Location: Various Locations, NY Category: Professional Posted On: Tue Jun 18 2024 Job Description:

Empire State University CAARES is seeking a Program Associate and Training Coordinator (State Title: Senior Staff Assistant) who will play a vital role in supporting the Center achieve its mission through collaboration with neurodivergent communities and other stakeholders within and outside the University to support community-informed initiatives. The selected candidate will coordinate day-to-day operations of CAARES in support of all aspects of the Center's mission and strategic goals. In addition, the candidate will take a lead role in CAARES' training initiatives. This includes designing, implementing, and overseeing training programs aimed at empowering Empire State University students and employees, including those who are neurodivergent, healthcare professionals, caregivers, and the community at large, to better advocate and support neurodivergent individuals via inclusive, sustainable frameworks. The successful candidate must demonstrate empathy, patience, and a genuine passion for promoting the well-being and inclusion of those CAARES supports.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordination of Operations: Oversee day-to-day operations of CAARES activities, in coordination with the Center's director and assistant director, including budgeting; strategic plan development, tracking, and reporting; implementation of initiatives and projects; communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, and supporting university-wide offices and initiatives.

• Training Development and Implementation: Collaboratively and independently develop and implement comprehensive training and professional development to various audiences, incorporating evidence-based practices and current research in the field of neurodiversity and autism advocacy. Professional development topics will include but are not limited to universal supports, advocacy, and workforce support with a theme of promoting inclusion.

• Training Delivery: Conduct training sessions, workshops, and seminars both in-person and virtually, promoting engagement and interaction amongst participants.

• Resource Development: Create resources that support advocacy, inclusion, and broader training initiatives; these may include but are not limited to online modules, assessments, and toolkits.

• Collaboration and Professional Development: Collaborate and foster partnerships with local and broader organizations, such as schools, healthcare institutions, and advocacy groups; stay current with trends and evidenced-based strategies; collaborate continuously with CAARES' directors and other CAARES'-affiliated individuals; engage with experts in the field.

• Evaluation, Feedback, and Data Collection: Supports data collection and analysis to evaluate the efficacy, including social validity of CAARES, identifying areas for growth, and making changes as needed.

• Advocacy and Awareness: Central to the position is advocacy for the rights and needs of neurodivergent individuals, including autistic people, allyship, promoting acceptance, and challenging misconceptions. They may participate in initiatives such as advocacy campaigns, conferences, research investigations, and manuscript preparation and development.

About the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES): Founded in 2020, the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research, Education, and Supports (CAARES) is dedicated to collaboration with and advocacy in support of neurodivergent and autistic communities. CAARES' mission is to provide universally designed and community-informed resources to support equitable access for autistic and neurodivergent individuals through advocacy-based research, educational initiatives, and global supports; its vision is to shape inclusive environments that create a sense of belonging for autistic and neurodivergent people.

CAARES, spearheaded by Drs. Noor Syed and Lauren Lestremau Allen, is currently implementing universal and tiered behavioral supports across all programs through a multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) framework, an initiative that is guided by advisory teams comprised of autistic, neurodivergent, and neuronormative students, alumni, employees, and community members. Through these efforts, Empire State University was designated an Autism Supportive College? by Anderson Center for Autism in 2022.

Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in education, psychology, special education, social work, or a related field from a regionally accredited U.S. university or comparable non-U.S. university.

• Strong knowledge of neurodiversity and autism spectrum disorder, including its characteristics, prevalence, and evidence-based interventions.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage diverse audiences and build collaborative relationships.

• Organizational skills and attention to detail to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and resources effectively; and

• The ability to work with students, employees, and other relevant and interested parties from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in online and blended professional development formats.

• Administrative or leadership experience and skills.

• Experience in designing and delivering training programs, preferably in the field of autism advocacy or special education.

• Experience in and/or demonstrated history of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusive practices.

Special Information:

• Hours may vary to accommodate training needs.

• Some travel and overnights may be required for meetings and other professional development.

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

• SUNY Empire provides employees with robust remote and flexible work options to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff in a dispersed work environment.

  Additional Information:

Rank/Salary: SL3 / $60,000.

Empire State University is an EOE employer.

We are pleased to offer our employees an excellent benefit package which includes NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals; and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff.

IF YOU NEED A DISABILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE ADA COORDINATOR AT (518) 587-2100, ext. 2240. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TITLE II CRIME AWARENESS AND SECURITY ACT, A COPY OF OUR CRIME STATISTICS IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST BY CALLING (518) 587-2100, ext. 2800. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED ON-LINE AT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY WEBSITE AT www.sunyempire.edu/safety-security.