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Title: Autism Coaching Specialist - Northern Illinois

Division Name: Academic Affairs

Department: Special Education

Campus Location: Off Campus / Outside Central IL

Job Summary

The Autism Coach is directly responsible for providing expertise in the field of autism through the coordination and implementation of autism services for identified school teams participating in the A+ Project. The Autism Coach works collaboratively with project staff, educators, families, and community partners to provide professional learning, coaching, technical assistance, and resource development aligned with evidence‑based practices for students with ASD.

This position supports schools and educational teams in building sustainable systems and practices that improve educational outcomes for students with ASD through coaching, systems support, and collaborative planning.

The Autism Coaching Specialist partners with educators, administrators, and multidisciplinary school teams to strengthen educational systems that improve outcomes for autistic students and students with complex learning needs. Through professional learning, technical assistance, implementation support, and job‑embedded coaching, the Autism Coach assists schools in implementing evidence‑based practices with fidelity while building local capacity for sustainable systems improvement.

The Autism Coach develops and delivers professional learning in multiple formats, facilitates program assessments, supports collaborative action planning, creates implementation resources, and provides ongoing coaching using Behavior Skills Training, implementation science, and gradual release practices. Coaching focuses on strengthening instructional systems, communication supports, behavioral supports, inclusive practices, and educational programming through collaborative partnerships and continuous improvement.

Job Duties

• Coaching, Technical Assistance, and Systems Implementation:
  • Establish collaborative partnerships with assigned school entities and multidisciplinary teams.
  • Conduct APERS and ALCOT assessments to identify strengths, implementation needs, and priorities for improvement.
  • Facilitate Behavior Change Teams in reviewing assessment data, establishing goals, and developing action plans.
  • Provide job‑embedded coaching through classroom observations, instruction, modeling, rehearsal, performance feedback, collaborative problem solving, reflection, and gradual release.
  • Monitor implementation fidelity and support schools in sustaining evidence‑based practices.
  • Assist school teams in developing educational programming based on assessment findings, including supports related to communication, academics, functional skills, social‑emotional learning, interfering behavior, and function‑based behavior support.
  • Train multidisciplinary teams to conduct functional behavior assessments and develop prevention‑focused behavior intervention plans that promote student engagement, independence, communication, and participation.
  • Customize coaching and technical assistance based on Action Plan priorities and implementation data.
• Professional Learning Development and Delivery
• Design, develop, revise, and deliver professional learning through:
  • In‑person workshops, synchronous virtual trainings.
  • Self‑paced online learning modules.
  • Monthly office hours.
  • Virtual Communities of Practice.
  • Registered Behavior Technician training.
  • Illinois Experiential Practicum for Autism.
  • Conference presentations.
  • Utilize evidence‑based adult learning principles and Behavior Skills Training throughout professional learning activities.
• Resource Development
  • Develop, revise, and disseminate implementation guides, instructional materials, classroom tools, visual supports, communication supports, coaching resources, and professional learning materials.
  • Contribute resources to the APLUS website and online learning platform.
• Collaboration and Statewide Initiatives
  • Collaborate with statewide partners and technical assistance projects.
  • Participate in statewide conferences, exhibits, and dissemination activities.
  • Assist with planning and implementation of the annual Autism Conference.
  • Participate in IEPA planning and facilitation.
• Data, Documentation, and Grant Activities
  • Maintain coaching documentation and project records.
  • Monitor progress toward Action Plan goals.
  • Contribute to grant reporting and evaluation activities.
  • Complete additional project responsibilities necessary to achieve grant objectives.

Person who is

• Passionate about improving educational outcomes for autistic learners through evidence‑based practices and systems‑level change.
• Committed to building collaborative partnerships with educators, administrators, families, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Skilled at coaching adults using supportive, strengths‑based, and data‑informed practices.
• Comfortable facilitating professional learning in classrooms, conference settings, and virtual environments.
• Reflective, organized, adaptable, and committed to continuous professional growth.

Person who can

• Build collaborative partnerships with educators, administrators, families, and multidisciplinary school teams.
• Deliver engaging professional learning using evidence‑based adult learning principles.
• Design instructional materials, implementation resources, and professional learning content for multiple delivery formats.
• Conduct program assessments and facilitate collaborative action planning.
• Coach educators using Behaviour Skills Training, implementation science, modeling, guided practice, performance feedback, and gradual release.
• Support multidisciplinary teams in translating assessment information into effective educational programming.
• Develop sustainable systems that improve implementation fidelity across classrooms and schools.
• Utilize technology to support coaching, professional learning, communication, accessibility, and resource dissemination.
• Effectively manage multiple school partnerships while maintaining strong communication and documentation.

Additional Information

Illinois State University is authorized to do business within the State of Illinois. All work under this appointment is required to be performed from within the State of Illinois.

University Benefit Highlights:

• Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life.
• Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options.
• Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents.
• Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks.
• Paid benefit time.

Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed at https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$6,500.00 - $7,500.00 Monthly

Required Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in special education, psychology, behavior analysis, or a closely related field.
2. Minimum 5 years of experience teaching students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
3. Working knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and special education practices.
4. Leadership experience teaching or providing behavioral and academic support to school teams.
5. Knowledge of evidence‑based practices used with children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder who demonstrate challenging behaviors.
6. Training in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), classroom management strategies, individual behavior intervention plan development, data collection methods, and positive behavior support strategies.
7. Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
8. Ability to travel regionally, including occasional overnight travel.
9. Demonstrated experience working with diverse staff and student populations or commitment to do so as a staff member at Illinois State University.

Preferred Qualifications

• Board Certified Behavior Analyst or Masters in Applied Behavior Analysis.
• Prior experience delivering professional learning and coaching within school environments.

Work Hours

Typically, Monday–Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Some prolonged or irregular hours may be required to meet. Frequent regional day travel and occasional overnight travel required. Minimal weekend work may occur based on project needs. The role requires consistent travel to and between assigned school sites to provide embedded coaching aligned with school schedules.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:

1. Remain at workstation for extended periods.
2. Travel to schools, training sites, and off‑campus locations as required.
3. Effectively communicate verbally in writing on a daily basis.
4. Facilitate in‑person and virtual meetings, coaching sessions, and professional learning activities.

Proposed Starting Date

September 2026

Contact Information

Nikki Michalak
nakempe@ilstu.edu

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.