Transition Specialist

Paraquad; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Paraquad pursues equity and independence for people with disabilities by offering transition services, counseling, and advocacy. This role supports individuals moving from nursing facilities into community living through person-centered planning, referrals, and follow-up services.

The candidate will coordinate with facilities, state staff and families to develop individualized transition plans addressing housing, health supports, transportation, benefits, and technology needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or counseling or equivalent.
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience if only a bachelor’s degree.
• Associate’s degree with 4+ years of relevant experience acceptable.
• 8+ years of relevant experience considered.
• Must be able to work in office and remote settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centered counseling, transition support, referrals, advocacy, and independent living skills training to individuals moving from institutional settings into the community.
• Assist with identifying goals, strengths, support systems, health and safety needs, housing preferences, and barriers to community living.
• Coordinate with facilities, state staff, families, and support teams to implement transition plans.

Skills

Active Listening

Interviewing

Customer Service

Professionalism

Resourcefulness

Organization

Multi-tasking

Time Management

Oral/Written Communication

Team Player

Microsoft Office

Database Environment

Transportation

Education

Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or counseling

Bachelor's degree + 2 years experience

Associate's degree + 4 years experience

8 years of relevant experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Database Environment

Job description

About Us

Paraquad champions equity and independence for people with disabilities through services partnerships, education, and advocacy.

About Us

Paraquad champions equity and independence for people with disabilities through services partnerships, education, and advocacy.

Position Summary

Responsible for supporting individuals transitioning from nursing facilities or other institutional settings into safe, accessible, community-based living through person-centered planning, options counseling, transition coordination, resource linkage, documentation, and follow-up services, as required by Show Me Homes/Money Follows the Person contract.

Key Responsibilities

Direct Services

• Provide person-centered options counseling, transition support, information, referrals, advocacy, and independent living skills training to individuals moving from institutional settings into the community.
• Help participants identify goals, strengths, support systems, health and safety needs, housing preferences, and barriers to successful community living.
• Assist with outreach and education activities that increase awareness of transition services, MFP, homeless services, and other community-based supports available to people with disabilities.

Transition Services

• Respond to referrals, conduct face-to-face sessions, and coordinate with participants, nursing facilities, state agency staff, families, guardians, and support teams.
• Develop and implement individualized transition plans addressing housing, personal care, health supports, transportation, benefits, DME/assistive technology, household needs, and emergency backup planning.
• Coordinate housing, community services, move-in needs, referrals, and required post-transition follow-up to support participant safety, satisfaction, and long-term stability.
• Maintain an appropriate transition caseload, including an average caseload expectation as determined by program requirements.

Reporting and Documentation

• Maintain accurate, timely documentation of participant contacts, referrals, assessments, transition plans, follow-up visits, and service coordination activities in accordance with Paraquad policies, CARF standards, Money Follows the Person/DHSS requirements.
• Complete required forms, reports, participant records, database entries, and program documentation in accordance with Paraquad, state agency, and funding requirements.
• Provide updates to the IL Manager and participate in quality improvement activities related to documentation, service delivery, compliance, and outcomes.

Miscellaneous

• Complete other duties as assigned by the IL Manager or program leadership.
• Follow agency policies, contract requirements, confidentiality standards, and mandated reporting expectations.
• Represent Paraquad professionally and uphold the independent living philosophy, disability rights, participant choice, privacy, and community inclusion.

Required Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in social work, psychology or counseling OR
• Bachelor's degree plus a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience OR
• Associate's degree plus a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience OR
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience

Skills And Competencies

• Active Listening and Interviewing
• Customer Service
• Professionalism
• Resourcefulness
• High Level of Organization
• Multi-tasking
• Time Management
• Oral/Written Communication
• Team Player
• Computer Literacy in Microsoft Office Programs and Database Environment
• Reliable access to transportation is required to complete participant visits, community-based appointments, outreach activities, and other job-related travel.

Qualifications

• At least one year of experience in a case management
• Personal experience with a disability or previous experience working with people with
• Understanding of and commitment to the independent living
• Working knowledge of disability and disability-related issues and methods of service

Working Conditions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time.
• Needs to move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. and positions self to maintain files in file cabinets.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as copy machine, phone system, and computer printer.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand and must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Must be able to work full-time in office environment 36 hours per week and/or remote 4 hours per week. Occasional flexibility with schedule as needed.
• Requires travel within 30 miles of the office and further as necessary.

EEO Statement

Paraquad is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individual's sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. We are dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment- fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Our employees proudly reflect the diversity and ideas of the communities we serve.

Accommodation: If you are unable to use our online application process due to a disability, please contact Barb Cant at 314-289-4200 or [e-mail] with the nature of your accommodation request.

Employee Certification

This job description is not intended to cover all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. Additionally, this job description does not constitute a contract of employment, and the company may exercise its employment-at-will right at any time.

I have read and understand the requirements of the job for which I have applied. I can meet these requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

Signature Date