Pre-Employment Transition Services Specialist - Bootheel Area - Southeast MO

Pre-Employment Transition Services Specialists will primarily serve in the Bootheel/Southeast area region, and others as assigned/needed. NOTE: this position is not located in the Columbia area and the individual(s) hired must live in and around the assigned Pre-ETS region indicated above.

One of the provisions in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, requires Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) in collaboration with the Local Educational Agency (LEA), to provide, or arrange for the provision of, pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities in need of such services who are eligible or potentially eligible for services. This position is created to help meet staff capacity by providing highly qualified personnel who will work in collaboration with local education agencies and Vocational Rehabilitation, in the provision of pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities enrolled in Missouri secondary schools, who are not yet eligible for VR services.

Provide job exploration counseling to include but not limited to

• Work with students to develop a Missouri Connections account and student profile.
• Use career interest inventories and other career assessments to identify skills and career interest areas.
• Provide information regarding in-demand occupations and local labor market composition.
• Counsel students to identify and explore careers in their local community and/or geographical region within a career pathway of interest.

Collaborate with VR business specialists, LEAs, and local businesses to facilitate a job-shadowing month for students to explore careers in their field of interest.

• Collaborate with LEAs and Division of Workforce Development (DWD) to facilitate a field day for students at the local career center to educate students about how to register for employment services/youth programs, fill out on-line job applications, etc.
• Assist students in identifying and exploring job fields that may require apprenticeship training and visit apprenticeship programs with students in the local community.
• Coordinate mock job interviews for students with businesses.
• Assist LEA staff and VR counselors/business specialists to identify work experience opportunities for students in the local community.

Provide counseling on enrollment in postsecondary education at institutions of higher education to include but not limited to

• Educate and inform students of short and long-term post-secondary training opportunities and assist students in gaining an understanding of how different training options may meet their individual needs.
• Facilitate student visits to disability support services offices at local colleges or universities.
• Build and sustain an effective relationship with the student utilizing strength-based career planning.
• Research degree or credential requirements for jobs within the student's career pathway of interest and work with the school counselor to identify ways for the student to develop skill acquisition for jobs in that career pathway through course selection.
• Participate in LEA Career and Transition Fairs, FAFSA Frenzy events, etc.
• Assist the student in using Missouri Connections to search for colleges and training options in their career pathway.
• Assist the student in learning about their disability and the accommodations they need to be successful in a training program or academic setting.
• Assist the student in learning the differences between high school and college.
• Assist the student in researching those colleges or training programs that offer specific services for students with disabilities.
• Assist the student and their families in understanding the financial aid process.

Provide workplace readiness & social skills support to include but not limited to

• Identify work readiness skills that are identified by employers as priority areas and review those skills with students.
• Connect students and their families to their local Center for Independent Living.
• Work with students to identify and measure work readiness skills by developing or utilizing a work readiness inventory that will address the following areas through a volunteer or work experience opportunity on or off campus: attendance, punctuality, workplace appearance, taking initiative, teamwork, quality of work, communication skills, response to supervision, problem-solving/critical thinking, workplace culture, policy, and safety.
• Review and discuss transportation options available for students for getting to and from work.
• Review and discuss asset development and benefits planning with students and families by connecting them with appropriate resources and following up to discuss questions/concerns.
• Support the student's social connectedness and overall health by discussing with the student the importance of participating in school-based activities, after-school clubs, or community service projects to help connect the student socially.

Provide self-advocacy training which may include peer mentoring to include but not limited to

• Assist with facilitating student understanding of the concepts of self-determination and self-advocacy.
• Utilize existing resources and materials to help students learn how to practice speaking up, leading their IEP/504 or other personal planning meetings.
• Encourage students to take advantage of peer mentoring programs in their communities including the Governor’s Council – Youth Leadership Forum.
• Work with the students to practice self-advocacy and skill building through real life activities, such as ordering a meal in a restaurant, etc.

Individuals in this position will live and serve in the Pre-Employment Transition Services assigned area above, and others as needed or assigned. This position is not located in the immediate Columbia, MO area.

Individuals in this position should be willing to work from a home office.

The individual in this position should be aware that they will be traveling up to 75% of their time to assigned school districts providing pre-employment transition services for students with disabilities in need of such services who are eligible or potentially eligible for these services.
All applicants will be screened based on the preferred qualifications below:
• Required years of experience: Three to four years minimum; two years of teaching experience or guidance and counseling experience - would have frequent contact with state agencies, school districts, school personnel, and students enrolled in MO secondary schools.
• Bachelor's degree is acceptable but a master’s degree from an accredited college/university in Education or a related field is preferred. A current MO Teachers Certificate or the ability to obtain a Substitute Teacher Certification is required. Teaching certification in Special Education for Mild/Moderate-Severe/Profound is preferred.
• Experience working directly with transition age youth/families and school personnel is preferred.
• The selected individual should be knowledgeable about disability programs and policies to include vocational rehabilitation, special education, career and technical education, career pathways; and should have strong communication, organization, relationship building, leadership, and community consensus-building skills.
• Travel and ability to work flexible hours will be required.
• Valid MO Driver’s License is required.