Five Keys Schools and Programs

Mission Statement

Through the use of social and restorative justice principles, Five Keys provides traditionally underserved communities the opportunity to improve their lives through a focus on the Five Keys: EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT, RECOVERY, FAMILY, COMMUNITY.

Five Keys Overview

Five Keys is a nonprofit organization that operates an extensive network of programs across California. With a presence in 14 counties and over 120 locations, Five Keys focuses on various initiatives aimed at empowering individuals and families to overcome poverty and inequity. The organization's programs encompass a wide range of services, including public charter schools, restorative justice programs in jails and prisons, shelters, permanent supportive housing, and the development of new housing and support programs. At Five Keys, the overarching objective is to uplift individuals and families by providing them with essential resources. This includes education, housing, employment, and the necessary tools to sustain their progress. By offering these fundamental elements, the organization aims to create positive and lasting change in communities, making them better places for everyone.

Our Core Competencies

A well qualified candidate has the capacity to communicate effectively, collaborate with others while building positive relationships, demonstrates strong problem solving skills, has a dynamic learning mindset, and remains committed to a high level of cultural and social awareness. A successful candidate will work well under pressure, observe appropriate boundaries and operate with a high degree of emotional intelligence.

What it’s really like to join our agency

At Five Keys, culture matters. Culture is at the very core of everything we do and impact on a daily basis. We’ve made a commitment to building an inclusive culture that seeks collaboration over hierarchy to create empowered work teams.

We serve vulnerable populations daily and we strive to approach everyone with compassion, patience and a trauma informed approach. We choose to push past discomfort to have difficult conversations to impact the greater good. This allows us the opportunity to collaboratively create an inclusive culture and transform the world around us.

BENEFITS

We offer very low monthly costs for medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with generous time off! Various pre-tax flexible spending accounts and retirement account 403(b) are available. We provide annual reimbursements up to $100 towards gym membership, smoking cessation, and weight loss programs. Annual athletic event participation and annual massages are reimbursed up to $50. Other Company-paid benefits, including free wellness-related apps, an Employee Assistance Program, and a comprehensive mental health care platform, are available to you and your dependents.

JOB SUMMARY

The Special Education Transition Manager position reports to the Special Education Program Manager and is accountable for post-secondary transition outcomes for students with disabilities in the NorCal region.

We are looking for someone who insists on maintaining a positive attitude and enjoys supporting a diverse group of people. If this job is for you, you are creative, a systems creator, a multitasker and a compassionate leader. You thrive in the space to create programs which will benefit students in their postsecondary goals. You have a big vision and demonstrate the ability to delegate tasks to make this vision a reality, and you understand the importance of tracking outcomes. You are a party planner and are always ready to celebrate student success. You are a researcher and identify meaningful partnerships to support student transition goals. You have an ability to create community and support those around you in creating goals and crossing the finish line. You are organized, thoughtful, passionate and a strategic thinker.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Communicate with students, parents, staff, community/adult service providers and agencies about issues related to the successful transition of students with disabilities
• Serve as a resource to students and families in accessing community support and transition services as well as providing information about transition topics
• Train and supervise paraprofessionals in assisting students with disabilities to determine appropriate career pathways for successful transition after high school
• Consult with education specialists, general education teachers and paraprofessionals to develop transition goals for students that are necessary for successful transition from school to adult community/post-secondary opportunities
• Attend IEP meetings to discuss transition services and student transition needs
• Identify and oversee administration of appropriate transition/career assessments for students with disabilities and work closely with paraprofessionals or Education Specialists in administering these assessments
• Encourage leadership development opportunities, including community service and peer-education-centered activities to encourage responsibility and other positive social and civic behaviors
• Teach or coordinate teaching of daily living skills and employability skills to students with disabilities
• Develop and coordinate a formal work program and job placements for students with disabilities, including networking in-school, in the district, and in the community
• Schedule job placements for students with disabilities and coordinate any needed transportation to job sites
• Collaborate with leadership to recruit, interview, hire and train new employees
• Collaborate and coordinate with high school counselors to develop college and financial workshops, college fairs and quarterly field trips to community colleges
• Maintain appropriate post-secondary records for Calpads End Of Year (EOY) Reporting
• Travel to Northern California monthly to support students and staff, host events, provide training and attend leadership meetings
• Support alumni and potential graduates with resource events
• Collaborate and coordinate with community agencies and organizations who support students with disabilities (i.e.Department of Rehabilitation and Regional Centers)
• Build and maintain a working collection of post-secondary transition opportunities within the community, and provide information to build capacity grades 9-12 in to support post-secondary options
• Stay informed regarding updates in policies and procedures related to transition at the state, county, and agency level
• Provide in-service training to school staff on transition topics, transition IEP goals and requirements, and new changes or updates in policies and procedures
• Collaborate with transition coordinators in other school districts/counties to discuss and network regarding updates on transition and innovative programs currently being used
• Other duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Ability to carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with Five Keys Policies and Procedures as well as the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
• Understanding of state and federal laws which protect individuals with disabilities in education, employment and community
• Advanced proficiency in Zoom, Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and databases
• Able to maintain strict confidentiality and take all precautions when handling sensitive information

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Education, Social Work or related field required

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must wear provided PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) and adhere to all safety guidelines and requirements, when needed
• Frequent talking and hearing conversations
• Long periods of walking, sitting at a desk and/or computer station
• Lifting items that weigh up to 25 lbs.; reaching, bending, carrying and stooping within the daily routine of tasks and activities

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

This position is contingent upon:

• Satisfactory results of a Live Scan (criminal background investigation)
• Successfully obtaining jail clearance for positions working in county jails or probation locations
• Submitting proof of clear TB results. Results dated within 60 days prior to hire date are acceptable

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Moderate to high noise level
• Work environment varies from site to site
• Some personal safety risk working in underserved communities
• Must be willing and able to work in a correctional facility, travel throughout the area to community sites, and travel state-wide to various locations or meetings as needed
• Up to 30% travel to Five Keys locations throughout California as needed

GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At Five Keys, we understand that when our employees grow, the agency has a greater capacity to thrive and accomplish its mission. It is for this reason that we remain committed to providing ongoing professional development opportunities for all of our employees. These include but are not limited to: conferences, staff development training, and coaching plans that allow incumbents to grow into new positions within and across programs within the agency (i.e., programs, schools, housing).