Transition Specialist, Department of Rehabilitation Services

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 600+ schools and employing approximately 40,000 people, most of them teachers. CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life. In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity. Six core values are embedded within these commitments - student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The Office of Diverse Learner Supports & Services (ODLSS) is responsible for student evaluations, creating and monitoring Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and working with schools, staff, and families to fulfill these plans toward greater student development and achievement. ODLSS uses a data-driven approach to best support the needs of each individual student and does so in compliance with federal and state regulations regarding special education, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Job Summary:

The Transition Specialist, DRS Liaison will be responsible for supporting the implementation, expansion and monitoring the successful execution of transition services for students with disabilities, including but not limited to services supported or provided by the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS), part of the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). The Transition Specialist will implement coordinated activities to support students with disabilities in their transition to successful outcomes in post-secondary employment, education, training, independent living, and community involvement. This position will report to the ODLSS Transition Manager.

The Transition Specialist will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Serve as a liaison for an assigned caseload of schools, connecting students, families, and school personnel with support and services provided through DRS
• Facilitate the CPS to DRS referral process, providing the appropriate resources and information, and screening eligible students to ensure that they meet the DRS Order of Selection requirements for receiving vocational rehabilitation services
• Manage data tracking systems used to monitor the progress of CPS student referrals to DRS services, including the completion of associated forms or processes, to ensure appropriate access to support throughout the student's school career
• Monitor the collection of accurate data regarding student referrals across the assigned caseload and/or district; utilize data to inform decision-making regarding transition services
• Collaborate with school-based staff, particularly at schools with low DRS referrals or knowledge, to assist students with appropriate transition outcomes
• Lead informational sessions and provide training for students, families, and school personnel on the transition planning process, DRS services and their potential impact on student transition outcomes
• Support schools in the effective implementation and facilitation of structures promoting student, school, and family involvement in the transition planning process
• Promote increased awareness and accessibility to district-wide programs and/or services encouraging participation in activities supporting the three areas of transition: post-secondary employment, post-secondary education and/or training, and independent living skills training
• Collaborate with community partners, including city and state agencies, post-school service providers, university partners, and other organizations to identify new or additional school and community-based transition supports that may benefit CPS students
• Inform district use of appropriate post-secondary readiness assessments to guide instruction and post-secondary planning for students with disabilities
• Ensure students, families, and school personnel are provided with ongoing access to accurate, relevant resources and information regarding topics such as community living, employment and post-secondary education/training
• Support and promote awareness of the city-wide travel training program, including assisting with the delivery of student Ventra cards, as needed
• Participate in the implementation of post-secondary-related grants, including accurate data collection, providing information to students, families, and school staff regarding new transition opportunities, and sharing relevant information across ODLSS in support of future grant opportunities
• Collaborate with Transition team colleagues in planning activities and events to increase post-secondary options for students such as career fairs, transition fairs, high school fairs, and job shadow days; recruit and support participants in the successful execution of these events
• Attend Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meetings as requested or necessary to support realistic post-secondary outcomes for students
• Perform other duties as assigned

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Education, Rehabilitation Services, Counseling, Social Work or related field, required
• Valid teaching certificate/Professional Educator's License (PEL) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) with LBSI and LBS-II Transition Specialist endorsement(s), strongly preferred
• Master's degree in Transition Special Education or Rehabilitation Counseling and/or related graduate certification, preferred

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience working with students with disabilities, such as case management services, advocacy support services, and/or community-based services, including the following, is required:
  • Experience developing and implementing school-based interventions, transition or support plans, and conducting related evaluations/assessments of students with disabilities
  • Experience coordinating services for individuals with disabilities
  • Extensive experience in developing and delivering professional training related to school-to-career initiatives, comprehensive support processes, special education issues, and/or teaching and learning

• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, and/or American Sign Language, preferred

• Strong knowledge of the following:
  • Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other disability civil rights laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
  • The taxonomy of transition and how it interfaces with the three areas of transition planning
  • Adult services, vocational rehabilitation services, benefits (such as Medicaid Waivers and Social Security) and other supports/services available to adults with disabilities.
  • Career development and vocational training opportunities, postsecondary education options, and school-to-career programming
  • Vocational and other transition assessment techniques, tools or resources
  • Strategies for developing, coordinating, and maintaining community-based work training programs
  • Federal, state, and local child labor laws
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with a variety of constituent groups from diverse backgrounds, including both internal and external stakeholders and agencies, to cultivate an atmosphere of cultural responsiveness, respect, and teamwork
• Capable of promoting and encouraging parental involvement and participation in the transition process
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps; capable of utilizing various software programs and data tracking systems for project and program efficiency

• Establish/Maintain Chicago Residency - Employees are required to live within the geographic boundaries of the City of Chicago within six months of their CPS hire date and maintain residency throughout their employment with the district. The Chicago residency requirement does not apply to temporary/part-time positions, however, all CPS employees must be residents of Illinois.
• Be Fully Vaccinated Against COVID-19 - Unless approved for a medical or religious exemption, all employees are required to be up-to-date on COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters, and to submit proof of vaccination to the district within 30 days of hire. "Up-to-date" on vaccination is defined as being at least two weeks past all primary vaccine doses and any applicable boosters.