Description

Founded in 2004, HANDS in Autism® serves as a global training and resource center, operating since 2013 as an auxiliary (or small business) under Indiana University. The Center builds "local capacity" by helping autistic individuals and their families navigate services, emphasizing a person-centered approach that highlights individual and family strengths. Known for its motto "Essential for autism, beneficial for all," HANDS' behavioral, educational and evidence-based practices and principles extend beyond autism across a wide range of disabilities and broader communities. The team collaborates across schools, homes, medical, justice, and community settings to promote successful, responsive outcomes to build local capacity. Through outreach, training, and systems-level facilitation as well as a community-engaged research focus, HANDS remains agile in addressing community and statewide needs. Learn more about HANDS in Autism® and watch an overview video .

Job Summary

With a team infrastructure that balances content expertise and data specialists in a side-by-side fashion, Training Specialists provide direct programming, training, education, consultation, and support for individuals, families, and providers, that complements the data-driven, community-informed philosophy and approach of the HANDS Center. HANDS Training Specialists split their effort proportionally between (1) training and education, and (2) programming and resource navigation, with (3) Innovation in Implementation at the foundation of HANDS ongoing work and both the Center and your ongoing development.
Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Reports to HANDS leadership and serve among dynamic project teams centered on (1) education and training and (2) programming and resource navigation.
• Serves to optimize understanding, application and implementation of evidence-based practices for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and related mental health, behavioral health and neurodevelopmental disabilities, and the many who serve and support such individuals.
• Conducts of ongoing HANDS workshops and intensive trainings to a range of audiences and stakeholders;
• Contributes to and maintain needed procedures, accessible materials and applicable supports that assist both the HANDS team and those participating in HANDS trainings with optimal readiness and engagement for events
• Develops and implements of schedules and materials (e.g., art/crafts, jobs, academic, movement, sensory) for the campers and individuals (e.g., early childhood, school-aged, transition-aged) who participate in HANDS intensive trainings as part of the hands-on classroom and work experiences respectively
• Develops of training materials and conduct of trainings in response to training requests as they align with applicable evidence-based practices and the settings of requesting audiences (e.g., schools, colleges and universities, medical settings, communities, families)
• Contributes to the update and development of tools used to support implementation of evidence-based practices that are available through the HANDS website and store
• Writes and contributes to HANDS newsletters, online communities and weekly practical pointers as part of storytelling and applicable community outreach, education and training.
• Carries out assessments, inform goals, and facilitate ongoing data monitoring for referred individuals and/or collaborative sites
• Develops and provides intervention and programming services for referred individuals and/or module-based learning for collaborative sites
• Provides a range of consultation and direct services at the site (e.g., collaborative site, Center, HANDSmade partnering site) as well as in the community (e.g., home, school, work, intensive treatment settings) as applicable
• Allocates time to support Ask-Learn-Share Open Office Hours or Learning Lab reservations as applicable as part of HANDS offerings and availability as a community resource
• Supports resource exploration and navigation for internal and external partners and teams
• Develops and supports ongoing updates to tools, basic resource sheets and learning materials to referred individuals across the lifespan
• Tracks notes and interactions, record correspondence and/or communicate with HANDS administrative support, operational, and research/data teams
• Communicates and provides timely reports to caregivers, referral sources and providers.
• Supports of partnered projects across local, regional, State or other funded efforts, as applicable;
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for ongoing updates to or new development of materials as part of ongoing or new projects
• Works with HANDS leadership to openly share about areas of interest, ideas, and needs that optimize one's work and development.

General Responsibilities

• Serves as liaison to key stakeholders in public and private sectors on partnership opportunities advancing institutional initiatives.
• Initiates and maintains frequent interactions with relevant partners ensuring strong collaborative relationships and focus.
• Develops knowledge of issues and needs of initiatives, programs, and partners to make appropriate connections with university and external resources.
• Serves as a community resource facilitating programs, providing technical assistance, and ensuring communication to optimize project outcomes.
• Collaborates with university and external partners to identify funding needs and potential sources; participates in developing external funding proposals with education and outreach component.
• Communicates partner expectations with unit leadership to assist in operationalizing project outcomes; collaborates in the timely delivery of logistical, budgetary, and support functions.
• Determines and tracks key project metrics and assists in analysis and report development.
• May provide guidance to lower-level Institutional Advancement Consultants.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION
Required

• Bachelor's degree in related field

Preferred

• Master's degree in special education, psychology, social work, or a related mental health, behavioral health or service field

WORK EXPERIENCE
Required

• 2 years experience in outreach, engagement, public relations, or related field

Preferred

• 1 year experience working with individuals with disabilities or serving in a related manner of supporting families, caregivers or providers in their work with individuals

LICESNSES AND CERTIFICATES
Preferred

• Hold a license or be license eligible in the applicable field (e.g., education, behavior analysis, social work)
• Posses a valid drivers license with the ability to be insured by Indiana University

SKILLS
Required

• Proficient communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Ability to represent the company with external constituents
• Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
• Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
• Highly thorough and dependable

Preferred

• Positive, strength-based perspective on the individuals, families and providers HANDS serves
• Life-long learning mindset with interest in setting goals as a team and personally that help in outreach, training, education and programming delivery
• Theoretical understanding and philosophical appreciation for team and community interventions
• A valid driver's license with clean driving record given associated travel
• Interest in acquiring an intermediate subject-matter expertise in topical areas aligned with the HANDS Model (learn more and watch an overview vide o) and HANDS Center efforts'
• Knowledge of basic software programs, including spreadsheet and word processing software and virtual conferencing
• Ability to conceptualize and organize project planning processes under moderate supervision
• High degree of personal initiative and independence in identifying and suggesting ways to improve programs and offerings in furtherance of HANDS mission, vision and strategic goals
• Works as a team player
• Maintains accurate and organized records
• Manages multiple tasks and deadlines with ability to stay focused and organized in carrying out responsibilities
• Presents professionally
• Writes and communicates clearly among colleagues and the many groups HANDS serves
• Thinks clearly under pressure and make appropriate judgments
• Supports and helps difficult clients/families/consumers
• Maintains confidentiality while upholding the dignity and ethics of our fields

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure .

Job Classification

Career Level: Career
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Development & Advancement
Job Family: Institutional Advancement
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Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
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Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .

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