Program Specialist Jobs in Texas

Description

Role Mission: Teacher(s) for the 18+ program will help young adults in the 18+ program learn, accommodate, and perform work and daily living duties. Working with young adults in small groups, Teacher(s) will assess young adults strengths and needs to determine the tasks assigned to each individual in the 18+ program. Teacher(s) will work with young adults in the classroom and at the jobsite; ensuring what is taught in the classroom is transferred to actual skills at the job site, providing on the spot feedback and assistance to the young adult(s). Teacher(s) will also teach Industry Based Certifications through IDEA’s partnership with South Texas College and ensure all instruction is tailored to the students’ level of rigor. Teacher(s) will be case managers for all IEP/Transition paperwork and will oversee assigned Job Coach(es) for the 18+ program.

What We Offer

Compensation:

• The starting teacher salary for 0 years of experience is $57,500. This role is eligible for various stipends based on certifications, credentials, and campus leadership ranging from $500-$4,000 each. We also offer additional performance-based compensation. For more information about our compensation and total rewards, visit our compensation and benefits page.
• Service Record Requirement: To ensure compliance with Texas Education Code § 21.4031 and accurately verify creditable service, candidates selected for this position must submit official electronic service records from previous educational employers. Service records will be used to validate professional experience and determine creditable years of service and compensation, as applicable.
• Additional hourly compensation is provided for after school tutoring or Saturday school as assigned.

Other Benefits:

We offer a comprehensive benefits plan, covering the majority of the employee premium for the base medical plan and subsidizing the majority of costs for a spouse/domestic partner and children. Some of the special benefits we offer at IDEA include:

• Paid Family Leave: Eligible staff may receive up to 8 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child, based on their tenure with the organization and caregiver designation.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Staff members may apply for up to 50% of tuition paid toward a qualifying degree program, up to $5,250 maximum per year subject to manager discretion and budget availability.
• Employer-Paid Mental/Behavioral Health: 5 face-to-face counseling sessions within a year, unlimited 24/7 telephonic counseling, and other work-life services available at no cost.

Other benefits include dental and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. IDEA may offer a relocation allowance to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

What You Bring - Competencies

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year educational institution (required)
• Experience: 2+ years’ experience in a Special Education classroom setting with students who have significant disabilities (required); experience in case management for students of transition ages 14-21+ (strongly preferred)
• License or Certification: Valid Texas state certification in Special Education (required); core content areas (strongly preferred)

What You’ll Do - Accountabilities

Ensure successful implementation of transitional experiences so 100% of enrolled young adults meet 90% of their IEP goals

• Act as case manager for all ARD/IEP paperwork
• Develop real world opportunities aligned to student’s IEP Goals, which will allow authentic practice
• Read, analyze, and respond to IEP data tracking to prioritize the highest leverage next action steps
• Participate in highly effective data conversations with young adults, parents, and community stakeholders to increase young adult IEP, transition, and post-secondary outcomes

100% of Transitional Plans are implemented with fidelity

• Collaborate regularly with internal and external stakeholders (WFS, VR, STC, job-sites) to discuss individual transition plans and create action plans to keep the young adult on track
• Collaborate and communicate with young adults and their guardians regularly to track any interest or plan changes
• Identify and place students at job site that align with their strengths and interests outlined in their transition plans
• Maintain 97.5% ADA for young adults enrolled in the program to maximize their ability to meet transition plan goals and outcomes

90% of young adults who graduate from 18+ program will secure a job and/or enroll in a post-secondary program of their choice, which is also aligned to their strengths and interests

• Young adults in the 18+ program will obtain at least 2 industry-based certifications through our partnership with South Texas College
• Partner with community business, which allow students to practice the skills gained through South Texas College industry-based trainings
• Train and allow young adults to regularly access and practice the utilization of public transportation
• Create and maintain strong partnerships with Work Force Solutions and Vocational Rehabilitation for alignment of services during the program and post-graduation

90% student retention from August to August (for students eligible to return)

• Build and maintain strong relationships with young adults and their care takers/guardians
• Ensure classroom and in the field job experiences are engaging, of interest, and meaningful experiences for young adults
• Provide community building opportunities between young adults in the program and Toros Students, such as Special Olympics Unified Sports
• Help in creating individualized retention plans for young adults that may consider not returning

We look for Team and Family who embody the following values and characteristics:

• Believes and is committed to our mission and being an agent of change: that all students are capable of getting to and through college
• Has demonstrated effective outcomes and results, and wants to be held accountable for them
• Has a propensity for action, willing to make mistakes by doing in order to learn and improve quickly
• Works with urgency and purpose to drive student outcomes
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial, high-growth environment; is comfortable with ambiguity and change
• Seeks and responds well to feedback, which is shared often and freely across all levels of the organization
• Works through silos and forges strong cross-departmental relationships in order to achieve outcomes
• We believe in education as a profession and hold ourselves to high level of conduct, professionalism and behaviors as models for our colleagues and students

About IDEA Public Schools

At IDEA Public Schools, we believe each and every child can go to college. Since 2000, IDEA Public Schools has grown from a small school with 150 students to a multi-state network of tuition-free, Pre-K-12 public charter schools.

IDEA Public Schools boasts national rankings on The Washington Post and U.S. News & World Report’s top high schools lists. IDEA serves over 80,000 college-bound students in 143 schools across Texas, Florida, Ohio, and is on-track to maintain its legacy of sending 100% of its graduates to college.

When you choose to work at IDEA, you are part of our IDEA Team and Family. You will work alongside team members who set and reach ambitious goals every day, are excited to continue to grow with IDEA, and work relentlessly to make college for all a reality.

Staff Experience

At IDEA, the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members. Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here!

To Apply

Please submit your application online through Jobvite. It’s in your best interest to apply as soon as possible.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.