Job Purpose

The Director of Clinical Services will oversee designing, implementing, and evaluating high-quality, evidence-based autism therapeutic and educational services at The Els Center of Excellence. This role involves ensuring that all services align with evidence-based practices for autism and meet the unique needs of our clients, families, and staff.

This position is also responsible for collaborating with and training staff at the Learning Academy, a Palm Beach County Charter School, housed on campus.

Responsibilities:

Clinical Services Oversight

• Oversee the day-to-day operations, including budgets, of all therapeutic and educational services and client needs to ensure high-quality service delivery and sustainability.
• Oversee and monitor the electronic medical record, scheduling, documentation, billing, and credentialing processes for therapeutic services in collaboration with the accounting department.
• Collaborate with clinical experts, educators, and other stakeholders to design, deliver, and monitor high-quality services rooted in evidence-based practices for autism.
• Provide leadership and guidance to all therapeutic services team members, ensuring that they deliver the highest quality of care to individuals with autism.
• Monitor, evaluate the efficacy, and make recommendations for improvement of therapeutic interventions and educational services.
• Collaborate with external providers and agencies to coordinate comprehensive care for individuals with autism.
• Oversee the university practicum/internship and professional observership programs
• Oversee the training and professional development of Foundation and charter school staff
• Develop and oversee the continuing education content within the Els for Autism learning management system.
• Prepare regular reports on program performance and needs and share findings with the leadership team.
• Attend and participate in program and all staff meetings and necessary trainings/conferences as required
• Provide direct service, as needed, to support cohesive and coordinated care for the clients and families served.

Grant Writing and Research

• Identify funding needs for therapeutic and educational services and support the grant writing process in securing necessary funds.
• Attend and actively participate in campus wide research meetings and research projects related to therapeutic and educational services.

Campus-Wide Collaborations

• Conduct observations of classroom instruction and therapeutic service implementation of The Learning Academy, a Palm Beach County Charter School on campus, and the Els for Autism programs via video recording and through in-person observations.
• Provide individual written summaries of findings and participate in meetings with the leadership team at The Learning Academy and Els for Autism with feedback and recommendations; provide coaching and training to staff as required.
• Collaborate with staff and administration at The Learning Academy to ensure a trusting and effective professional relationship is developed and maintained.
• Create and implement surveys for parents, teachers, clinicians, and other program staff for feedback and quality assurance.

Staff Management

• Collaborate with HR to Recruit, hire, and train qualified staff to support the growth and sustainability of therapeutic and educational services.
• Provide ongoing supervision and mentorship to therapeutic services team members.
• Foster a positive and inclusive work environment.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate degree in speech-language pathology, applied behavior analysis, special education, psychology, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience working in autism services, with at least 5 years in a supervisory role.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing multiple programs and deadlines related to program development and evaluation.
• Experienced in employee management, performance coaching, fiscal management and grant writing.
• Demonstrated competencies across age ranges (birth through adulthood) and cultural groups due to the diversity of individuals and families served. 
• Demonstrated experience with strategic thinking and problem-solving ability.
• Demonstrated experience in working collaboratively with groups or teams at all levels within the organization and externally.
• Expertise in therapeutic interventions for children with autism and their families to address developmental, communicative, adaptive, and behavioral needs.
• Experienced in the implementation and management of communication and behavioral assessment and treatment programs for individuals with ASD and related developmental disabilities. 
• Experienced in research and clinical procedures, data collection, and treatment
• Advanced theoretical understanding and philosophical appreciation for developmentally based communication, educational and interventions.
•  Experience with insurance credentialling and billing for clinical services
• Experience with research related to ASD and other developmental disabilities
• Experience conducting, analyzing, and reporting on classroom and program observations
• Experienced in presenting in conferences and trainings
• High-level proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and web-based navigation.
• Valid Florida driver’s license and reliable transportation

Preferred Qualifications 

• Preferred Dual Certification: licensed and certified speech-language pathologist and board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA/BCBA-D), or PsyD/PhD in clinical psychology and BCBA/BCBA-D
• PCM and CPR Certified
• Bilingual English/Spanish, English/Portuguese

Work Environment 

• Work is performed on campus and in community-based locations.
• Required to sit, kneel, stand, or bend in support of clients’ needs.
• Flexibility in schedule; position may include working hours in the evenings and/or on weekends and travel
• Dress code is comfortable business casual attire.

Els for Autism is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Els for Autism is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, where diversity is valued and all individuals, regardless of background, identity, or ability, are respected and provided equal opportunities for success. To learn more, please visit elsforautism.org.

The Els for Autism Vocational Training Specialist will work with the Assistant Manager of Employment Programs to develop, plan, implement, and assess vocational programs for adults with ASD and related developmental disabilities. The Vocational Training Specialist will teach specific curriculum and courses that foster vocational skills in preparation for paid employment. Vocational training will take place at The Els Center of Excellence® campus in our state-of-the-art visually engineered vocational labs and across community-based settings.

Instructional Roles & Responsibilities:

• Utilize explicit and systematic instruction methods (i.e., preview, breaking down tasks, building on skills, group activities, review as appropriate).
• Utilize applied behavior analytic strategies such as reinforcement, de-escalation techniques and data collection methods within instructional and behavior management procedures.
• Utilize a system of systematic prompting from most to least for new skills and least to most for learned skills and fading strategies during skill acquisition, practice, and maintenance.
• Create groupings and natural support systems to fit the needs of each participant (i.e. employee mentors, pairs, one-on-one)
• Develop visual and communication supports for program participants and complete a referral for clinical services (e.g., applied behavior analysis, speech language therapy, mental health counseling) and support as needed.
• Develop, implement, and refine curriculum materials for industries being taught; ensuring content is accessible, engaging, and tailored to the learning needs and targeted outcomes of adults with ASD.
• Ensure self-determination activities are embedded as a foundation for services and supports within programs.
• Administrative Roles & Responsibilities:
• Create spaces and procedures in the classroom, on the campus, or in the community that ensures the safety of participants
• Collaborate with Assistant Manager of Employment Programs to review individual support plans for each program participant.
• Perform document reviews and review the Person-Centered Plan (PCP) for each participant frequently to ensure delivery of instruction matches individualized goals.
• Administer assessments and collect data, as required by the Agency for Persons with Disabilities (APD).
• Maintain accurate, timely, and organized participant notes, attendance records and reports within each participant’s electronic medical record and in accordance with requirements set forth by APD, or other funding and regulatory agencies.
• Attend support meetings for participants as scheduled by the Assistant Manager of Employment Programs.
• Attend meetings and training offered by APD as assigned by the Assistant Manager of Employment Programs.
• Participate in professional development and training opportunities as assigned.
• Complete training required/offered by APD as a MedWaiver provider and additional training, as assigned.
• Adhere to HIPAA standards while collecting, storing, and sharing electronic personal health information
• Remain actively engaged supporting participants directly, modeling appropriate behaviors, and collaborating with community partners.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Developmental Disabilities, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in curriculum development for adults with autism and related developmental disabilities.
• Minimum of 2 years’ experience in community-based instruction for individuals with autism and related developmental disabilities
• Valid Florida Driver’s License. 

 Preferred:

• Training in Applied Behavior Analysis.
• PCM Trained
• Bilingual

Additional Requirements and Work Environment

Employment and Post Hire Training Requirements:

• Successfully complete two Level 2 Background Clearances, reference check & Pre-employment paperwork
• Successfully complete Els for Autism Foundation New Staff Training Modules to include HIPAA Awareness and Medical Safety Trainings

Professionalism:

• Dress code is comfortable business casual attire.
• Adherence to a high level of professional and ethical standards in accordance with ASHA
• Comply with Els for Autism and Els Design Group Brand Standards
• Display a high standard of integrity and conduct while serving as a representative and ambassador for the Els for Autism, its mission, and the vision of the Els family.

Work Environment:

• Work is normally performed in a typical classroom environment, on-campus, visually engineered vocational labs, and community-based locations.
• Responsible for transporting clients as needed to community-based locations.
• Required to sit, kneel, stand, or bend in support of clients’ needs.

This full time salaried non-exempt position supports our Work Experience Programs and is highly collaborative with a focus on programs for transition aged youths and adults with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities. This position will utilize evidence-based practices to plan and teach activities that enable participants to increase communication and pre-vocational skills in preparation for paid employment.

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

+ Conduct environmental assessment of worksite and develop visual and communication supports for program participants

+ Utilize evidence-based practices such as prompting and fading during skill acquisition, practice, and maintenance.

+ Create groupings and natural support systems to fit the needs of each participant

+ Collaborate with supervisor to conduct applicant interviews, situational assessments, and orientation.

+ Assist participants with resume writing, completing job applications, interviews, orientation and on the job support.

+ Collaborate with host worksite staff and management to ensure program fidelity.

+ Provide sensitivity training to employer partners and staff to ensure they learn effective strategies in supporting program participants

+ Serve as a liaison between participants, families, Foundation, and worksite staff.

+ Actively assist in acquiring paid employment leads in the community that fit the employment goals and needs of participants.

+ Support participants through completion of required assessments and daily progress notes.

Minimum qualifications:

+ Associate’s degree in education, Rehabilitation, Applied Behavior Analysis or related field

+ Minimum of two years of experience teaching/coaching individuals with ASD and other developmental disabilities

Responsibilities take place at the Els Center of Excellence or in community-based settings. Job may require a flexible schedule and may include some evening or weekend work.

Els for Autism is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Els for Autism is committed to fostering a safe and inclusive workplace, where diversity is valued and all individuals, regardless of background, identity, or ability, are respected and provided equal opportunities for success. To learn more, please visit elsforautism.org.