Training and Technical Assistance Associate

Company: Virginia Jobs
Location: Richmond
Posted on: September 21, 2023

Job Description:

Mission or Goal of Unit:
The School of Education (SOE) is committed to excellence in the initial preparation and continuing development of professionals for leadership, teaching, service and scholarly inquiry in culturally diverse settings across the life span. Our mission and values are grounded in and committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and engagement.

VCU's Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) conducts advanced research and provides training and technical assistance with associated dissemination activities to improve the employment outcomes of individuals with significant disabilities.

Chief Purpose of this position: The chief purpose of this position is to fulfill the commitments of the VCU Autism Center for Education (VCU-ACE) to the participating school divisions in contractual partnerships with VCU-ACE, as well as the Virginia Department of Education.

VCU-ACE mission: VCU-ACE improves services and supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by promoting the implementation of research-based practices in schools and the community through training, technical assistance, research, and collaboration.

Training includes providing professional development to expand the expectations, knowledge, and skills of those who live with, educate, and support individuals with ASD. It supports the sustainable implementation of research-based practices by providing instructional activities and resources to anyone who wants to learn more about ASD and to leaders who guide professional development initiatives in home, school, community and work.

Technical assistance includes facilitating, implementing, and evaluating systems-change initiatives customized to stakeholders' unique needs in educational and community environments, regions, and the Commonwealth. It supports the sustainable implementation of research-based practices by providing team facilitation, coaching, strategic planning, and project management in agencies, school divisions, and direct services settings to build the confidence capacity of those supporting individuals with ASD.

The research includes asking questions, seeking answers, and disseminating findings on important socially significant issues impacting individuals with ASD across the lifespan to improve quality of life. Research is conducted using sound real-world settings using sound research methodologies.

The collaboration includes maintaining a spirit of cooperation in our interactions with colleagues and developing and sustaining partnerships with individuals with ASD and their families and local, commonwealth, and national entities to enrich, develop, disseminate, and deliver training, technical assistance, and research activities.

Position Responsibilities: Teaching: Provide regional training support to designated division liaisons on research-based content and on-the-job coaching in behavior assessment and intervention applications within the public school setting; Develop online training coursework to provide statewide training opportunities on critical topic areas; Facilitate online courses.
Service: Provide regional technical assistance to comprehensive public schools and school divisions to increase capacity and improve services for students with ASD across the age range; coach division-level staff in the implementation of evidence-based practices for individuals with ASD; assist public schools and school divisions in developing systems change plans for improving services to students with ASD; participate in planning and implementing regional Communities of Leaders in Autism for multiple school divisions; develop and deliver targeted training in multiple live and online formats; coordinate and collaborate with statewide stakeholders on the development of additional products to meet the needs of students with ASD across the state.
Research: Assist with data collection and research development related to the goals of the Autism Center for Education (ACE); Support ACE by writing research briefs, manuals, and training materials.
Clinical: Provide consultative and coaching services to school division personnel regarding implementing evidence-based practices and behavior analysis in regional partnerships. Board certification and state licensure in behavior analysis are preferred.Other (for instance, administrative duties, etc.): Maintain excellent communication with supervisor, co-workers, and external staff through written and verbal communication, complete documentation of time for data collecting and reporting, respond to requests for information in a timely manner through electronic communication, and other means; complete additional projects as assigned to support the Autism Center for Education's work in local and statewide service improvement plans and statewide goals.

Note to Applicants: This is a 12-month grant-funded position.

Required Qualifications: Master's degree in education, psychology, behavior analysis, or a related field and equivalent training.
Holds BCBA - certification and state licensure, and is active, in good standing with both the national and state boards.
Extensive knowledge of evidence-based practices used with children and adolescents with disabilities who have challenging behaviors.
At least three years of experience delivering systematic personnel training and technical assistance within a public school setting
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Experience developing and implementing live or online training and education in autism.
Ability to travel regionally and overnight .
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications:
Prior experience in teaching or administration in public school systems.
Prior experience in conducting behavior analytic assessments and interventions in public schools.

Additional Information:
When deciding where to work, VCU is a great choice because of the career opportunities, a wide variety of benefits available to you and your family, a generous leave package that can be used how you see fit, various discounts within the community and a diverse and inclusive culture that wants to promote your well-being. Details can be found here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/faculty-benefits/.

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