CCS Life Design and Transition Coordinator

State Title: Project Specialist
Employment Type: 35 hours per week/Full-time

About the role

The Life Design and Transition Coordinator for the Career & Community Studies (CCS) Program at TCNJ supports CCS college students in a 4-year process of personal discovery, futures planning, and skill development to establish a path to a desired adult life. Life Design refers to a sequential and systematic individualized approach to identifying attributes, talents, and interests, facilitating the transition into a successful post-program/adult life. This role ensures each graduate is prepared for competitive integrated employment, independent living, and overall independence through a comprehensive life and transition planning curriculum.

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, featuring 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.

Responsibilities

• Curriculum Development: Develop a Life Design and Transition curriculum using backward design to reflect measurable outcomes expected of students by program completion. Include a detailed scope and sequence implemented throughout coursework and field experiences.
• Coursework/Instruction:
  • Create/revise course syllabi to reflect curriculum implementation and teach 4-5 courses per semester, plus 1 course in winter and/or summer term.
  • Infuse and implement the customized employment discovery process, ensuring fidelity and providing partner agencies with current personalized information.
  • Collaborate with CCS staff to identify and foster opportunities promoting inter-subjectivity, career exploration, avocational/recreational guidance, and independent living skills development.
• Field Experiences/Internships:
  • Develop, organize, and manage on-campus field experiences, including a progress monitoring system that informs summative evaluations. Schedule all field experiences 6 weeks prior to the end of each semester.
  • Monitor progress of senior internships and participate in bi-monthly reviews with the contracted VR agency supporting internships.
• Post-Program Follow-Along: Monitor and assist in the Follow-Along Initiative, involving other staff and/or a contracted agency as appropriate.
• Assessment:
  • Conduct initial and annual assessments of each student in areas such as executive functioning, problem-solving, memory capacity, collaboration, communication, social/emotional status, and needed supports, potentially through a CCS staff working group.
  • Design and implement continuous progress monitoring for each student in areas like inter-subjectivity, pre-employment skills, career goal refinement, and social-emotional development, in coordination with academic and student life activities.
• Student Achievement:
  • Develop, implement, and maintain a web-based profile for each CCS student, with guidance from CCS administration.
  • Facilitate the development and implementation of a Life Design Team for each student, launched at the end of the first semester of freshman year and continuing throughout the program.
• Student Support: Identify, train, schedule, and monitor Life Design and Transition mentors, assessing effectiveness through regular mentor meetings.
• Employer Development: Support the development and coordination of an employer training and recognition program in conjunction with CCS administration and an outside VR agency.
• Administrative Duties:
  • Prepare and maintain accurate student records related to the Life Design and Transition program.
  • Maintain a communication summary log of all interactions with TCNJ departments, individuals, outside agencies, parents, and others.
  • Attend department meetings, sponsored events, and other activities as requested by CCS administration.
  • Collect and report monthly accountability data on all job responsibilities (e.g., number, time, length, and content of mentor meetings).
• Other Duties: Perform additional duties as assigned, which may include supporting CCS articulation/fifth-year students. Evening and weekend responsibilities are required.

Requirements

• BA/BS required; Master’s degree preferred in Special Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered in lieu of degree requirements.
• Professional certification in special education, vocational rehabilitation, or a related field (experience may substitute for certification).
• 3-5 years of work experience in education and/or the disability field, with preference for career and employment support experience.
• Experience working with youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities, preferably in a post-secondary/college setting.
• Demonstrated skills in effective teaching practices for college-age students, curriculum development, college-level coursework creation, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) implementation.
• Working knowledge of federal/state regulations related to disability support, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Amended Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the federal Homestead Act, and privacy requirements.
• Knowledge of New Jersey’s state and local services for youth with ID/DD, occupational conditions, trends, job development, and community employment resources.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage time effectively, meet competing demands, and demonstrate flexibility.
• Willingness to collaboratively share office space and resources.
• Valid driver’s license.

Employment at TCNJ is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, reference checks, and verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States (Form I-9). Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions of the position.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and prescription plans.
• Generous leave entitlements program and Energy Savings Program.
• Employee and dependent tuition waiver and reimbursement program.
• Pension, retirement, and deferred compensation plans, including group life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Employee affinity groups.
• New Jersey State Employee Discount Program (e.g., pet insurance, cell phone plan discounts, discounted amusement park tickets).
• Access to extensive learning opportunities.

Pay

Salary Range: $68,000 - $78,000