Transition to Adulthood Program Coordinator

New Heights School & Learning Services supports autistic learners in the school, home and community setting. The Transition to Adulthood (T2A) branch works with young adults and their families through the transition from high school to adulthood in 5 key areas: Employment, Post Secondary Transitions, Independent Living, Social Environments, and Health & Wellness. We work with New Heights students and alumni, ages 16-25. We are a program that utilizes the strengths and interests of each young adult and family to address developmental goals and the individual’s and their family’s priorities. 

New Heights currently requires a Transition to Adulthood Program Coordinator 0.6-0.8 FTE to oversee all aspects of the T2A Program. This program runs year-round. 

The Transition to Adulthood Coordinator’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Initial intake and ongoing coordination of service delivery for each individual and their family
• Build rapport and trust with T2A participants through classroom participation, group sessions and individual sessions. Participants include both high school students and graduates.
• Identify individual’s needs in each area of transition, create goals to ensure that each individual’s plan meets the individual’s needs and priorities, as well as takes into account parent priorities, coordinate with the individual’s school program where applicable
• Assess needs in our 5 areas of support and provide direct coaching, family support, and/or assistance transitioning to other resources in the community. Support in the 5 key areas may include:
  • Assist participants with such matters as job readiness skills, writing resumés, preparing for job interviews, and provide job coaching.
  • Identify barriers to employment and assist participants to develop strategies to overcome barriers.
  • Meeting with potential employers to help support participants in securing employment opportunities.
  • Group and Individual Transit Training and street safety (this may involve occasional hours in an evening or early morning)
  • Supervise community outings/tours for participants
  • Assist with planning and attend T2A hangouts each month (may require occasional evening hours)
  • Scaffolding support for participants to try new opportunities such as volunteer, recreation, employment or post-secondary opportunities
• Hire, train, mentor, and manage all program staff (Community Coaches) and subcontract staff (psychologist, summer staff, etc)
• Maintain records, document sessions and review staff documentation
• Conduct (or coordinate) Capacity Assessments with participants and assist families with legal paperwork for Guardianship & Trusteeship, PDD, and AISH applications. 
• Provide parent and/or participant workshops throughout the year on relevant topics
• Oversee planning and implementation of summer programming for high school students entering their Grade 12 year and T2A participants
• Liaison with New Heights School administrative team
• Maintain positive collaborative working relationships with individuals, agencies, and organizations involved in supporting autistic young adults in Calgary area
• Participate in ongoing program development, strategic planning, and annual outcomes reporting
• Ensure current working knowledge of resources, research, and literature related to autism
• Must have availability to work 37.5hrs within Monday to Friday 7:00am-6:00pm time frame with occasional requirements outside of the stated hours

Qualifications:

• Graduate Degree in Occupational Therapy, Social Work, Disability Studies, Education or related field preferred
• Lived experience or direct experience working with and advocating for autistic/neurodivergent youth and young adults
• Experience in managing and coordinating individualized service delivery programs is an asset 
• Strong leadership, relationship building, organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills
• Monday to Friday daytime hours with occasional weeknight or weekend requirements
• Demonstrated clinical skills (individual, parent, family, multidisciplinary therapy team), coupled with the ability to be self-directed, highly motivated and work effectively in a team environment.

Please submit your resume and cover letter to New Heights Executive Director:

Mathew Worthy

[email protected]

Resumes will be received until the position is filled with initial interviews taking place late March.