Vocational Coordinator

Vocational / Transition Coordinator – Wallace Academy

Location: Hoffman Estates, Illinois (Cook County)

Setting: Private Therapeutic Day School – Middle & High School

Position Type: Full-Time

About Wallace Academy

Wallace Academy is a private therapeutic day school serving middle and high school students in special education who demonstrate school refusal behavior and chronic absenteeism. Our mission is to create a safe, nurturing, and collaborative environment that redefines education, instills hope in families, and supports every student unconditionally. We unite school, family, and community to provide holistic, individualized academic and therapeutic support.

Academic and therapeutic services are provided through a blended model of remote learning, home and community-based visits, and in-school instruction. Our team practices a highly collaborative, strengths-based approach that embraces creativity, flexibility, and relationship-building—especially with students who have not attended school regularly for extended periods.

Position Summary

The Vocational / Transition Coordinator will serve as the lead staff member responsible for designing, managing, and implementing all aspects of Wallace Academy’s transition and vocational programming. This role is ideal for an experienced professional with a strong background in special education, transition planning, IEP development, post-secondary readiness, and family collaboration.

This individual will work closely with students, families, teachers, clinicians, district partners, and community organizations to ensure each student has a clear, meaningful, and actionable plan for life after high school—including employment, college enrollment, vocational training, and independent living skills.

The Vocational Coordinator will also spearhead Wallace Academy’s Vocational Development Initiative, building community partnerships, coordinating work-based learning opportunities, guiding students through real-world vocational experiences, and supporting all transition-related IEP components.

Key ResponsibilitiesTransition Planning & IEP Support

• Develop individualized transition assessments, post-secondary goals, and coordinated services in compliance with IDEA and ISBE requirements.
• Lead the development, monitoring, and revision of transition plans within each student’s IEP.
• Collaborate with special education staff, teachers, case managers, and clinicians to support transition goal alignment across academic and therapeutic areas.
• Provide expertise to IEP teams regarding vocational supports, post-secondary outcomes, and evidence-based transition practices.
• Support families in navigating transition services, vocational resources, community supports, and disability services (e.g., DRS, disability accommodations, vocational rehabilitation).

Student & Family Support

• Provide individualized transition counseling for students focusing on career exploration, self-advocacy, executive functioning, and post-secondary options.
• Guide students through concrete next steps:
• arranging college tours
• completing college and program applications
• preparing resumes and portfolios
• practicing interview skills
• exploring vocational certifications and workforce pathways
• Engage families through consistent communication, meetings, and training to promote post-secondary readiness.

Vocational Programming & Workforce Readiness

• Facilitate daily/weekly vocational counseling groups addressing career exploration, employability skills, workplace social communication, and professional behavior.
• Administer or coordinate vocational assessments, interest inventories, and strengths-based tools (e.g., O*NET, Transition Planning Inventory, Casey Life Skills).
• Support students in securing job shadowing, internships, volunteer experiences, and part-time employment when appropriate.
• Provide hands-on coaching in real or simulated work settings.

Leadership of the Vocational Development Initiative

• Expand the school’s vocational program through strategic planning and program development.
• Cultivate partnerships with local businesses, community agencies, colleges, and training programs to create pipelines for students.
• Develop systems for progress monitoring, data collection, and evaluation of program outcomes.
• Present program results, success stories, and recommendations to administration and district partners.

Therapeutic & School Responsibilities

• Participate in clinical meetings, supervision, and multidisciplinary team collaboration.
• Attend home or community visits for students with limited building attendance.
• Maintain accurate documentation, including transition plans, student goals, assessments, and case notes.
• Participate in IEP meetings, district consultations, parent meetings, and staff professional development.

Sample Schedule (Therapy/Vocational Program Staff)

• 7:30–8:30 | Clinical Meeting
• 8:30–10:30 | Home Visit
• 10:30–11:15 | Individual Counseling Session
• 11:15–12:00 | Lunch
• 12:00–12:30 | Vocational Group Counseling
• 12:30–1:30 | IEP Meeting
• 1:30–2:30 | Documentation & Goal Tracking
• 2:30–3:00 | Parent Calls & Emails
• 2:30–3:30 | Teacher Collaboration

Qualifications Preferred

• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), LBS-1
• Experience with special education students or transition-aged youth
• Ability to travel locally for home/community visits
• Experience facilitating group counseling, and background in post-secondary counseling

Required

• Experience developing transition plans aligned with IDEA requirements
• Prior experience in a school setting or therapeutic educational environment
• Familiarity with vocational assessment tools and transition software
• Background in career readiness, workforce development, or vocational instruction
• Excellent communication, organization, and case management skills
• Strong knowledge of IEPs, transition laws, and vocational services

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $58,300 – $82,678.14 (commensurate with experience)
• Retirement package
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement (if eligible)
• Professional development assistance
• Parental leave pay

Schedule

• Monday–Friday, 7:30am–3:30pm
• No nights or weekends
• In-person position

Location

Hoffman Estates, IL 60169Applicants must be able to reliably commute or plan to relocate prior to start.

How to Apply

Please email the following to Rabije Perezic, Clinical Director , at [email protected] :

• Current resume
• Professional references

Clinical license or documentation of license eligibility

Pay: $58,300.00 - $82,678.14 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person