Transition Technician - Special Education - Westwood High School

Mesa Public Schools; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 20,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sick leave

Holidays

Retirement match

Health insurance

Life insurance

Performance pay

Experience credit

Education credit

Job summary

Mesa Public Schools is seeking a Transition from School to Work (TSW) Specialist to assist students with disabilities in career assessment, job development and placement support. You will collaborate with teachers, families and community partners to expand employment opportunities and ensure successful workplace experiences.

The role involves coaching students on interview skills, completing applications, arranging travel, and advocating for accommodations.

Qualifications

• High School education required.
• Current Arizona IVP fingerprint card.
• Valid Arizona driver’s license or ability to obtain one.
• Experience working with students aged 16–22.

Responsibilities

• Participate in recruitment activities for the Transition from School to Work (TSW) program.
• Assist students in acquiring mobility/transportation to keep appointments.
• Assist with providing vocational assessments to students.
• Provide assistance to students in career exploration activities.
• Under the supervision of the Transition Facilitator, implement a system for disseminating TSW information to employers, student, parents and school staff.
• Analyze work site and match TSW students that are deemed appropriate by the Transition Facilitator and Vocational Rehab counselor through person-centered planning and vocational profiling; gather and organize information useful for transition planning.
• Contact potential job training sites and employers in the community; develop and maintain a system for tracking employers.
• Provide structured training at community job sites consistent with student’s targeted vocational goals; provide follow-up support to students.
• Collect data as necessary to document student’s progress on the job; maintain an accurate case file for each TSW student.
• Provide support to eligible students as deemed necessary by the IEP/IPE Team.
• Provide 1:1 instructional support in vocational, independent living, and personal/social content areas.
• Attend all daily, weekly, monthly and periodic training meetings, as assigned.
• Regular and on-time attendance required.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit.
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools.

Skills

Portrait of the Graduate

Student support

Typing accuracy

MS Word/Excel

Diversity support

Organization

Interpersonal skills

Confidentiality

Lifting ability

After-hours flexibility

Education

High School education

Arizona IVP fingerprint card

Arizona driver’s license

Experience with students aged 16–22

Job description

• Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

• Forbes names Mesa Public Schools in their list of Best Employers in Arizona for multiple years.
• East Valley Tribune names Mesa Public Schools as Best Place to Work in East Valley for multiple years.

Employment Type

Full-time (40 hours per week)

Base Hourly

$17.78

Class/Calendar

A13, 10.75 months

Benefits

Sick leave, holidays, retirement matched through the Arizona State Retirement System, health, and life insurance

Performance Pay

Available annually

New Hire Experience

1% of the base hourly rate granted for each year of verified like experience (within ten years) beyond the requirement, up to a ten-year maximum

New Hire Education

1% of the base hourly rate awarded for an AA or higher degree if not required for the position

Job Summary

To assist students with disabilities in providing career assessment, job development and placement assistance, and minimal follow up supports pertaining to maintenance of employment, conflict resolution, and self advocacy; to provide recommendations and assistance with implementation for job accommodations to enhance work experiences and options; to work directly with students on interviewing skills, job and other application completion, travel training, and self advocacy skill training; and to develop business relations within the Mesa community for potential job placements and business partnerships.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in activities related to the recruitment of potential students for the Transition from School to Work (TSW) program
• Assist students in acquiring necessary mobility/transportation to keep appointments
• Assist with providing vocational assessments to students
• Provide assistance to students in career exploration activities
• Under the supervision of the Transition Facilitator, implement a system for disseminating TSW information to employers, student, parents and school staff
• Analyze work site and match TSW students that are deemed appropriate by the Transition Facilitator and Vocational Rehab counselor through person-centered planning and vocational profiling; gather and organize information useful for transition planning
• Contact potential job training sites and employers in the community; develop and maintain a system for tracking employers
• Provide structured training at community job sites consistent with student’s targeted vocational goals; provide follow-up support to students
• Collect data as necessary to document student’s progress on the job; maintain an accurate case file for each TSW student
• Provide support to eligible students as deemed necessary by the IEP/IPE Team
• Provide 1:1 instructional support in vocational, independent living, and personal/social content areas
• Attend all daily, weekly, monthly and periodic training meetings, as assigned
• Regular and on-time attendance required
• Perform other related duties, as assigned, to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the work unit
• Assists with other assigned duties as appropriate to the area of assignment and Mesa Public Schools

Required Qualifications

• High School education
• Current Arizona IVP fingerprint card
• Valid, or ability to obtain, Arizona driver’s license
• Demonstrated experience working with students 16 – 22 years of age

Preferred Qualifications

• College coursework completion in education, business, personnel or human relations
• Previous experience in social services supporting youth with disabilities or at-risk youth

Skills & Competencies

• Models the attributes and skills of the MPS Portrait of a Graduate
• Demonstrates commitment to the MPS Promise that every student is known by name, served by strength and need, and graduates ready for college, career and community
• Moderate proficiency in typing, with good accuracy; above average test battery
• Computer proficiency to include use of basic software applications (Word, Excel, etc)
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of students with diverse needs and interests
• Ability to organize, to prioritize, to work independently and to be self-directed
• Ability to establish and to maintain a positive rapport with students, district personnel and employers in the community
• Knowledge of school policies and procedures in working with students with disabilities; maintain confidentiality
• Ability to lift students as necessary
• Ability and willingness to work outside normal school day hours as needed

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Most work occurs within school buildings—classrooms, resource rooms, and offices
• May include visits to job sites, community colleges, vocational training centers, or partner agencies to support students in real-world environments
• Regular use of computers for documentation, email, scheduling, and reporting
• Frequent interaction with special education teachers, school counselors, general education staff, parents, vocational rehab counselors, and external agencies
• Occasional evening or weekend events, such as job fairs or community-based instruction
• Occasionally assist students with tasks that may involve light lifting or physical prompts, up to 50lbs

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

Mesa Public Schools is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding equal employment opportunity and anti-discrimination. The District strictly prohibits and does not tolerate discrimination against employees, applicants, or any other covered persons because of race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, ethnicity, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), age, physical or mental disability, citizenship, past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants and employees may contact Human Resources to request reasonable accommodations needed to perform the essential functions of this position.