Transition Services Specialist

Cape Abilities Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Cape Abilities Inc. seeks a Transition Services Specialist to design and implement transition curriculum for students and young adults with disabilities, aligned with WIOA and MassAbility requirements, and to coordinate work-based learning opportunities.

The role partners with schools, employers, and community organizations to prepare participants for competitive integrated employment, facilitate Youth Career Camps and transition workshops, and ensure compliance with program standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or related field experience.
• Experience working with adolescents or young adults with disabilities.
• Experience facilitating groups or delivering educational programming preferred.
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills.
• Experience building partnerships with schools, employers and community organizations preferred.
• Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings, weekends and school vacations.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement age-appropriate transition curriculum aligned with WIOA and MassAbility Transition Services requirements.
• Coordinate work-based learning opportunities such as internships, job shadowing, and informational interviews.
• Collaborate with schools, employers, and community partners to integrate real-world career experiences.
• Maintain participant records, attendance, transition plans, progress notes, and related documentation.
• Assist with billing documentation and reporting and ensure program standards compliance.

Skills

Curriculum development

Program coordination

Work-based learning facilitation

Partnership development

Public speaking

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Education, Human Services, Rehabilitation, Social Work, Psychology or related field

Job description

The Transition Services Specialist serves as Cape Abilities' subject matter expert in transition programming for students and young adults aged from 14 to 22 with disabilities. This position is responsible for designing and implementing curriculum aligned with the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and MassAbility Transition Services requirements, facilitating high-quality instruction, coordinating work-based learning opportunities, engaging students and families, and fostering partnerships with schools, employers, and community organizations to prepare participants for competitive integrated employment.

Curriculum Development and Program Design

• Develop, implement, and continuously enhance engaging, age-appropriate curriculum aligned with MassAbility Transition Services requirements and the five required WIOA Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS).
• Design lesson plans, activities, and instructional materials that promote career exploration, workplace readiness, self-advocacy, post-secondary education planning, and work-based learning.
• Ensure curriculum incorporates evidence-based practices, experiential learning opportunities, and interactive teaching methods that accommodate diverse learning styles and abilities.
• Collaborate with employers, educators, community partners, and Cape Abilities staff to integrate real-world career experiences into instructional programming.
• Review participant feedback, program outcomes, and emerging best practices to evaluate and continuously improve curriculum effectiveness.
• Ensure all curriculum and instructional materials meet MassAbility requirements and are maintained in compliance with program standards and approval processes.
• Develop supplemental resources, presentations, and training materials for Youth Career Camps, Transition Skills Workshops, family education sessions, and other transition programming.
• Research emerging workforce trends, career pathways, and instructional strategies to ensure curriculum remains relevant, innovative, and responsive to the evolving needs of students and employers.

Program Coordination

• Work in collaboration with Manager of CCS to plan and facilitate Transition Services including
  • Single-topic Transition Trainings
  • Work-Based Learning
• Documentation & Reporting- including maintenance of student records, attendance, transition plans, progress notes, provider portal documentation and outcome tracking
• Assist with billing documentation and reporting.

Work-Based Learning

• Coordinate and provide job coaching as needed for Work Based opportunities, including:
  • Internships
  • Job shadowing
  • Informational interviews
• Collaborate with Manager of CCS, Employment Specialists and Job Coaches to support successful placements.
• Recruit participants through:
  • School districts, Special Education departments, Guidance counselors, Families, Community organizations, colleges, State agencies, social media and community outreach
• Represent Cape Abilities at transition fairs and community events as needed.
• Work with Marketing and Manager of CCS to develop and create website and social media content advertising Transition services and training schedule.

PREPARATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Bachelor's degree in Education, Human Services, Rehabilitation, Social Work, Psychology or related field
• Experience working with adolescents or young adults with disabilities
• Experience facilitating groups or delivering educational programming preferred
• Strong public speaking and presentation skills
• Experience building partnerships with schools, employers and community organizations preferred
• Ability to work flexible hours including some evenings, weekends and school vacations

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Frequent walking, standing
• Ability to lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
• Ability to safely work with sharp instruments/tools.
• Exposure to the elements
• Ability to work in inclement weather.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job.