Position Title: Autism Consultant
Immediate Supervisor: Director of Student Services
Summary: Partners with educators, families and communities to provide effective learning environments for all students. Helps ensure success for all learners. Provides assistance in designing and developing educational programs that increase the probability students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) progress toward their potential. Works with others to enhance the communication, behavior and socialization skills of ASD children through staff development and consultation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Other duties may be assigned.)

• Supports total school/community efforts to create a positive learning environment for students/children.
• Serves as liaison among the District, District building(s), families and community and collaborates with various teams to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
• Models, implements and assesses strategies related to learning, social, emotional and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
• Provides ongoing support to educational staff related to applicable rules and laws.
• Integrates research into the design of best practices.
• Consults with teachers and administrators regarding best practices for classroom and building educational programs.
• Follows policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws, the Iowa Dept of Education and the District, which includes, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
• Provides training and assistance in autism instructional practices, strategies and content, including support in planning, development and implementation at school and home.
• Provides guidance in the identification, examination, development and evaluation of educational goals and programs.
• Collaborates with various teams to determine appropriate outcomes, goals, objectives and activities.
• Confers with parents and appropriate school personnel regarding autism issues.
• Provides educational leadership across the District in the area of autism.
• Researches and disseminates information on best practices for students with autism.
• Participates in projects, committees or activities to support the District’s mission, goals and priorities.
• Demonstrates self-discipline and initiative to produce high-quality, organized and dependable results.
• Conveys a positive and professional image to staff and public.
• Handles information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA, HIPAA, etc).
• Pursues professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational directions.
• Serves as liaison to statewide autism resources and facilitates District use of those resources.
• Participates on Autism Resource Team.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:
None

Minimum Education or Experience:

• Master’s degree in speech-language pathology, special education, psychology or other related area of education.
• Three years of professional experience in K-12 education, including educational program planning in the area of autism.
• Advanced training and knowledge in autism educational strategies, which may include but not be limited to TEACCH, ABA, Picture Exchange Communication Systems, functional communication, visual strategies, functional behavioral analysis, etc.

Licensure or Certification:

• Iowa instructional or support license, or Dept of Public Health license with Dept of Education Statement of Professional Recognition.
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst preferred but not required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed here are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
• Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of the District.
• Ability to integrate educational theory, research and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts, in a service style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement.
• Effective presentation and group facilitation skills.
• Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
• Knowledge of best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
• Knowledge of applicable rules and laws that govern educational decisions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, write reports and correspondence, and apply appropriate mathematical concepts.
• Ability to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes, but is not limited to, efficient operation of telephone and voice mail systems and application of basic computer skills to effectively use e-mail, internet and word processing.
• Possess a valid Iowa driver’s license.

Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Must be able to hear, see, speak, walk, stoop, bend and stand to carry out routine duties. Must be able to lift or move up to 50 lbs. May also involve above-average levels of activity at times that can’t always be anticipated. The employee must be able to travel from one location to another.
Work Environment: (The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
Noise level is quiet to loud. Work may be in non air-conditioned rooms. Tobacco, drug and alcohol-free environment. Fast-paced atmosphere with constant contact with students, staff, parents and the public. May include some evening work.
The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel in this position. These statements are not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his or her supervision

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: (Other duties may be assigned.)

• Supports total school/community efforts to create a positive learning environment for students/children.
• Serves as liaison among the District, District building(s), families and community and collaborates with various teams to assure positive outcomes for all learners.
• Models, implements and assesses strategies related to learning, social, emotional and behavioral needs to enhance educational programming for all learners.
• Provides ongoing support to educational staff related to applicable rules and laws.
• Integrates research into the design of best practices.
• Consults with teachers and administrators regarding best practices for classroom and building educational programs.
• Follows policies, procedures, standards and rules in accordance with national and state laws, the Iowa Dept of Education and the District, which includes, but is not limited to, developing and maintaining proper and adequate records and documentation.
• Provides training and assistance in autism instructional practices, strategies and content, including support in planning, development and implementation at school and home.
• Provides guidance in the identification, examination, development and evaluation of educational goals and programs.
• Collaborates with various teams to determine appropriate outcomes, goals, objectives and activities.
• Confers with parents and appropriate school personnel regarding autism issues.
• Provides educational leadership across the District in the area of autism.
• Researches and disseminates information on best practices for students with autism.
• Participates in projects, committees or activities to support the District’s mission, goals and priorities.
• Demonstrates self-discipline and initiative to produce high-quality, organized and dependable results.
• Conveys a positive and professional image to staff and public.
• Handles information in a confidential manner in accordance with established policies and legal requirements (FERPA, HIPAA, etc).
• Pursues professional growth opportunities and relationships to keep current with and influence educational directions.
• Serves as liaison to statewide autism resources and facilitates District use of those resources.
• Participates on Autism Resource Team.
• Performs other duties as may be assigned

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed here are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Ability to communicate effectively and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to function effectively as a team member and work collaboratively with others and independently as appropriate.
• Ability and willingness to be flexible and respond to the changing needs of the District.
• Ability to integrate educational theory, research and expertise into appropriate practices for local contexts, in a service style that facilitates positive change and continuous improvement.
• Effective presentation and group facilitation skills.
• Ability to use data to make educationally sound decisions.
• Knowledge of best practices in curriculum, instruction and assessment.
• Knowledge of applicable rules and laws that govern educational decisions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents, write reports and correspondence, and apply appropriate mathematical concepts.
• Ability to use and integrate technology appropriately in daily work which includes, but is not limited to, efficient operation of telephone and voice mail systems and application of basic computer skills to effectively use e-mail, internet and word processing.
• Possess a valid Iowa driver’s license