Career Development Competencies
The following tasks have been performed daily by Ron Irvine as an Employment Training Specialist for Grand Rapids Public
Schools from August of 1997 until present. These career development tasks have been performed on a more limited basis
with a wide variety of special education students since date of hire in April of 1984.
- Conduct interviews and record information gained.
- Identify a student's interests, skills, needs, barriers, and resources.
- Apply the resources of one's organization to meet identified needs.
- Assist student/staff in developing a written plan of action (Individual Education Plan, Transition Plan, and
Educational Development Plan). - Administer assessment tests and inventories.
- Help each student find, understand, and know how to use information.
- Conduct job searches using multiple Internet resources and community resources.
- Help students know how to find job openings, develop effective resumes, and participate in an effective job interview.
- Help students find and keep a job.
- Provide instruction to students on topics related to career planning.
- Identify agencies to which students can be referred.
- Maintain secure, accurate, and confidential records about students.
- Assist in the development, delivery, and promotion of services offered by GRPS.
The above were adapted from "Typical Career Development Facilitator (CDF) Tasks" found at: http://associationdatabase.
com/aws/NCDA/pt/sp/facilitator_overview_competencies
Other career development tasks specific to the job of the school-based Employment Training Specialist
- Coordinate large-scale events for students that connect students and education to the world of work, furthering their
career development, awareness of options, and effective transition to employment and adult living (JAM Student
Transition Conference, Senior Seminar on Transition, Reality Store, job fairs, tours). - Coordinate and develop work-based learning opportunities for students: service learning, community service, tours,
job shadows, mentorships, internships, etc. - Collaborate with teachers and transition coordinators to expand opportunities for career development for students
with various disabilities. - Collaborate with school counselors in scheduling job training.
- Coordinate vocational assessment and enrollment in job training.
- Coach students in the process of assessing options and making decisions for job training as a part of lifelong
career development and learning.
Certified Employment Training Specialist since 1994 with Grand Rapids Public Schools
Certified Career Development Facilitator since 2001
Independent Consultant doing business as Career Development Services from April 2006 to June 2008.
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