Developmental Disabilities Transition Specialist

Yakima Health District
Full time
Regular
Exempt Status: Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)
Overview:
Essential Job Functions:

• Develop and maintain professional relationships with county school districts in Yakima County to facilitate connections to post-graduation/adult services for DDA-eligible students.
• Conduct outreach and education for families and schools about the Job Foundation, providing comprehensive information on available resources and support services.
• Collaborate with service providers to ensure effective service delivery.
• Review and approve Individual Employment (IE), Community Inclusion (CI), and Child Development Services (CDS) requests through the AWA system, ensuring timely and accurate processing.
• Prepare and disseminate informational materials, including flyers, mailings, and invitations, for outreach activities and events.
• Act as key liaison for Transition Program in Yakima County and facilitate collaborative coordination of services and support with other stakeholders.
• Engage with students and families to actively participate in Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and decision-making processes.
• Identify, contact, and provide regular outreach to DDA-eligible transition-age youth and their families.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with local transition programs, service providers, and organizations.
• Facilitate training referrals and connections for DDA and other community services.
• Design and implement projects, training sessions, and presentations for professionals, students, and families related to transition services, best practices for service delivery, and other pertinent topics related to supporting youth with Developmental Disabilities.
• Collaborate with Developmental Disabilities Coordinator and Program Manager to evaluate program effectiveness and lead program development for Transition Program.
• Identify, contact, and provide regular outreach to all DDA-eligible transition-age youth and their families, to ensure comprehensive support and service provision.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Health, Social Services, or a closely related field preferred. A degree in a Social Services field is advantageous.
• An equivalent amount of experience may substitute for education on a one for one basis.
• A minimum of two years of experience working in health services, social services, education, policy development, or community engagement.
• Two years of experience working with system partners, non-profit agencies, service providers, and community groups in the social service field.
• Experience working with individuals with Developmental Disabilities is preferred but not required. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, providing the necessary skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Knowledge of principles of public health, including behavior change theory and community-level interventions, is necessary.
• Familiarity with principles and techniques of community organizing, public speaking, and facilitation is required.
• An understanding of program development, planning, and facilitation principles is necessary.
• Knowledge of relevant RCWs and WACs, as well as HIPAA policies and procedures, is essential.
• Familiarity with client-centered planning and outreach, population health, and the core functions of public health is necessary.
• Be able to understand and follow guidelines and written instructions, adhere to office procedures and guidelines, and manage interruptions.
• Be proficient in using appropriate grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ability to read, speak and write in English is required.

Working Conditions and Expectations:

• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Capacity for independent work and effective organizational skills.
• Ability to build and maintain cooperative working relationships with diverse entities.
• Demonstrated flexibility and strong problem-solving skills.
• Strong advocacy skills and the ability to act as an advocate for efficient and effective services for marginalized and vulnerable populations are necessary for promoting equitable and high-quality service delivery.
• Must be able to obtain a valid Washington State driver's license within 30 days of employment and possess auto insurance, or to be able to demonstrate the ability to travel throughout the county on occasion.
• Ability to satisfactorily complete a DDA background investigation including a criminal records history.
• The successful candidate must prove or obtain immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella diseases within sixty (60) days of employment.
• Must be current with pertussis immunization within sixty (60) days of employment.
• A willingness to become a mandated reporter is required.

"AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER"
Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.
Yakima Health District ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person's age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.
PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish the information.
Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.
Yakima Health District is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/charts/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.
In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima Health District will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.
Yakima Health Districtis an E-Verify Employer.