By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes. We are a network of 20 schools educating 7,300 students and employing 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We believe students and teachers best succeed when surrounded by an ecosystem of supports, including: a robust student support services team, school-based mental health practitioners, instructional and content-area coaches, and an instructional leadership team that fosters a staff culture that is ambitious, intentional, and full of joy.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The KIPP DC College Preprartory (KCP) Transition and Career Skills Coordinator is responsible for the planning, coordination, and implementation of transition services for students eligible for special education and section 504 services. This position with multiple stakeholders (students, parents/guardians, teachers, the college and career counseling teams, the KIPP Forward team, the student support/compliance teams, related service providers, and outside agencies) to provide transition services for eligible students and ensuring that KIPP DC is compliant with federal and local transition requirements.

Transition and Career skills Coordinator are an exempt role and report to the principal of the school.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Transition Planning

• Support the compliance team and case managers in completing transition plans for all students with IEPs, including completing transition assessments in areas related to functional skills, employment, and education in compliance with IDEA

• Provide Professional Development to case managers and school teams

• Support case managers in understanding transition process and roles in student support and develops systems and structures to execute on those roles

• Work with case managers and 12th grade students to complete summary of performances for each graduating student eligible for special education services

• Attend and present transition plans at IEP meetings as needed

• Monitor and track implementation of transition services, and report on student performance each reporting period

• Keep records of appropriate documentation during the transition process

• Keep informed of revisions in local and federal transition laws, trends and practices

Implementation of Transition Services

• Assist students in preparing for student-led IEPs

• Administer career interest inventories and other transition assessments and review results with students

• Provide direct services to students enrolled in the Legacy Learning Center Program

• Identify employment opportunities for students and assist them in applying for academic year experiences and summer employment

• Support students in researching potential careers and post-secondary education and training opportunities

• Work closely with case managers and related services providers to implement transition services, including the development of independent living and work readiness skills

• Coordinate community learning opportunities for students (job shadowing, internships, dual enrollment, employment opportunities)

• Facilitate the logistics for vocational assessments by outside providers as needed, including securing locations, minimizing missed instructional time, and providing all requested documentation

• Complete applications for accommodations for the ACT as well as College Board assessments (PSAT, SAT, AP)

• Assist college-bound students in identifying and applying for necessary accommodations

• Provide students, parents, and KIPP Forward counselors with most recent student evaluations and IEPs/504s prior to student graduation

• Meet with each student and their KIPP Forward counselor prior to graduation to discuss student’s plans as well as required support post-graduation

• Identify resources for students in need of specialized post-secondary support

• Facilitate and accompany students on visits to internship sites and post-secondary training programs

• Cultivate student self-advocacy, including an awareness of strengths and of supports they will need in post-secondary education and employment settings

• Assist the college and career counseling team in supporting students through the college application and financial aid process

Coordination with Community Agencies

• Develop and maintain a working relationship with businesses, agencies, and organizations which provide post-secondary services for students with disabilities

• Serve as a resource to families, parents, and students in accessing transition services as well as providing information about transition topics

• Attend community transition meetings

• Facilitate student participation in city-wide transition events

• Assist students and parents in the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) application process, and support students through eligibility and the development of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)

• Arrange for VR counselors to meet with students and parents as needed, including scheduling with parents and managing related logistics

• Work with the RSA Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) specialist to implement Pre-Employment Transition Services (PETS)

Support KIPP DC’s Mission

• Exhibit positive rapport with students

• Establish and maintain strong lines of communication with parents; be available for open houses, parent-teacher conferences and other events involving parents

• Serve on school committees, attend field trips, and perform other duties as needed

• Remain on call in the evenings (via school cell phone/email) to provide student support

• Maintain professional competence through in-service, workshops, and other professional development activities

• Perform clerical duties, as required, relating to instructional supplies, student reports and records, etc

COMPETENCIES

• Student Focus: builds strong relationships and holds high expectations for students, holds students’ best interests in mind, keeps owns commitments to students and makes sure others do the same and builds a culture of respect for all students

• Achievement Orientation: sets challenging goals for self and others, takes initiative to go above and beyond to achieve results, follows through on commitments, demonstrates resilience and flexibility

• Continuous Learning: Takes responsibility for behavior, mistakes, and results, takes calculated risks, uses research to inform practice, continually seeks opportunity for improvement, values creativity and innovation, shares effective practices with others

• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Gathers information from multiple sources, sorts out complexity, anticipates problems, breaks down information and effectively analyzes

• Self-Awareness: demonstrates understanding of own identity, privilege and power, understands strengths and weaknesses and the impact on others’ perceptions, seeks feedback and self-development

• Cultural Competence: demonstrates knowledge and respect for cultures of community served, creates an inclusive environment, adjusts behavior according to cultural norms and cues, works effectively across difference, creates and sustains an environment in which people from diverse backgrounds can succeed

• Impact and Influence: adapts leadership style to influence others, anticipate reactions of others and makes a compelling case for a position, stimulates others to take action and accomplish goals

• Stakeholder Management: develops mutually beneficial relationships and partnerships, gains trust of key stakeholders, consistently demonstrates respect and appreciation for others

QUALIFICATIONS

KIPP DC is looking for a Legacy Transition and Career skills Coordinator candidate who are committed to KIPP DC’s mission that all students can learn and achieve at high levels when given the opportunity, have a strong instructional background, a commitment to creating identity-affirming learning experiences, and are looking to develop the leadership skills necessary to lead great schools. Specifically, candidates should have:

• Bachelor’s degree

• Minimum of five years of high school experience, either as special education teacher, case manager, or coordinator

• Demonstrated academic results

• Demonstrated record of professionalism

• Experience supporting student with transition planning

• Demonstrated experience with supporting learning of special needs populations, staff development, and pedagogy

Compensation & Benefits:

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

• Salaries for staff are competitive with added compensation for KIPP DC’s extended day and year.

• KIPP DC offers its employees competitive rates for medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance. KIPP DC’s plans include options for Health Savings Accounts, Flex Spending Accounts, and access to OneMedical.

• KIPP DC also offers its employees a 403(b) retirement account with employer contributions and matches vesting after three years.

• KIPP DC has various support programs in place during the pandemic, including extended sick leave and robust health and safety protocols and training programs.

How to Apply:

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race; color; national origin; immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law); religion; sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions); age; physical or mental disability; medical condition; sexual orientation; gender (including gender identity or expression); marital status (including domestic partnership status); genetic information; political affiliation; pregnancy; family responsibilities; personal appearance; veteran status; uniform service member status; status of being unemployed; status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking; matriculation; or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

KIPP DC requires all staff to provide proof that they are up to date on their COVID-19 vaccine (meaning they have received a full course of a COVID vaccine and receive a booster, when they are eligible) or obtain approval for exemption due to medical or religious reasons before beginning employment. New hires who have not received all doses of a COVID vaccine, who are eligible for a booster but have not received it, or who are awaiting approval for exemption will not be able to begin employment.