Job Description:

Spectrum Center Schools and Programs, a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, is seeking a Vocational Specialist to join our award-winning team and perform meaningful work in a culture that welcomes innovation, encourages creative expression and offers limitless potential for personal and professional satisfaction! If you thrive in a fast-paced, goal-oriented, outcome-driven environment, seek a career with genuine purpose, and possess a problem-solving mindset, a sense of humor, and a stellar work ethic "” We Should Talk! ðŸ“² As a Vocational Specialist you will manage and oversee the vocational training program in accordance with Spectrum practices and policies, Work Ability I Program guidelines, and department of labor requirements.  Vocational Specialist will manage student vocational training plans to ensure the highest level of success for students participating in the Work Ability program and provide vocational training, job coaching, and career counseling per student IEP goals and individual career plans, as well as develop new community-based partnerships/job sites as needed. "– Responsibilities Include: Providing vocational, career, and transition inventories, to include, but not limited to annual age-appropriate vocational/career inventories, work readiness evaluations and/or profiles available for each student served, starting at age 14; assisting teachers and educational coordinators in selecting age-appropriate transition assessments for ITP development, and assisting classroom staff in completing vocational inventories/transition assessments. Completing vocational and career training plans based on IEP schedules, and when needed providing information/data for IEP/ITP progress reports. Assisting classrooms with on-campus unpaid vocational training, work and career exploration, and pre-employment curriculum activities. Developing and scheduling new on-campus training opportunities as needed. Ordering and distributing necessary curriculum resources, tools and materials related to vocational training. Contributing to supervision of student training per WAI practices, DOL regulations, and IEP/ITP goals/plans. Providing job coaching to selected students on and off campus, and training to classroom staff (and others) on job methods and procedures. Managing or providing oversight for daily operations related to student stores (also known as: School-based business-SBB). Providing job coaching at the SBB as needed, and making necessary purchases only as needed and in a timely manner. Managing overall community-based work training for students. This includes developing new work training opportunities as needed, following job development procedures, providing information to staff about community training opportunities, assisting with job matching, providing job coaching for selected students, providing training for classroom staff on job coaching strategies, providing ongoing assistance to employer partners, communicating consistently with employment sites, assuring employer satisfaction, and communicating any employer concerns to school staff. Creating work schedules and training schedules and providing schedules to both students and staff on an ongoing basis. Overseeing student payroll associated with the WAI program. Adhering to payroll procedures, submitting work permits and renewals, preparing W-4 and I-9 documentation for the Program Director, and providing training to staff and students on all payroll related items for the WAI program. Submitting timesheets to the Program Director in a timely fashion and tracking all payroll items for the WAI program appropriately. Attending all required training and meetings, both on and off campus. Collecting and tracking student data for WAI grant and reporting out as directed (including all students served). Performing other duties and projects as assigned.   "– Qualifications Required: Bachelors degree or higher in education, social work, vocational rehabilitation, or related field. Valid state drivers license. Prior experience working with students with developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors. Prior experience in vocational training and/or job coaching. Prior experience with program management and/or development, and working with databases/spreadsheets preferred. Willingness to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities and new initiatives. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of staff members, students, parents, customers, and the general public. Highly skilled in the utilization of computers including Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.    Spectrum Center Schools is a division of ChanceLight Education, the nation's leading provider of alternative and special education programs for children and young adults. For more than 45 years, and in partnership with over 235 school districts nationwide, we have helped change the direction of more than 240,000 student lives! 💻 Learn more about our history, our mission and the program services we provide by visiting the links below: As a member of the ChanceLight family, you will be provided with the opportunity to make meaningful impacts, the support needed to achieve success, and all the tools essential to reaching your personal & professional fulfillment! "– Perks and Benefits Include: Comprehensive Medical, Dental and Vision Plans Virtual Medical Visits Health Savings Account Paid Time Off School Hours and Paid Holiday Schedule Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance 401k Options Legal Insurance Pet Insurance Employee Assistance Program Employee Discount Program Opportunities for Growth & Development And So Much More! If you're ready to start changing the direction of students' lives by providing them the opportunity to create successful, independent futures "” This Is Your Chance! Join us, and start making a genuine difference in the lives of children today! Careers, With ChanceLight 💙 Work. With Purpose.   Copyright © 2024 ChanceLight Behavioral Health, Therapy, & Education, a ChanceLight® company  *Benefit plans and eligibility requirements may vary based role and employment status. EducationRequiredBachelors or better in Education or related fieldLicenses & CertificationsRequiredDriver LicensesSkillsPreferredSpecial EducationVocational EducationProject ManagementJob Experience Training (JET)Individualized Education Programs (IEP)Community RelationsCareer PlanningBehaviorsPreferredFunctional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subjectInnovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinkingMotivationsPreferredAbility to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organizationEqual Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThe contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)