What are the responsibilities and job description for the Autism Specialist (BCBA) - Intensive Support Center - 2025-26 School Year position at Albemarle County Public Schools and Local...?
Albemarle County Public Schools
Special Education - Charlottesville, Virginia
Job Details
Job ID:4947491Application Deadline:Posted until filled
Posted:Jan 21, 2025
Starting Date:To Be Determined
Job Description
Autism Specialist
Intensive Support Center
2025-26 School Year
Certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and a license as a Behavior Analyst with the Virginia Department of Health Professions is required. BCaBA licensure will be considered as well. See full job description below for details.
Teach • Lead • Inspire
Be an educator in Albemarle County Public Schools
Are you looking to work in a school division where students are engaged in authentic, challenging, and relevant learning experiences, becoming lifelong contributors and leaders in our dynamic and diverse society? Then look no further!
In Albemarle County Public Schools, we work together as a team to end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children’s success through high-quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds. We will know every student!
We are the first public school division in Virginia, and among the first in the country, to develop and implement an Anti-Racism policy with the expressed purpose of building school communities that share the responsibility to recognize and end racism, eliminate inequitable practices that result in achievement gaps, and support the unique gifts, talents, and interests of every child. In ACPS, “all” really means all.
Who We’re Looking For
Teachers and Specialists are essential to achieving our goals of Thriving Students, Affirming and Empowering Communities, and Equitable, Transformative Resources.
Our ideal candidates are:
- Innovative, self-reflective, collaborative, knowledgeable in their content area and instructional practices, and are continually growing and improving
- Passionate about closing equity and achievement gaps
- Prepared to engage with our Culturally Responsive Teaching model in support of our Equity Mission Statement
Why Work in Our Schools
Here are just a few reasons why both new and experienced educators choose to join our team:
- Strong instructional support and mentoring from our building administrators, instructional coaches, learning technology integrators, diversity resource teachers, and equity specialists
- A wide range of professional development opportunities, including our New Teacher Academy and many other learning experiences held throughout the year for new and experienced teachers
- Competitive pay and benefits, including health & dental coverage, retirement, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, wellness program, discounts on gym memberships, and more
- The opportunity to work in a close-knit, supportive community where you can continue to grow as a professional
Be sure to check out our website to learn more about our Division and our Schools. You can read the full job description here.
Location
Situated around beautiful Charlottesville, Virginia – which is consistently ranked among America’s top university towns and best places to live – Albemarle County is nestled in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Shenandoah National Park. Just 100 miles south of Washington, DC and 70 miles west of Richmond, it’s only a short trip to the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic beaches, and New York is an easy Amtrak ride away. Whether it’s the great outdoors, a vibrant and diverse arts, food, and culture scene, or small town living with a big city feel, our part of Central Virginia has something for everyone.
The Application Process
Are you ready to join the ACPS Team and engage our learners in becoming lifelong contributors and leaders in our dynamic and diverse society? If so, then follow these steps to apply:
STEP 1: Click Apply for this Position at the top right of this page. This will add your application to the candidate pool for this position.
STEP 2: You will receive an email invitation to complete a short online assessment to help us learn more about your strengths as an educator. Instructions will be included in the email. If you've already taken this assessment within the past three years, you do not need to complete it again.
STEP 3: Continue to check our Jobs page frequently as new positions are added throughout the spring and summer. You need to apply for each specific position that you are interested in. Jobs are listed chronologically by posting date, but you can search by categories or by keywords like “teacher” or “counselor”, and you can also sign up for weekly email alerts.
STEP 4: Our school principals and assistant principals will review your application and will contact you directly if they would like to schedule an interview. Time frames vary depending on the position and time of year.
Qualifications: Candidates for this position must hold or be eligible for a Virginia teaching certificate with endorsement in School Counseling. More information can be found on the VDOE website.
Questions? Email HR@k12albemarle.org
Full Job Description:
General Definition of Work:
The Autism Specialist provides support services to identify needs and assist with program development, consultation with school personnel for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and acts as a facilitator for classroom teachers in the implementation and evaluation of interventions and instruction for students with ASD. The Autism Specialist shall: demonstrate knowledge of the principles, practices, trends and theories pertaining to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and their treatment; possess the knowledge of assessment, interventions, and diagnostic techniques, procedures and methods; have the ability to work with teachers, teaching assistants, related service staff and transportation staff at varying levels of expertise; and advance the knowledge base of administration, instructional and support staff regarding successful teaching and intervention methods for students with ASD.
Essential Functions:
- Provides technical assistance and consultation to school personnel, parents and others concerning the planning, developing and providing academic, social, adaptive and inclusive programming for students with ASD;
- Develops, manages and provides a professional development program for school staff that meets State requirements and identified internal needs identified for appropriate programs for student with Autism; Conducts in-service training for instructional staff regarding instructional strategies, best practices, and specific instructional topics;
- Assists eligibility teams with the administration and analysis of evaluations and assessments of children suspected of having ASD and, as a result, may require special education and related services;
- Provides consultative services for leading school division efforts in the formulation, monitoring and implementation of an Individual Education Program (IEP) for students with ASD;
- Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with supervisors, parents, school division personnel, community based agencies, and other professionals working in the field of Autism;
- Deals effectively with parents, students, staff and other educational professionals regarding instructional needs, concerns or problems of the student and school division;
- Assists in curriculum development, implementation, and revision;
- Ensures adequate materials, equipment, and supplies for the operation of the division's autism instructional program;
- Analyzes and interprets achievement data; and works with lead teachers/administrative staff to design activities to raise student achievement;
- Serves as a facilitator for Virginia Alternative Assessment Program (VAAP);
- Conducts student observations to help determine program eligibility and placement;
- Participates in parent/teacher conferences as needed;
- Observes classrooms on a regular basis to ensure consistency of instruction;
- Applies and prepares all referrals needed for students who require services outside the public school system;
- Coordinates needed services for students each year for summer school and Extended School Year in all three levels;
- Demonstrates a thorough understanding of current trends and theories pertaining to ASD;
- Manages and maintains budget for Autism program;
- Interprets state and federal regulations governing special education and ensures compliance in assigned functional areas;
- Assists the human resources department with interviewing and recommending qualified candidates for special education instructional positions;
- Demonstrates an understanding of planning and objective measurement methods pertaining to the IEP;
- Represents the school division in educational projects and initiatives at the local, regional, state, and national levels;
- Models nondiscriminatory practices in all activities;
- Performs any other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Must possess demonstrated evidence of involvement in school activities and committees involving leadership responsibilities beyond those required in the classroom. Must possess an in-depth knowledge of autism curriculum, instructional best practices, and learning theory. Must possess effective instructional delivery techniques and the ability to guide and train teachers in effective techniques and strategies. Must possess excellent organizational and communication skills, both verbally and in writing with students, staff, parents and agency personnel. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with teachers, parents, administrators, advocates, students and others. Knowledge of current methods and techniques of applied behavior analysis, discrete trial training; ability to analyze student performance, design appropriate individual behavior programs, and monitor student progress; coordinate work of instructional assistants, support personnel; work effectively as a team member.
Education and Experience:
Certification as a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and a license as a Behavior Analyst with the Virginia Department of Health Professions is required. BCaBA licensure will be considered as well. A master’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university and a minimum of five years of experience working with children with disabilities in a public or private school setting is required. A minimum of 3 years of those 5 years of experience must be working with children with autism and their families. Knowledge of positive behavior interventions, functional analysis procedures, and currently accepted educational methodology for students with autism preferred. Experience designing, implementing and monitoring individual educational programs to students with autism using discrete trial methodology preferred; experience providing staff development training to classroom personnel preferred; endorsement as a special education teacher, school psychologist or school social worker is desirable.
Physical Conditions and Nature of Work Contacts:
Duties performed typically in school settings to include; classroom, gym, cafeteria, auditorium and recreational areas. Employees in this position will be required to work in indoor and outdoor environments, travel between school sites across the school division and come in direct contact with Albemarle County staff, students, district staff, and the public. Employees in this position must have the ability to: Sit for extended periods of time; Enter data into a computer terminal/typewriter, operate standard office equipment, and use a telephone; See and read a computer screen and printed matter with or without vision aids; Hear and understand speech at normal levels and on the telephone; Speak so that others may understand at normal levels and on the telephone; Stand, walk, and bend over, reach overhead, grasp, push, pull and move, lift and/or carry up to 25 pounds to waist height.
Evaluation:
Performance will be evaluated on the ability and effectiveness in carrying out the above responsibilities.
Positions Available:1
Job Categories:
Special Education > Autism
Special Education > Behavior Specialist / EBD
Student Services > Psychologist
Job Requirements
- Bachelor degree preferred.
- Citizenship, residency or work visa required
Contact Information
Email:
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