Transition Specialist

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Overview

Cedarhurst School opened in 1960 and draws its name from its initial location on Cedar Street in New Haven. In 1982 it moved to its present location at 871 Prospect Street in Hamden, Connecticut. Just minutes from downtown New Haven, the school building is a historic home built in 1920 and situated on a beautiful 2.7-acre wooded campus. The mission of Cedarhurst School is to provide a safe and supportive learning environment in which all adolescents can achieve success. We integrate a high-quality education with therapeutic interventions that assist students to stay in school, grow emotionally and socially, transition back to their home school district when appropriate, graduate from high school, attend college or obtain gainful employment, and become productive and engaged members of the community.

The Passage Transition Program is affiliated and co-located with Cedarhurst School. It provides functional living and vocational skills development as well as intensive preparation for post-secondary studies for students ages 18-22 who require additional support to successfully transition to independence.

We are looking for a Transition Specialist to join our team. The Transition Specialist will provide services intended to build the autonomy of students towards post-secondary education, competitive employment and independent community living. The Transition Specialist will have responsibilities within four core domains: (a) supported employment; (b) supported education; (c) case management; and (d) administrative requirements. 

Responsibilities within these domains include, but are not limited to, utilization of comprehensive vocational/employment profiles to inform student employment needs; development and implementation of group curricula focused on social, vocational, independent living and coping skills; development of internship/job sites in the community; providing assessment, training and supervision for students placed on job sites; providing transportation to and from internship sites, colleges, appointments, etc. The transition specialist will assist students in assessing appropriate post-secondary educational opportunities and will facilitate community involvement in activities and guiding students and families through college/trade school applications. The transition specialist will also assist students in obtaining information about their benefits including obtaining necessary documents for employment and will collaborate with the with clinical team to support students social/emotional goals. The transition specialist will also be responsible for completing employment plans, IEP goals, progress notes and all other administrative requirements in the required time frames and perform other duties as assigned.

Schedule:  Full-time, 37.5 hrs., 8:15 AM – 4PM. Follows 10 month Cedarhurst Academic Schedule.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Demonstrated experience in Job Coaching/Development and/or advocacy for folks with disabilities. Demonstrated experience in rehabilitation therapy, special education or social work along with populations who have Emotional Disability, Other Health Impairment and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder.   Services are intended to build the autonomy of students towards post-secondary education, competitive employment and independent community living. 

2. Demonstrated ability to provide support and guidance to a diverse body of individuals and their families. Demonstrated ability to function as a member of a team, with excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills.

3. Demonstrated ability to complete administrative requirements and meet required deadlines, with excellent written communication skills and aptitude with MS Office. Ability to learn various computer applications for creating and implementing individualized education plans

4. Must have valid driver's license.

Preferred Skills and Abilities

Bachelors degree or equivalent experience. Experience with students who have the Special Education labels Emotional Disability, Other Health Impairments, and/or Autism Spectrum Disorder.  Knowledge of International Development Association (IDA) / Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) laws. Experience developing/implementing lesson plans & group curriculum.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Counsels clients and patients, individually and in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, and making changes. 2. Develops client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories. 3. Coordinates counseling efforts with mental health professionals and other health professionals such as doctors, nurses, and social workers. 4. Completes and maintains accurate records and reports regarding the patients’ history and progress, services provided, and other required information. 5. Reviews and evaluates clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans. 6. Participates in case conferences and staff meetings. 7. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Education and Experience Six years of related work experience, four of them in the same job family at the next lower level and a high school level education; or four years of related work experience and an Associate degree; or little of no work experience and a Bachelor degree in a related field; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.

Job Posting Date

08/08/2026

Job Category

Administrative Support

Bargaining Unit

L34

Compensation Grade

Labor Grade E

Compensation Grade Profile

Hourly Range

$35.64

Time Type

Full time

Duration Type

Staff

Work Model

On-site

Background Check Requirements

All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

Health Requirements

This role is a healthcare worker position. Healthcare workers (HCW) are defined as university employees working a healthcare setting who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients, human research subjects or infectious materials including body substance, contaminated medical supplies, devices and equipment, surfaces, or air.  HCW have specific health requirements that must be met prior to starting work, including MMR vaccine or immunity, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or immunity, TB screening, COVID vaccine according to University policy, hepatitis B vaccine or immunity, and annual flu vaccination.

Posting Disclaimer

The hiring rate of a role is determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in the respective collective bargaining agreement.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through  their hiring department.

The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).

Note

Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.