Autism Resource Specialist (St. Louis Regional Area)

The Autism Resource Specialist (ARS) provides a comprehensive, sustained, and intensive approach to improving school-based personnel ability to effect measurable educational progress by students with autism or a related developmental disability. This position coordinates and develops three primary activities: performing consultations with school personnel, providing professional development for school personnel, and by creating and providing resources and expertise to school personnel. This role manages all aspects of Project ACCESS programs in the field, working with a broad spectrum of public-school personnel including teachers, administrators, related service providers, and para-educators. The ARS is responsible for consulting with and training school-based multidisciplinary teams in assessment of students who present with autism spectrum disorder behaviors or characteristics to determine eligibility for special education services. This position advocates for the use of research-supported autism evidence-based interventions in the development of programming and behavior support plans, as well as, assists school-based multidisciplinary teams in establishing autism programs including the design of the school environment, assessing personal professional development targets for educators, and development of Individualized Education Plans for students, creates written, graphic, and multimedia resources appropriate for use in the school environment.

This position is grant funded, and continuation of this position is contingent upon continued grant funding.

This position coordinates and develops three primary activities: performing consultations with school personnel, providing professional development for school personnel, and by creating and providing resources and expertise to school personnel. This role manages all aspects of Project ACCESS programs in the field, working with a broad spectrum of public-school personnel including teachers, administrators, related service providers, and para-educators. The ARS is responsible for consulting with and training school-based multidisciplinary teams in assessment of students who present with autism spectrum disorder behaviors or characteristics to determine eligibility for special education services.

Education: A master’s degree in education, special education, psychology, applied behavior analysis, communication sciences and disorders, occupational therapy, or physical therapy is required.

Experience: At least five years of experience in working with individuals with autism including assessment, programming, and support of these individuals is required. A minimum of two years of experience in an educational setting is required. Documented experience in, classroom teaching, and online content development and delivery of instructional content and instructional resources is preferred.

Skills: Comprehensive knowledge of current research-based instructional and assessment practices related to facilitating educational progress of public-school students with autism, including the identified autism evidence-based practices is required. Comfort in using and the ability to effectively use technology tools is required, including but not limited to, the use of mainstream office suites (including group calendaring and appointment/meetings), learning management systems, instructional design tools (slideshow software, graphic design, video editing), social media tools (podcasting, blogging, social media apps), research and data reporting tools (survey software, forms software), marketing tools (email marketing systems, list servs, web forum), and cloud-based storage systems. Strong verbal and written communication skills including effective public speaking skills and knowledge of strategies used to teach adult learners are required. The ability to efficiently research topics relevant to autism and maintain current knowledge of best practices in autism and educator training is required. The ability to critically evaluate IEPs, program plans, behavior support plans, and research data for relevance and scientific support is required.

Other: The scope of the position requires occasional out-of-town, state-wide travel and overnight stays to attend conferences, workshops, seminars, and to provide on-site consultation in the public schools.

This position is grant funded, and continuation of this position is contingent upon continued grant funding.

The first date of consideration is March 22, 2024, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Official transcripts required at time of hire.

This position is posted at both the Autism Resources Specialist and Autism Resources Specialist-BCBA level with the intent to only make one hire for the St. Louis regional area. If you wish to be considered for both positions, you must apply to both postings.

Autism Resource Specialist (St. Louis area/Posting 20240035FTS): https://jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/73389

Autism Resource Specialist-BCBA (St. Louis Area/Posting 20240039FTS): https://jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/73569