a restaurant, etc.
Individuals selected for thispositionwilllive andserveinthePre-Employment TransitionServicesassignedareaabove,andothersas needed or assigned.This position is not located in the immediate Columbia, MO area.
Individualsinthispositionshouldbewillingtoworkfromahomeoffice.
The individual in this position should be aware that they will be traveling up to 75% of their time to assigned school districts providingpre-employmenttransitionservicesforstudentswithdisabilitiesinneedofsuchserviceswho areeligible orpotentially eligible for these services.
All applicants will be screened based on the preferred qualifications below:
· Required years of experience: Three to four years minimum; two years of teaching experience or guidance and counseling experience - would have frequent contact with state agencies, school districts, school personnel, and students enrolled in MO secondary schools.
· Bachelor's degree is acceptable but a master's degree from an accredited college/university in Education or a related field is preferred. A current MO Teachers Certificate or the ability to obtain a Substitute Teacher Certification is required. Teaching certification in Special Education for Mild/Moderate-Severe/Profound is preferred.
· Experience working directly with transition age youth/families and school personnel is preferred.
· The selected individual should be knowledgeable about disability programs and policies to include vocational rehabilitation, special education, career and technical education, career pathways; and should have strong communication, organization, relationship building, leadership, and community consensus-building skills.
· Travel and ability to work flexible hours will be required.
· Valid MO Driver's License is required.
Shift
This is a full-time, benefit eligible position.
40 hours per week
Monday - Friday (8:00 am to 5:00 pm)
Minimum Qualifications
Associate's degree in early childhood education, child development or related area or the equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.
Anticipated Hiring Range
Salary Range: Per grant funding, anticipated annual salary will be from $48,000 to $50,000.
Grade: GGS-008
University Title:CHILD DEVELOPMENT TEACHER
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.
Application Materials
All applicants must include a cover letter, current resume, and references with application materials.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website athttps://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.
Values Commitment
We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.
In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visithttps://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeoor call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-7976.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.
