AUTISTIC SUPPORT SPECIALIST, TEACHER

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Autistic Support Specialist provides a coordinated system of technical assistance driven by the ongoing analysis of training needs and demonstrated outcomes for students and teachers. The overall goal is to develop systematic change, both academically and behaviorally, to ensure that services meet the needs of students with Autism, the Specialist will provide:

• Field-based training.

• Technical assistance.

• Guided practice.

• Collaborative consultation.

• Curriculum development.

• Classroom set-up.

• Support with tier two and three academic and behavioral interventions.

• Resources which reflect research-based strategies for behavioral support.

• Resources which reflect research-based strategies and best educational practices.

WORK MONTHS
10 Months

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Develop and deliver high-quality professional development to ensure teachers and paraprofessionals working in Autistic Support classrooms are knowledgeable and possess the skills needed to work with children identified as Autistic.

2. Create presentations aligned with federal and state regulations, PDE initiatives, and research-based best practices using the latest technology; assist administrators, teachers, aides, parents etc. in developing & maintaining expertise in assigned initiative(s).

3. Provide organized, individual and/or group professional learning opportunities for teachers and paraprofessionals working in Autistic Support classrooms.

4. Observe and provide follow-up related to professional development to ensure implementation of exemplary practices.

5. Develop positive relationships with teachers, aides, parents, administrators, and others.

6. Assist schools in expanding programming, in initiative areas, to meet the needs of all students.

7. Assist in the development and implementation of Positive Behavior Support Plans for individual students.

8. Assist Principal and instructional level teams in developing school-wide positive behavioral supports.

9. Work with PPS administration, school leadership teams and teachers to plan training and programs that increase student achievement for all K-12 students.

10. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and disposition of a change agent.

11. Assist with identifying teaching, learning and/or behavioral needs, barriers and weaknesses by analyzing student data and participate in problem solving sessions.

12. Participate in regional & state sponsored planning & training sessions relative to Autism and students with Autism.

13. Demonstrate continued professional growth through self-directed professional development opportunities.

14. Demonstrate continued professional growth through supervisor, PaTTAN and PDE defined professional development opportunities.

15. Collect, organize & present data for program monitoring & continuous improvement in Special Education.

16. Collect and use data to fulfill PDE and federal requirements, monitor effectiveness of trainings, technical assistance, and guided practice, and to plan for program/service improvement and direction of the program for students with Autism (behavioral and academic needs).

17. Assist with school-wide and state-wide data analysis as part of assessing professional development needs.

18. Supports data teams and collaborates regarding the interpretation of the data to make instructional, curricular and behavioral decisions.

19. Read, understand, utilize, & disseminate research-based information & materials.

20. Read professional journals, research articles, school law newsletters, organizational newsletters, etc. to keep current in the area of Autism and school laws and regulations.

21. Maintain current resources in Autism.

22. Network with consultants in other IUs & PaTTAN.

23. Collaborate with other PSE TaC staff carrying out the same role and responsibilities.

24. Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with PDE staff, initiative area experts, and other appropriate consultants.

25. Participate as a member of various committees, councils, teams, projects, etc.

26. Accurately completes all required paperwork within the designated timelines.

27. Utilizes all available resource materials (i.e., Employee Handbook, IU1 website, Collective Bargaining Agreement, Professional Code of Conduct, Procedural Manual, etc.) to complete required paperwork, maintain professionalism and to avoid potential violations/noncompliance.

28. Other relevant duties as assigned by supervisor in support of the department's or school’s goals and objectives and the District's mission and Superintendent's Priority Goals.



EDUCATION REQUIRED

• Bachelor’s Degree or master’s degree in special education

• Knowledge of the compliance requirements of state and federal special education law.

• Knowledge of state standards, initiatives, curriculum, and assessments.

• Training and experience in Applied Behavior Analysis.

• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, and Office 365.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSURE REQUIRED
· Valid PDE-issued Special Education certification.

For more information on Pennsylvania (PA) Department of Education Certification Requirements visit the a href="https://www.education.pa.gov/Educators/Certification/PAEducators/Pages/PACerts.aspx">PA Department of Education’s Certification Types and Codes webpage .

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
A minimum of five years of relevant teaching experience is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
· Fluent with all Chapter 14 and IDEA paperwork, in addition to being fluent in IEP Writer.

· Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as Experience performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

• Ability and willingness to exhibit competency in the technical areas needed to do a specific job (Excel, Power Point, Internet, IEP Writer).

• Ability and willingness to organize instructional and behavioral teams to review student and building data for ongoing progress.

• Ability and willingness to perform work within defined specifications and timelines and to manage conflicting priorities.

• Ability and willingness to interact and communicate effectively with stakeholders.