Vocational Specialist: Internal Vocational Training

Nashoba Learning Group; Bedford (MA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Nashoba Learning Group in Bedford, MA is seeking a Vocational Specialist for internal vocational training across School and Adult Services. The role evaluates program quality and interprets vocational needs to develop training opportunities aligned with each student/member's goals.

You will provide staff consultation and coaching, support program development, and collaborate with families, vocational staff, and teams to ensure meaningful, functional programming that connects to future employment

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in special education, vocational rehabilitation, human services, behavior analysis, rehabilitation counseling, or a related field.
• Advanced degree preferred, or equivalent advanced vocational experience and demonstrated competency.
• Experience developing, implementing, and improving vocational programming, training environments, or work-readiness systems for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, or other significant support needs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of vocational assessment, goal/objective development, task analysis, systematic instruction, prompting and fading, independence-building, and progress monitoring.
• Experience providing staff coaching, training, consultation, or program oversight.

Responsibilities

• Program Oversight & Quality: Evaluates internal vocational programming and recommends modifications or discontinuation as needed.
• Program Development: Designs and supports implementation of new or improved internal vocational training opportunities.
• Vocational Assessment & Planning: Supports intake and translates findings into practical vocational goals and training plans.
• Programming Consultation: Serves as internal vocational resource for teams and suggests changes to tasks and supports as needed.
• Staff Mentorship: Provides coaching and training to Vocational Coordinators/Trainers and staff.

Skills

Strong organization

Problem-solving

Collaboration

Professional judgment

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in special education, vocational rehabilitation, human services, behavior analysis, rehabilitation counseling, or a related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

# Vocational Specialist: Internal Vocational TrainingNashoba Learning Group Bedford - Bedford, MA 01730; Nashoba Learning Group Billerica - Billerica, MA 01821## OverviewSalary Range$65,000.00 - $80,000.00 Salary/year## Description**Location:** 10 Oak Park Drive, 170 Lexington Road, 307 Great Road **Schedule:** Monday - Friday; hours dependent on program needs/location **Position Summary**The Vocational Specialist [Internal Vocational Training] serves as a vocational resource for internal programming across School and Adult Services. The Vocational Specialist evaluates program quality, interprets vocational needs, develops and improves vocational training opportunities, provides staff consultation and training, and supports complex programming decisions. The Vocational Specialist works collaboratively with vocational staff, student/member’s TEAM, and families to ensure vocational programming is individualized, functional, and connected to each student/member's vocational goals. **Responsibilities**· **Program Oversight & Quality:** Provides oversight of internal vocational programming across School and Adult Services. Evaluates whether training is meaningful, functional, appropriately challenging, and aligned with student/member goals; reviews outcomes and recommends when programs should be modified, expanded, redesigned, or discontinued. · **Program Development:** Identifies, designs, develops, and supports implementation of new or improved internal vocational training opportunities based on learner needs, program growth, available space, and organizational priorities. Develops training sequences, instructional materials, and task analyses for measuring progress and independence. · **Vocational Assessment & Planning:** Supports vocational intake and assessment processes, interprets assessment and performance information, and translates findings into practical recommendations, functional vocational goals/objectives, training plans, and next steps. · **Programming Consultation:** Serves as the internal vocational resource for student/member programming. Consults with teams on barriers to progress and recommends changes to tasks, supports, environments, objectives, instructional approaches, or vocational pathways as needed. · **Staff Mentorship:** Provides coaching and training to Vocational Coordinators/Trainers and staff on vocational program implementation.· **Donation Center / Thrift Store:** Provides vocational oversight for the purpose and quality of programming within the Donation Center/Thrift Store and develops or expands meaningful training opportunities. (Routine operations remain with assigned vocational staff). · **Transition & Collaboration:** Collaborates with the External Vocational Specialist and TEAM to support progression from internal vocational training to community-based experiences or employment, and participates in team meetings, program reviews, and other consultation activities as needed. · **Escalation & Professional Practice:** Identifies significant vocational programming concerns, uses professional judgment to address matters within the scope of the role, and brings issues requiring organizational authority to the appropriate leader. Uses preparation and administrative time effectively to complete program development, consultation, review, and documentation responsibilities. **General Responsibilities**· Reports to work promptly and maintains the schedule established for the position and assigned program location. · Follows NLG emergency, safety, and crisis-prevention procedures and maintains required certifications. · Ensures the safety and well-being of students/members within NLG programs and while participating in vocational activities. · Attends mandatory staff meetings and required organizational training. · Maintains required annual training hours and certifications in accordance with NLG policy. **Supervision and Performance Assessment**· Nashoba Learning Group uses clearly defined performance expectations, ongoing feedback, and demonstrated mastery of skills to support employee development and access to higher-level responsibilities. · This position will be evaluated/assessed annually by the designated supervisor on position-specific competencies, general performance, cooperation, teamwork, initiative, professional judgment, and follow-through.## Qualifications**Qualifications**· Bachelor's degree in special education, vocational rehabilitation, human services, behavior analysis, rehabilitation counseling, or a related field. · Advanced degree preferred, or equivalent advanced vocational experience and demonstrated competency.· If candidate is a current staff at NLG staff, must hold a 2-3 lead position or vocational position. · Experience developing, implementing, and improving vocational programming, training environments, or work-readiness systems for individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, or other significant support needs.· Demonstrated knowledge of vocational assessment, goal/objective development, task analysis, systematic instruction, prompting and fading, independence-building, and progress monitoring. · Experience providing staff coaching, training, consultation, or program oversight. · Strong organization, initiative, professional judgment, problem-solving, collaboration, and ability to accept and use feedback. · Satisfactory results for required background and CORI checks. · Driver's license in good standing when driving is required for assigned responsibilities. · Working knowledge of NLG policies, procedures, operations, and program expectations **Physical Job Capabilities**Physical Job Requirements of this job include: ● Physically capable of keeping students/members safe and in close proximity at all times, particularly during outings● Safely implement crisis prevention techniques and restraining students/members 50 pounds up to and in excess of 125 pounds when necessary Physical Movements Required for Safe Implementation of crisis prevention techniques: ● Quick and abrupt movements of upper and lower body (moving quickly, brisk and vigorous use of hands and arms)● Rotating upper torso movements ● Arm and hand movements to grasp, range of motion movement with upper body and arms ● Balance ● Lifting and lowering (bending at knees repeatedly) ● Prolonged duration of exertion with both upper and lower body, being in one position for periods of time **Salary Range:**$65,000 - $80,000 annually *The salary range listed above has been provided to comply with local regulations and represents a potential base salary range for* *this role. Please note that actual salaries may vary within the range above or below, depending on experience and location. We look* *at compensation for each individual and base our offer on your unique qualifications, experience, and expected contributions.*