Description
State Title: Project Specialist
Bargaining Unit: Non-Unit
Employment Type: 35 hours per week/Full-time
Salary Range: $68,000 - $78,000
NON-UNION POSITIONS: For non-unit positions, salary commensurate with experience and is accompanied by a competitive benefits package.
About TCNJ
Founded in 1855, TCNJ offers a highly personalized and collaborative liberal arts education with over 7,400 undergraduates and 700 graduate students. The college is consistently ranked among the top comprehensive colleges in the nation, offering small classes, a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, and an immersive living-learning experience. With a 4-year graduation rate ranked #1 in New Jersey and #9 among U.S. public institutions, TCNJ is a model for public higher education.
Position Overview:
The Life Design and Transition Coordinator for the Career & Community Studies Program at TCNJ, is a unique position that supports TCNJ CCS college students in the 4-year process of personal discovery, futures planning and skill development related to establishing a path to a desired adult life. Life Design refers to a sequential and systematic individualized approach to identifying attributes, talents and interests as it relates to facilitating the transition into a successful post-program / adult life from their individual perspective. This program component is a comprehensive approach to life and transition planning that strives to assure that each graduate is firmly rooted within a plan for post-graduate competitive integrated employment, independent living, and overall independence. The Life Design and Transition curriculum focuses on the development and implementation of a 4 year process of individualized and person-centered life planning that includes the areas of self-awareness / identity, self-determination / self-advocacy, self-reflection, creative / shared decision-making, and other related areas of human development.
Responsibilities:
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CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT: With guidance from the CCS Administration, develop a Life Design and Transition curriculum through a backward design reflecting the measurable outcomes expected students to achieve at the end of the program. The curriculum must include a detailed scope and sequence that is implemented throughout the Life Design and Transition coursework and field experiences.
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COURSEWORK / INSTRUCTION: Create / Revise course syllabi that reflect the implementation of the curriculum and teach a course load of 4/5 courses a semester as well as 1 course in the winter and/or summer term.
COURSEWORK / INSTRUCTION: Infuse and implement the customized employment discovery process and facilitate the implementation of subsequent procedures assuring that the process is maintained with fidelity. This is implemented to provide partner agencies and others who are responsible for field placement identification with current personalized information.
COURSEWORK / INSTRUCTION: With the input and collaboration with the CCS Staff, identify and foster opportunities focused on the for the promotion of inter-subjectivity, identification of a preferred career area that is realistic and positive, guidance in expanding areas of avocation / recreation; and guidance in skills development for individualized independent living skills. -
FIELD EXPERIENCES / INTERNSHIPS: Develop, organize and manage the On-Campus Field Experiences. This includes a system of progress monitoring that is formative and will inform the summative evaluations. All field experiences must be identified and scheduled 6 weeks prior to the end of every semester.
FIELD EXPERIENCES / INTERNSHIPS: Monitor the progress of Senior Internships, and, if needed, participate through bi-monthly reviews with the contracted VR Agency used to identify and support internships.
POST-PROGRAM FOLLOW-ALONG Monitor and assist in the Follow-Along Initiative. This may involve other staff and (if appropriate) a contracted agency. -
ASSESSMENT: Conduct initial / annual assessments of each student in the areas of executive functioning, problem solving, memory capacity, skills of collaboration, communication, social/ emotional status, needed supports, etc. This may be accomplished through a working group of the CCS Staff.
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ASSESSMENT: In coordination with the academic and student life coursework/activities, design and implement a continuous progress monitoring of each student in regards to advances in development of inter-subjectivity, pre-employment skills, career goal refinement, social-emotional status, and other areas within the LDT curriculum.
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: With guidance from the CCS administration, develop, implement, and assist in maintaining a web-based profile for each CCS Student.
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT: Facilitate the development and implementation of a Life Design Team for each of the CCS Students, launched at the end of the first semester of freshmen year and continuing throughout the program. -
STUDENT SUPPORT: Identify, train, schedule and monitor the Life Design and Transition mentors and assess effectiveness through regular mentor meetings.
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EMPLOYER DEVELOPMENT: In conjunction with CCS Administration and Outside VR Agency, support the development and coordination of an employer training and recognition program.
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ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Prepare and maintain accurate student records related to the Life Design and Transition program component; and maintain a communication summary log of all communications with TCNJ departments, individuals, outside agencies, parents and others.
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES: Attend Department meetings, sponsored events, and other activities requested by the CCS Administration. In addition, accountability data must be collected and reported monthly on all job responsibilities (i.e. # / time, length, & content of mentor meetings) -
OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED: Since the CCS Program includes a small professional staff, additional duties outside of the purview of this position may be required at times including support of CCS Articulation/Fifth Year Students. In addition, there will be evening and weekend responsibilities that this position will be required to attend.
Qualifications:
Required:
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BA/BS but Master’s Degree Preferred in Special Education, or Vocational Rehabilitation (experience in similar position may be considered in lieu of the degree area requirements, above).
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Professional Certification in special education; vocational rehabilitation or a related field (experience may be considered in lieu of certification).
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3-5 years of work experience in the education and/or disability field with preference in career and employment support.
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Experience with and passion for working with youth with intellectual disabilities and developmental disabilities, preferably in a post-secondary / college setting.
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Demonstrated skills in effective teaching practices for college-age students, developing curricula, creating college-level coursework, and the implementation of UDL.
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Working knowledge of the federal / state regulations related to disability support including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Amended Vocation Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the federal Homestead Act, and the privacy federal requirements.
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Knowledge of the New Jersey’s state, and local services for youth with ID/DD; occupational conditions, trends and job development. Knowledge of available community employment resources for both subsidized programs and private employers.
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Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
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Ability to effectively manage time, meet competing demands, and demonstrate flexibility.
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Willingness to collaboratively share office space and resources.
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Valid driver’s license.
Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in order to perform the essential functions of the position. If the requested accommodation(s) cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, the applicant may not be eligible for the position.
Employer Qualifications
Employment at TCNJ is contingent upon the successful completion of an applicable background check, reference checks, and verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States (Form I-9).
Accommodation: Applicants who require a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview should contact
[email protected].
Employee Benefits
As a member of The College of New Jersey Community, you will be a part of an exciting and rewarding public college career. Eligible full-time employees will be able to take advantage of a generous benefits package that includes health, welfare, and retirement benefits, including:
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Comprehensive benefit plans covering medical, dental and prescription plans
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Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program
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Employee and dependent Tuition Waiver and Reimbursement Program
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Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, group life insurance
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Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
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Employee affinity groups
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New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (Pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets, etc.)
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Access to extensive learning opportunities
To view a comprehensive list of benefits available to employees, visit our Health Benefits Plans and Programs page to learn more!
How to Apply
Qualified candidates should apply online and submit a letter of interest, resume (CV), as well as the names and contact information for three professional references. Applications will be considered until a viable finalist has been found.
The College is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive campus community that respects and uplifts individuals from all backgrounds. We value the varied perspectives, experiences, and talents of all members of our community and strive to create an environment where everyone has equitable access to opportunities for success. As an equal opportunity employer, we comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. We encourage applications from individuals whose lived experiences and professional interests align with our institutional mission of academic excellence, access, and integrity.
Work Locations: Education Building - School of Education 2000 Pennington Rd Ewing Township 08628
