Transition Specialist - Full Time

Goodwill Keystone Area; Reading (Berks County); On-site; USD 38,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Goodwill Keystone Area in Reading, PA, seeks a Transition Specialist to support Youth Services and Project SEARCH in Berks and Schuylkill counties. You will help high school students and young adults with disabilities transition to competitive, integrated employment through work‑based learning, job shadowing, internships, and coaching to build essential job skills and employability.

You will collaborate with OVR, project partners, and schools, conduct intake, track progress, and ensure safe,

Qualifications

• Requires flexible schedule to meet client needs.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Strong communication and confidentiality.
• ACRE Certification required within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake and plan development to determine client interests and goals.
• Document progress per OV R and manage data in ETO reporting.
• Coordinate meetings with OVR, Project SEARCH, families, and case managers.
• Provide on-site support and monitor client work behaviors; develop fade plans.
• Assist in arranging interviews and job/internship placements.
• Promote safety and maintain professional representation of GKA.
• Deliver group or one-on-one coaching on Work Readiness and Independent Living.
• Handle confidential client information per policies.
• Travel to schools, residences, and local businesses as needed.
• Communicate progress to Youth Services team.

Skills

Flexible schedule

Bilingual English/Spanish

Effective communication

Confidential information handling

Professional appearance

ACRE Certification

Driver's license & vehicle

Background checks (CR/CBC/FBI)

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field

Associate’s Degree in Human Services + 2 years experience

HS diploma/GED + 4 years relevant experience

Job description

Position

Transition Specialist

Department

Mission Services

Reports to

Youth & Project SEARCH Manager

Status

Non-Exempt

Goodwill Keystone Area is committed to creating a culture of belonging where all people feel respected and valued. We celebrate diversity of thought, the richness of the human experience, and the desire to reflect the communities we serve.

Summary

This dual‑role position supports both Youth Services and Project SEARCH in Berks and Schuylkill counties, assisting high school‑aged youth and young adults with disabilities in their transition to competitive, integrated employment. The role provides community work‑based learning, job shadowing, supported employment, and internship opportunities while coaching and training clients to develop essential job skills, workplace behaviors, and employability.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Completes all initial meetings and paperwork associated with authorized services, including intakes and plan development to determine interests, skills, and abilities for appropriate work‑based learning, job shadowing experiences, and community‑based work assessments.
• Documents progress and participation in services as required by the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR) and others, completing evaluations, assessments, time‑keeping documentation, and preparing job analyses, coaching, and fade plans. Performs data entry into Goodwill's Efforts to Outcomes (ETO) reporting and tracking system.
• Conducts and attends meetings with OVR, Project SEARCH, transition personnel, parent/guardians, and case management to review progress, discuss & problem‑solve issues, and plan future opportunities.
• Provides on‑site support and monitoring by visiting sites daily to speak with supervisors, managers, and mentors, observing and recording work behaviors. Develops fade plans as needed and provides frequent check‑ins to clients and businesses to ensure success and provide remediation when required.
• Facilitates successful placement of job or internship placements by providing training, supervision, guidance, and teaching compensatory strategies to learn job tasks and work behaviors. Makes recommendations to supervisors, managers, and mentors regarding site modifications and accommodation. Assists in coordination of interview scheduling with managers.
• Represents Goodwill Keystone Area professionally to all customers, including clients, family members, service professionals, and the business community. Presents self as an appropriate role model.
• Provides instruction either in a group or one‑to‑one capacity to build employability skills using curriculum material on topics such as Work Readiness, Self‑Advocacy, Job Exploration, and Independent Living Skills.
• Handles all client information according to confidentiality policies established by GKA and governing entities.
• Travels to meet business needs of Goodwill initiatives, providing services at schools, client residences, and local businesses to support effective implementation of community assessments, supported employment, work‑based assessments, and job shadowing services.
• Promotes a safe workplace environment by training and informing others regarding safety standards/precautions, monitoring safety, and taking corrective action to ensure regulatory safety requirements are met.
• Communicates progress, problems, and concerns to Youth Services administrative staff and the Youth & Project SEARCH Manager.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or relevant field; or Associate’s degree in Human Services plus two (2) years’ experience in a relevant field; or HS diploma/GED and four (4) years’ relevant experience sufficient to meet the standards and expectations of the position.

Skills/Abilities/Qualifications

• Must be able to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of clients.
• Bilingual/Bi‑cultural (English/Spanish) desired but not required.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to work maturely with confidential information.
• Must possess neat and professional appearance.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain ACRE Certification.
• Must have a valid driver’s license, reliable vehicle, and satisfactorily complete an annual motor vehicle check.
• Must complete and successfully pass Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI Clearance.

Based on programming needs, support hours may entail day, evening, and/or weekend work. Service delivery will include primarily, but not be limited to, the following counties: Berks and Schuylkill counties.

Goodwill Keystone Area is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws that prohibit discrimination in employment. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals without regard to disability or status as a protected veteran.