Autism Strategist

TITLE:AutismStrategist

POSITION TYPE:TCHR

HIRING SPECIFICATIONS:

Required:

1. Valid Iowa teaching endorsement in special education or Statement of Professional Recognition: Speech Language Pathologist or School Social Worker.
2. Masters Degree in education or related field.
3. Four years teaching/support experience in working with students with autism spectrum disorder and/or challenging behavior.

Desired:

1. Experience with databased decision making.
2. Experience working with students with challenging behavior in an urban school setting.
3. Experience providing professional development around evidenced based practices for students with autism spectrum disorder and/or challenging behavior.

BASIC FUNCTION:

Collaborate with special education support staff to improve student achievement and
promote prosocial skills in students with multiple disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder through training and guidance in the use of evidencebased strategies utilized with students with autism spectrum disorder. Lead special education teams in behavior consultation for support with individual students with multiple disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder who exhibit challenging behaviors. Provide function based interventions model strategies and interventions and guide the support team with making data baseddecisions for behavior programming. Follow state and district approved process to participate in IEP processes with teams as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide expertise and guidance in the evaluation process for children with autism spectrum disorder.
2. Provide intensive individual supports and evidencebased interventions used with students with autism spectrum disorder who exhibit challenging behaviors through behavior consultation with special education teams.
3. Collaborate with special education teams through consultation to assist with behavior assessment data analysis and identification of function and behavior intervention strategies for individual students with multiple disabilities and/or autism spectrum disorder.
4. Provide ongoing consultation support to special education teams through modeling of behavioral and instructional procedures and strategies as needed.
5. Collaborate with Des Moines Training Team members and District BCBA Behavior Strategists with behavior assessments.
6. Provide professional development around evidencebased strategies and supports for students with autism spectrum disorder.
7. Attend district training and professional learning opportunities as directed.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (for every DMPS position):

1. Attend work on a prompt and regular basis.
2. Maintain confidentiality.
3. Maintain satisfactory and harmonious working relationships with the public students and other employees.
4. Assist with other duties as may be assigned

EVALUATES:NA
BARGAINING GROUP:DMEA

FLSA STATUS:Exempt

FT/PT:Full TimeDAYS:195 or 199 days HOURS:7.75 Hour Day

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Standing walking sitting bending/stooping reaching/pushing/pulling lifting carrying

WORKING CONDITIONS:Mostly indoors with some outdoor responsibilities during recess and arrival/dismissal

All of the above duties and responsibilities are essential job functions subject to reasonable accommodation. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum level of knowledge skills and/or ability to perform the job proficiently. This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties responsibilities or requirements. Individuals may be required to perform anyother jobrelated instructions as requested by their supervisor subject to reasonable accommodation.

Approved By: Emily Behrens

Date: 05/06/2025

Employee Benefits Information

All candidates offered a position will be required to successfully pass a criminal background check and a child and adult abuse registry check. Certain positions may require fingerprinting a drug and alcohol test a physical capacity test and/or a motor vehicle record check.