Specialist, Job Placement

Office:

Office of Teaching and Learning

Date Posted:

11/10/2025

Salary Range:

1-5 / $87,024 - $98,195

NTE Date:

N/A

Position Overview

The mission of the Office of Teaching and Learning (OTL) is to provide educators with curricular resources, academic programs, and aligned professional development to ensure rigorous and joyful learning experiences for every student. OTL team members support school-based staff in implementing DCPS's existing academic programs while simultaneously working to rethink and redesign school programming, academic and curricular resources and educator professional development.

Divisions/Teams

• Content and Curriculum: The Content and Curriculum division sets the vision for equity and excellence for each content area in DCPS schools by researching, creating, and curating curricular materials and providing aligned professional development experiences to ensure that all students have access to rigorous and joyful learning experiences every day in every content area. Additionally, the team sets a vision for serving the whole child and closing the opportunity gap through leading the work in academic programming, innovation and high-potential learners.
• Extended Learning and Academic Recovery: The Extended Learning and Academic Recovery division oversees most of DCPS' K-12 summer school programs including enrichment and retention programs in alignment with the laws and regulations of the District of Columbia. Additionally, the team oversees the largest group of afterschool programs with the 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant and meets the needs of high potential students in grades K-5 through the Schoolwide Enrichment Model (SEM.)
• Language Acquisition: The Language Acquisition division welcomes families of linguistically and culturally diverse backgrounds to DCPS, leads the process of identifying English Learner students, and supports schools in developing programs that supports English language acquisition and academic growth.
• Professional Learning and Educational Technology: The Professional Learning and Educational Technology division sets a vision for professional development for DCPS as well as creates systems, tools, and structures to increase the efficacy of professional learning and educational technology initiatives. This work includes LEAP, cluster-based PD, district PD and other learning opportunities. The team works across all DCPS offices to increase the cohesion of professional development and broad sharing of knowledge, while exploring new avenues and opportunities for meaningful development and learning for our educators.
• Specialized Instruction: The Specialized Instruction division works to reduce the opportunity gap between students with IEPs and their non-disabled peers; and increases equity and excellence in schools through specific academic programming, related services, professional learning, school leadership development, family engagement, dispute resolution, and community partnerships.

The Division of Specialized Instruction (DSI) works to provide a high quality continuum of services in an inclusive environment so every student with disabilities is prepared for success in college, career, and life. The division works with schools to design, implement, and monitor programs and supports for students with disabilities.

The Specialist, Job Placement is responsible for overseeing and identifying skills related to career clusters and soft skills training across multiple work sites within the assigned agency, as well as managing the alignment of student interests to integrated, competitive employment.

This position is a safety-sensitive position. As a result, throughout employment this position will be subject to the Employee Mandatory Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy.

The Specialist, Job Placement will report to the Director, Transition.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Develops community partnerships with private businesses and government agencies that could serve as internship, job sampling, and paid employment opportunities for students.
• Works with the local workforce development boards, one-stop centers, and employers to develop work opportunities for students with disabilities, including internships, summer employment, apprenticeships, and other employment opportunities available throughout the school year.
• Researches data about industries, companies, labor market statistics, and employment trends.
• Provides services to employers, such as teaching them the benefits of hiring people with disabilities.
• Performs job analysis to determine job requirements.
• Works with employer supervisors to educate them on how to identify the needs of students who require auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations while on the job.
• Consults with the personnel or human resource department about hiring practices.
• Reviews IEP transition plans with students to ensure that it aligns with the employment goal on their individualized plan for employment (IPE), which is supported by the students' interests and abilities.
• Instructs students in motivational training, job seeking skills, and job retention skills, as well as any other topics beneficial to the students' needs.
• Ensures accurate record keeping, including student demographics, case files, and referrals.
• Maintains an active employer contact database.
• Matches employer needs to student skills and vice-versa.
• Maximizes the number of students who achieve competitive integrated full-time employment or part-time employment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and three to five years of related work experience.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended in 2004.
• Knowledge of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act of 2015.

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact