Position Summary

This position will serve as a member of the HCOE Transition Partnership Program (TPP) and HCOE Workability I Program teams to provide vocational training and self-advocacy to Humboldt County students with disabilities and special education needs. TPP is a county-wide program that, in collaborative effort with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), provides DOR Student Services to qualified high school students (over 16 with IEP or 504).  Workability I is a California Department of Education program that provides work readiness training to high school students with disabilities. This is a 10 month position.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The TPP/Workability I Vocational Caseworker will provide direct service to qualified students across Humboldt County. They will work in collaboration with district Special Education teachers, the Department of Rehabilitation, the Redwood Coast Regional Center and support staff to identify qualified students, assess skills and interest related to career and prepare students to successfully enter employment through work-based learning placements. The caseworker will provide support services before, during and after work placements. The position requires the ability to work directly with youth with disabilities and work closely with other staff who support those youth.

Supervision Received And Exercised

This position is under the supervision of the Director of Career and College Resources.

Examples of Duties & Responsiblities

Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Attend monthly team meetings and professional development opportunities;
• Work with students to provide instruction, coaching and support to include: vocational interest assessments, job exploration counseling, workplace readiness training, instruction in self-advocacy, counseling in post-secondary education, vocational skills acquisition and work-based learning.
• Develop community-based work-based learning placements for students with varying degrees of skills and abilities;
• Serve as liaison between high school staff and students, parents, employers and public agencies, such as the Department of Rehabilitation and Redwood Coast Regional Center;
• May recommend specific vocational goals and objectives for inclusion in Individualized Education Plans (IEPs);
• Work closely with the HCOE Life Skills/SDC Vocational Specialist and TPP Coordinator to meet service goals;
• Assist classroom teachers in developing and monitoring a student’s overall transition plan from school to work and/or to a post-secondary educational or vocational program;
• Identify barriers to employment and make recommendations regarding ways or means of reducing/eliminating such barriers;
• Research, design and deliver presentations to small and large groups;
• Plan and implement developmentally appropriate training for youth;
• Make referral to counselors, social workers, teachers or other appropriate agency personnel when specialized services beyond the qualifications of the caseworker are required;
• Maintain records in compliance with program, audit and legal requirements;
• Attend student IEP or 504 meetings as requested;
• Collaborate with other district or county programs in service to supporting youth;
• Provide feedback to student services team;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
• Qualifications (Employment Standards)

Qualifications (aka Employment Standards

Knowledge of

• Laws relating to employment of minors and the Americans with Disabilities Act;
• Workability I and Transition Partnership Program/Department of Rehabilitation program options and eligibility requirements;
• Career paths and future educational opportunities for clients;
• Various handicapping conditions and their effect upon productivity and work site accommodations;
• Special education laws, rules and regulations.

Ability to

• Read and comprehend laws, rules and regulations;
• Speak to small and large groups with poise, confidence and clarity;
• Work well with high school students, family members, teachers, support staff and agency personnel;
• Work independently, with minimal supervision, as well as collaborate with others in a team setting;
• Meet established service goals;
• Maintain accurate records and manage program tracking;
• Maintain confidentiality;
• Problem-solve with groups;
• Follow oral and written instructions;
• Adapt to changing work demands, including adjustments to work schedule, to manage task priorities to meet deadlines;
• Work effectively under varying degrees of stress;
• Use appropriate software, including Google Drive, Outlook, Word and Excel;
• Communicate effectively via telephone, modem and in person;
• Lift/move adaptive equipment, occasionally in excess of 50 pounds;
• Manage task priorities to meet deadlines;
• Communicate effectively via telephone, email, and in person.

Education and Experience

Minimum Required:  Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

Education

• Demonstration of basic competency equivalent to graduation from high school, AND not less than one year of college level education or equivalent training in the field of special education or career/vocational guidance services;

Experience

• A minimum of two years’ experience working with youth as a special education classroom aide, career counseling technician, vocational technician, rehabilitation technician or similar experience.

Working Conditions (Work Environment):

• Will have a designated office space, but will provide service to local high schools. This may require establishing flexible office hours off site;
• May be required to serve on an on-call basis and/or to adjust work hours in a reasonable manner to accommodate the needs of students, parents and/or employers and student work schedules;
• May be required to accompany students to the worksite;
• May require transportation of students, dependent upon program needs;
• Requires working with students with a variety of needs.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of the job, the employee may be required to:

• Stand, sit and/or move about for sustained periods;
• Move about in non-traditional instructional environments; i.e., areas of the community;
• Travel to multiple locations in a given day or during the work week;

• Participate in daily oral and written communication;
• Operate a computer, calculator, copier and other equipment that involve repetitive arm and hand movements and hand-eye-arm and finger dexterity.

Other Requirements:

• Must be fingerprinted and a satisfactory Department of Justice records check must be received by HCOE prior to employment.
• TB testing and/or risk assessment will be required upon employment.
• Must pass a pre-employment physical (if applicable).
• May be required to obtain first aid and CPR certificates within the first 6 to 12 months of employment.
• May be required to drive with or without students; this position requires a California Driver’s License, proof of insurance and possible participation in the DMV PUll Notice Program once employed.

Range: 4
PC Approved 8/8/2023