School to Work Alliance (SWAP) Coordinator

"Littleton Public Schools - Big enough to serve you; small enough to know you."

Littleton Public Schools (LPS) is a premier school district located a few miles south of downtown Denver. With approximately 13,000 students, LPS offers a comprehensive education from preschool through Grade 12 at ten elementary schools, four middle schools, three high schools, several alternative programs, a central preschool, and two charter schools.  We welcome your interest to join our family and support our 100 Percent Goal: graduating 100 percent of LPS students prepared for meaningful postsecondary opportunities. With a history of close community ties and consistent support from our residents, LPS is not just a place to work but a destination for exceptional people to establish career long roots, develop professionally, and make meaningful contributions for our students. You belong here!
 

The School to Work Alliance (SWAP) Coordinator serves as the primary leader for our School-to-Work initiative. This role is responsible for bridging the gap between school-based learning and real-world employment. You will not only design vocational experiences and work-based learning programs but also act as a vital link between SWAP youth and the local business community. You will create and oversee both school-based and work-based learning initiatives that align with state and national vocational standards. The SWAP Coordinator establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with school personnel, parents, community members, and business and industry leaders. In addition, the SWAP Coordinator serves as the program's voice, representing the district at various functions and preparing critical data for district, state, and national reports. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• The SWAP Coordinator is the lead person responsible for overall program administration of the program, including employment and post-secondary outcomes
• Collaborates to schedule and complete the intake process for applicants, including potentially eligible students with disabilities.  Explain and complete Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) releases of information with correct signatures and obtain school records. Assist in completing and gathering further information necessary for DVR eligibility determination and service provision, including referral for pre-employment transition services, DVR's application intake, affidavit for lawful presence processes, decisions that affect them, and methods to appeal decisions if there is disagreement.
• Assist DVR in gathering information to complete the eligibility determination and the comprehensive assessment.  Identify and gather appropriate school records that contribute to identifying a viable job goal and those services/goods needed to achieve the job goal, work experience information, sample resume, interest inventories, Individual Career and Academic Plan (ICAP), summary of performance, and supplemental documents.
• Provide direct services to DVR-eligible individuals and potentially eligible students with disabilities.  Coordinate the delivery of services as identified under IPE and all IPE amendments to attain positive program results.  Develop and provide pre-employment transition services that support and enhance the District's transition continuum to potentially eligible students with disabilities.
• This is a community-based program, meaning that students are in the community in various ways to develop transition skills needed for sustaining themselves independently. Therefore, the specialist is in an independent decision-making position with regard to the attendant responsibilities below:
  • Emphasize the successes and abilities of students to facilitate interactions between people with and without disabilities
  • Demonstrate positive public relations skills with administration, staff, students, and community members
  • Communicate with families/caregivers directly
  • Promote community awareness and acceptance of people with disabilities
  • Maintain confidentiality at all times when providing relevant information to individuals in the school and community setting
• Instructional Planning:
  • Assist with the development of and monitoring of Individual Education Plans (IEP) with transition goals and objectives coordinated with DVR Individual Written Rehabilitation Plans (IWRP).
  • Act as a liaison and resource with families, agencies, employers, and school staff regarding career and community living programming for youth
  • Provide, obtain, and coordinate services that result in successful competitive employment and community living. Services could include: vocational exploration, career development, teaching of job seeking skills, facilitation of job seeking skills, job development and placement in appropriate career-oriented jobs, job-related instruction, supervision to develop job-specific skills and general job behaviors.
  • Development and coordination of post-secondary, classroom vocational training or academic education opportunities that result in competitive employment
  • Follow-up counseling and crisis intervention with youth, employers, and families for one year following placement in a job
  • Modeling and teaching self-determination, empowerment, and advocacy skills at work and in the community
  • Other services that support the attainment of successful employment and community living
• Present SWAP services to prospective SWAP consumers, employers, parents and the school community.
• Implement and coordinate planned services under the direction of the SWAT Coordinator and DVR Counselor,
• Act as a liaison to assist in the understanding of DVR processes, decisions that affect them, and methods to appeal decisions if there is disagreement
• Plan and develop vocational experience consistent with the STW Initiative, assist staffing team in developing the STW Initiative, Administer assessment and evaluation of the STW  Initiative, Assist in identifying and development of Student Career Assessments (Grade 9), Assist in identifying and developing student career portfolios/career plans, represent school at various functions, provide information for district, state, and national reports.
• Plan and develop school-based learning, plan and develop work-based learning, plan and develop connecting activities.
• Use the assessment of student standards to measure the effectiveness of the STW Initiative.
• Accept responsibility for a professional growth plan, demonstrate learning from participation in professional growth opportunities, collaborate with others to fulfill responsibilities related to building and district values, missions, priorities, and outcomes, promote parent, business, and industry, and community relations and responsibilities.
• Accept and fulfill assigned responsibilities and duties in a prompt and efficient manner, follow  Board of Education policies, building procedures, and any other rules, regulations, or procedures that may be established by the central or building administration, and perform other duties as may be assigned by the STW program director.
• Promote and follow Board of Education policies, department procedures, and any other regulations or procedures that may be established by central administration or department administration
• Responsible for supervising the behavior and well-being of youth on the job and in the community.
• Supervisory responsibilities include assisting with interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.  

EDUCATION AND RELATED WORK EXPERIENCE: 

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in human services or related field or equivalent in years of experience in related field, can be considered instead of the educational requirement
• Minimum of two (2) years' experience in job development or related experience
• Experience working with diverse populations of young adults with disabilities
• Management and supervisory experience desired
• More than two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, and experience in the vocational field is required

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS or CERTIFICATIONS: 

• Criminal background check required for hire
• Valid Colorado driver's license

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES:

• Oral and written communication skills; English language skills
• Interpersonal relations skills; Customer service and public relations skills; Ability to diffuse and manage volatile and stressful situations
• Personal computer and keyboarding skills; advanced computer hardware and software skills; operating knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office and Google.
• Operating knowledge of and experience with general office equipment, including telephones, copier, fax machine, etc.;
• Knowledge of operating, installing, supporting, and maintaining PCs and associated application software is preferred at hire
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects of the job.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with frequent interruptions; Ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Speaks to students, parents, colleagues, and community with respect and dignity
• Uses team concepts to plan, problem solve, and share space, equipment, resources, and knowledge with coworkers; supports the ideas, efforts, and accomplishments of others
• Recognizes opportunities for improvement and/or implements improved methods within the limits of authority; adapts to changes in responsibilities and work schedule with a positive attitude
• Dresses appropriately for work requirements.
• Maintains consistent, regular attendance at work; arrives and leaves work at scheduled times; respects time limits on breaks and lunch periods; and follows district procedures for absence reporting
• Promotes and follows Board of Education policies, building or department procedures, and any other rules and regulations as may be established by central, building, or department administration
• Ability to diffuse and manage volatile and stressful situations
• Ability to work with students with diverse backgrounds and abilities

Starting Salary is Grade 14 - $37.12
Work Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Work Calendar: 210 days
Position begins in May

 

BENEFIT INFORMATION:
Littleton Public Schools offers several competitive and comprehensive benefit packages to employees.  Fringe benefits include medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; employee assistance program; 403(b), 401(k), and 457(b) retirement savings plans; and various leave and professional development programs. Additionally as a public employer, LPS participates in the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). For more information about additional benefits or compensation options by employee group, please visit our website at:https://www.littletonpublicschools.net/o/lps/page/employee-benefits