Vocational Coordinator

Alexander-Leigh-Center-For-Autism; McHenry (IL); On-site; USD 58,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Holidays

PTO days

Medical premiums

Disability benefits

Job summary

Alexander Leigh Center for Autism (ALCA) in Illinois is seeking a creative, motivated Vocational Services Coordinator to develop and lead prevocational and vocational programming for students ages 12–18. You will build school-based jobs, micro‑businesses, and community opportunities that foster independence and transition readiness.

Collaborate with teachers, families, and partners to design curricula, assess progress, and document outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in vocational education preferred.
• Experience with instructional design and modification of educational programs preferred.
• LBS1 or Sub-Cert.

Responsibilities

• Assess students to determine current skill levels and areas for growth.
• Develop prevocational, vocational, daily living, hygiene, and leisure skills with individual students.
• Create and implement vocational curriculum and exploration units.
• Develop school-based jobs and micro-business opportunities.
• Teach workplace behaviors, communication, problem-solving, and independence.
• Coordinate community-based learning experiences and transportation as appropriate.

Skills

Vocational education experience

LBS1 or Sub-Cert

Curriculum development

Education

4 Year Degree

Job description

• Base Pay $58,000.00 - $65,000.00 / Year
• Employee Type FT Exempt
• Required Degree 4 Year Degree
• Manage Others No

Contact information

• Phone [phone]
• Email [e-mail]

Description

Vocational Services Coordinator

Alexander Leigh Center for Autism (ALCA)

Classification: Professional
CFR: Program
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports To: Education Services Director & Executive Director
Supervised By: Education Services Director
Works With: ALCA Staff & Students, Parents, and Community Partners

Help Students Build Skills. Discover Their Strengths. Prepare for Their Future.

Are you passionate about helping students with autism and other disabilities develop meaningful skills that will prepare them for adulthood?

Alexander Leigh Center for Autism (ALCA) is seeking a creative, motivated, and collaborative Vocational Services Coordinator to develop and lead prevocational and vocational programming for students ages 12–18.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys building programs, creating hands‑on learning experiences, developing community partnerships, and helping students discover what they can do.

The Vocational Services Coordinator will design and coordinate opportunities that build students' independence and prepare them for ALCA's Transition Program and life beyond high school. This includes developing school-based jobs, micro‑businesses, volunteer opportunities, community experiences, vocational exploration activities, and instruction in daily living, hygiene, leisure, and employment‑related skills.

What You'll Do

Build Vocational & Life Skills

• Assess students to determine current skill levels and areas for growth.
• Work individually with students to develop prevocational, vocational, daily living, hygiene, and leisure skills.
• Develop individualized instructional materials, strategies, and techniques.
• Create and implement vocational curriculum and exploration units.
• Help students identify interests, strengths, abilities, and potential career pathways.
• Prepare students for participation in ALCA's Transition Program.

Develop Meaningful School-Based Employment

• Develop, expand, and oversee school‑based jobs such as the school store, gardening, cleaning, and other student‑run opportunities.
• Create and manage micro‑business opportunities that allow students to practice authentic employment skills.
• Teach workplace behaviors, task completion, communication, problem‑solving, responsibility, and independence.
• Provide opportunities for students to practice skills in meaningful, hands‑on environments.

Connect Students to the Community

• Develop relationships with community organizations, businesses, and agencies.
• Create community volunteer, vocational exploration, and employment opportunities.
• Coordinate community‑based learning experiences and transportation as appropriate.
• Help students gain exposure to real‑world environments and employment expectations.
• Collaborate with classroom teachers, the Transition Coordinator, high school and transition teams, related service professionals, and instructional assistants.
• Develop and write IEP goals related to prevocational and vocational skills in collaboration with the educational team.
• Monitor student progress and complete quarterly reporting.
• Participate in IEP meetings and other student‑related meetings.
• Train staff to implement vocational goals and instructional strategies as appropriate.

Support Students & Families as They Prepare for Adulthood

• Serve as a resource to parents regarding transition services.
• Provide families with information regarding adulthood at age 18, including guardianship, DRS, PUNS, ABLE accounts, and housing resources.
• Develop and facilitate parent meetings focused on transition and adulthood.
• Help families better understand available community and adult‑service resources.

Maintain a Safe & Professional Environment

• Implement personal safety and crisis intervention procedures as needed.
• Complete required incident reports within 24 hours.
• Maintain confidentiality of student, family, staff, and organizational information.
• Follow ALCA policies, procedures, dress code, and safety requirements.
• Maintain required CPR/First Aid and PCM certifications.
• Maintain regular, consistent, and punctual attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other disabilities.
• Creative and excited about building and growing vocational programming.
• Comfortable working independently while also being an active member of a collaborative team.
• Organized, detail‑oriented, and able to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• A strong communicator and writer.
• Knowledgeable about special education and transition services.
• Familiar with assessment, curriculum development, instructional strategies, and program modification.
• Able to develop and manage both short‑ and long‑term projects.
• A natural problem‑solver who approaches challenges with a solution‑focused mindset.
• Flexible, positive, and willing to learn.
• Able to remain calm and professional during challenging situations.
• Comfortable receiving feedback and using it to improve practice.
• Someone who leads by example and builds positive relationships with students, families, coworkers, and community partners.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in vocational education preferred.
• Experience with instructional design and modification of educational programs preferred.
• LBS1 or Sub‑Certification.

Summary

Why You'll Love Working Here

You'll Have the Opportunity to Build Something Meaningful

This isn't a position where you'll simply follow a curriculum that someone else created. You'll have the opportunity to develop new programs, create school jobs, establish community partnerships, and build vocational experiences that make a real difference in students' lives.

You'll See Students Discover What They're Capable Of

From learning to complete a job independently to interacting with a community business, every new skill can represent a major step toward independence. You'll have the opportunity to see those accomplishments firsthand.

Your Creativity Is an Asset

Students learn best when instruction is meaningful and connected to real life. You'll have the opportunity to think creatively about micro‑businesses, school jobs, community experiences, vocational exploration, and hands‑on learning opportunities.

You'll Make a Difference Beyond the Classroom

Your work will help students prepare for the transition into adulthood—not just by teaching employment skills, but by helping students develop confidence, independence, self‑advocacy, and meaningful connections with their community.

You'll Work as Part of a Collaborative Team

You'll work closely with teachers, related service professionals, instructional assistants, administrators, families, and community partners. Your ideas and expertise will help shape programming and create better opportunities for students.

You'll Help Families Prepare for the Future

Transitioning into adulthood can feel overwhelming for families. You'll have the opportunity to provide families with information, resources, and guidance as they navigate important decisions regarding adult services, employment, guardianship, community resources, and independence.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to participate in a physically active educational environment. Employees may regularly stand, sit, walk, run, talk, hear, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, climb, balance, and reach.

Additional requirements include the ability to:

• Lift or move students or materials weighing up to 100 lbs.
• Stoop, crouch, or kneel for extended periods.
• Participate in PCM procedures and strenuous physical activity.
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.
• Work safely with students who may display physically aggressive behaviors.
• Visually scan the environment while moving throughout the building, classrooms, and outdoor areas.

This position may involve exposure to human body fluids, biological agents, cleaning chemicals, hazardous materials, and elevated noise levels.

Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Equal Opportunity Employer

Alexander Leigh Center for Autism is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Aff...

This job description is subject to review and modification as organizational needs change. Essential and non-essential duties may be adjusted accordingly

Benefits

• 6 weeks of paid non-attendance time off + 6 additional days throughout the year
• 11 paid holidays
• 5 - 12 PTO days
• Medical - 50-60% company paid premiums for employees
• Short Term Disability - 50%/50% split with additional Long Term Disability at 100% company paid