Vocational Specialist

Starting rate: $24–$26/hour based on experience. Environment: Special Education Program, Grades K–12.

About the role

Spectrum Center Schools and Programs, a growing, dynamic organization with a social mission to offer hope, seeks a Vocational Specialist to join our award-winning Special Education team. This role leads and oversees the vocational training program in alignment with Spectrum practices, policies, and Department of Labor requirements. You will drive student success by managing individualized vocational training plans, delivering job coaching and career counseling aligned to IEP goals and individual career plans, and cultivating strong community-based partnerships and job sites that expand real-world learning opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Administer vocational, career, and transition assessments—including annual age-appropriate inventories, work readiness evaluations, and student profiles beginning at age 14—and support teachers and coordinators in selecting and completing transition assessments for ITP development.
• Develop individualized vocational and career training plans aligned to IEP schedules and provide data and documentation to support IEP/ITP progress reporting.
• Support classrooms in facilitating on-campus unpaid vocational training, career exploration, work-based learning, and pre-employment curriculum activities.
• Design and schedule new on-campus vocational training opportunities to expand hands-on learning pathways.
• Procure and distribute curriculum resources, tools, and materials necessary to sustain high-quality vocational programming.
• Ensure compliance with WAI practices, Department of Labor regulations, and IEP/ITP goals while overseeing student training activities.
• Provide individualized job coaching on and off campus and train classroom staff and stakeholders on effective job methods, procedures, and coaching strategies.
• Manage daily operations of school-based businesses (SBB), oversee student participation, and maintain efficient business practices.
• Coordinate community-based work training by developing new employer partnerships, facilitating job matching, supporting employer relationships, monitoring satisfaction, and addressing concerns in collaboration with school staff.
• Create and maintain student work and training schedules while communicating updates consistently to students and staff.
• Oversee student payroll processes for the WAI program by adhering to payroll procedures, processing work permits and renewals, preparing required documentation (including W-4 and I-9 forms), and training staff and students on payroll protocols.
• Submit timesheets promptly and track payroll documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Attend required trainings and meetings on and off campus to remain aligned with program expectations and regulatory requirements.
• Collect and analyze student data for WAI grant reporting and report outcomes as directed to demonstrate program impact.
• Perform additional duties and special projects as assigned to strengthen vocational outcomes and expand student opportunities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent with passage of basic skills test.
• Hold currently or have the ability to obtain a valid CA state driver’s license.
• Willingness and ability to drive a company van and transport students within the community.
• Ability to obtain and maintain certification in company-approved crisis management training.
• Prior experience and/or highly knowledgeable in providing children with vocational education, job coaching services, and/or job experience training.
• Prior experience and highly knowledgeable in program management and/or development and working with databases/spreadsheets.
• Highly skilled in working with children with learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, emotional behavioral disorders, and/or other related disabilities.
• Proficiency in providing motivation and having critical conversations with students that move them toward realistic goals.
• Highly skilled in building relationships with students, parents, teachers, and community and/or business partners.
• Proven ability to effectively prioritize tasks and meet deadlines while maintaining organization and attention to detail.
• Advanced oral and written communication, organization, conflict resolution, multitasking, problem-solving, and decision-making ability.
• Well-versed in the use of relevant technology including experience with computers, Microsoft Office Suite, database entry, and basic office equipment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans
• Free Telehealth and Virtual Counseling Sessions
• Free Health Advocacy Services and 24/7 Nurse Line
• Company-Paid Life & Disability Insurance
• Company-Paid Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
• Personal Protection Insurance Plans
• Cigna Healthy Pregnancies, Healthy Babies Program
• Legal Services Insurance
• Pet Health Insurance
• Accrual-based Paid Time Off
• School Hours and Paid Holiday Schedule
• Extensive Personal and Life Event Paid Leave Policy
• 401k Retirement Savings Plan
• Perks at Work Employee Discount Program
• Opportunities for Growth & Development

Pay

$24–$26/hour based on experience.