POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Autism Resource Specialist-DESE Project ACCESS
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 2555
GRADE 42
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Associate Director, DESE Project ACCESS
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Director, DESE Project ACCESS
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Autism Resource Specialist is responsible for assisting professional education staff and other related service providers in observing children demonstrating Autism Spectrum Disorder behaviors and identifying, developing, and/or referring curricula, materials, and equipment appropriate for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The Autism Resource Specialist assists in identifying and implementing appropriate behavior management and communication systems and occasionally will demonstrate evaluation and teaching procedures on-site in the classroom. The Autism Resource Specialist develops multimedia materials and plans, coordinates, and conducts in-service training workshops. The Autism Resource Specialist may assist professional education staff in evaluating educational materials (e.g., texts and student-use materials) as well as assessment instruments, and assists in advising on the selection of those materials and instruments appropriate for public schools.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A Bachelor's degree is required, with an emphasis in Special Education, Speech-Language Pathology, Psychology, or a closely related field preferred. A Master's degree is preferred.
Experience: At least two years of responsible experience in the public school system with an emphasis in Special Education or related services is required. Significant experience in working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, preferably gained in the public school system, is preferred. Successful teaching experience is preferred.
Skills: Strong verbal and written communication skills are required. Excellent interpersonal skills in working with teachers, parents, administrators, and other constituencies are required. Organizational and public speaking skills are required. Must be able to use the internet to communicate with individuals. The ability to research topics relevant to Autism Spectrum Disorder is required. The ability to visually observe student behavior on an occasional basis in order to provide evaluations and make recommendations regarding appropriate educational programming is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds 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.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Assists the Associate Director in developing and monitoring the web-based Community of Practice technical network by researching questions, grading online assignments, and posting articles of interest, parent supports, and links to helpful websites.
2. Provides Missouri public school teachers with support and/or resources to develop skills in working with students with Autism Spectrum Disorders by assisting school staffs in planning assessments of children demonstrating Autism Spectrum Disorder behaviors, assisting in identifying, obtaining and developing curricula, materials, and equipment appropriate for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders, assisting in identifying and implementing appropriate behavior management and communication systems, and, occasionally demonstrating evaluation and teaching procedures on-site in the classroom.
3. Enhances the abilities of public school teachers and other related service providers to develop and manage educational programs for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder by assisting with planning, coordinating, and conducting in-service training workshops.
4. Maintains professional competence and expands the knowledge base and ability of the agency to serve local education agencies (LEA) by attending professional development seminars, workshops, and related activities and sharing the information gathered from these professional activities with other professionals and parents.
5. Promotes awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders as a disability and the services available through the office of Project ACCESS by posting, at a minimum, quarterly articles on the Project ACCESS website.
6. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
7. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the Director or Associate Director of Project ACCESS.
8. Contributes to the overall success of the Project ACCESS office by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Autism Resource Specialist is supervised by the Associate Director of Project ACCESS and assists in the supervision of staff in the absence of the Associate Director.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED APRIL 2016
