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New Trier High School District · 6 days ago

Educational Life Skills (ELS) and Transition Coordinator

Winnetka, IL

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level

$102K/yr - $165K/yr

New Trier High School District is seeking an Educational Life Skills (ELS) and Transition Coordinator to provide leadership, oversight, and coordination for all aspects of the Educational Life Skills and Transition programs. The role involves ensuring high-quality functional academics, life skills instruction, vocational training, and community-based experiences for students aligned with their post-secondary goals.

EducationPrimary EducationSecondary Education

Comp. & Benefits

Hiring Manager

Evelyn Andrade

Responsibilities

Oversees all ELS and Transition programming, ensuring instruction builds functional academic skills, independent living skills, and vocational readiness

Monitors program structure, curriculum, staffing, and instructional practices to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with district goals

Provides leadership and supervision for the ELS program (grades 9-12) and the New Trier Transition Center (age 18-22), ensuring the programs deliver meaningful community-based instruction, vocational experiences, job-site opportunities, and independent living skill development. Ensures Transition Center programming includes hands-on real-world experiences such as retail operations, community integration activities, and job coaching to prepare students for successful adult outcomes

Collaborates with Transition Center staff to support student progress, review programming needs, and ensure alignment with transition plans

Oversees Oakton College opportunities, community partnerships, vocational placements, job coaching, and collaborations with adult agencies such as DRS and service providers

Collects and analyzes program data to evaluate effectiveness and support program improvement

Oversees Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training and monitors behavioral interventions to meet the diverse needs of students

Collaborates with District Transportation Coordinator to arrange transportation for the school year and for extended school year services

Oversees the training for the DLM testing and compliance

Coordinates articulation from grade 8 to grade 9 and the transition between the Winnetka and Glencoe campuses, ensuring smooth continuity of services and accurate placement

Collaborates with sender districts, case managers, and families to support timely evaluations, program planning, and implementation of IEP services

Oversees the transfer and implementation of IEPs, functional assessments, transition plans, and vocational assessments

Leads and manages outplacement processes for ELS and Transition students, including referrals, collaboration with families, and coordination with external programs

Completes all state-required forms for initial and contributed reimbursement within required timelines. Completes necessary state paperwork for outplacements and collaborates with Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of Special Education to ensure correct information is noted in iStar for reimbursement purposes

Serves as the Primary LEA for triennial evaluations ELS and Transition students, ensuring legal compliance and high-quality IEP development

Facilitates evaluations, reevaluations, placement decisions, and service design in collaboration with related service providers and school teams

Ensures adherence to procedural safeguards, timelines, documentation standards, and transition requirements

Supervises and evaluates ELS and Transition staff, SLPs, and School Psychologists. This position also collaborates with the IA Manager on operational and administrative coordination of these programs

Provides coaching, professional development, and ongoing support related to functional instruction, transition planning, and community-based learning

Promotes a collaborative, student-centered culture among ELS and Transition program staff

Works closely with the Executive Director of Special Education and district leadership to ensure program alignment across campuses

Communicates regularly with families regarding programming, services, vocational opportunities, and transition pathways

Serves as a liaison to adult service agencies, community partners, vocational sites, and organizations supporting post–secondary outcomes

Maintains current knowledge of best practices in transition services, functional curriculum, and community-based programming

Oversees logistical aspects of the ELS and Transition program, including facilities, transportation, and budget

Shared oversight of Extended School Year (ESY)

Performs other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Special Education

Qualification

Illinois Professional Educator LicenseMaster’s degree in Special EducationTransition planningUnderstanding of IDEAAdministrativePrincipal endorsementCognitive needsQualified Evaluator certificationLeadership abilityCommunication skills

Required

Illinois Professional Educator License with LBS1 or appropriate endorsement required

Master's degree in Special Education or a related field

Experience working with students with significant cognitive, adaptive, or functional needs

Knowledge of transition planning, functional curricula, vocational programming, and community-based instruction

Strong understanding of IDEA, transition mandates, adult agency systems, and ISBE requirements

Demonstrated leadership ability, strong communication skills, and experience supporting and supervising staff

Preferred

Administrative or principal endorsement preferred or willingness to obtain

Qualified Evaluator certification preferred or willingness to obtain

Benefits

Link to Faculty Salary Schedule

Link to Faculty Benefits

Link to Leadership Stipends -(Department Coordinator 1-15)

Company

New Trier High School District

Founded in 1901, New Trier Township High School District 203 is a comprehensive four-year high school in Northfield and Winnetka, Illinois, along the Lake Michigan shore and approximately 16 miles north of Chicago.

Founded in 1901