Program Facilitator

Giant Steps day school is hiring a Program Facilitator. The Program Facilitator serves as a key leader in empowering classrooms and multi-disciplinary teams to provide excellent, individualized instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders. This position will coordinate student needs in partnership with the district, family, multi-disciplinary team, and adult service providers and regularly interface with students and teams. Candidates who are passionate about equipping and empowering IEP team members, driving innovative programming for Transition-aged students, and navigating the day-to-day challenges of supporting individuals with autism should apply! Come work on a highly collaborative, student-centered team! Your leadership can make a difference!

Full time hours - Monday - Friday 7:45-3:45 during the regular school year and 7:45-1:45 during the summer. Five weeks of scheduled breaks throughout the school year in addition to Paid Time Off.

Benefits for full time employees include medical (BCBSIL), dental, vision, etc.
401k Retirement plan with an employer match
PTO; Partial Paid Maternity Leave
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Job Description
The Program Facilitator serves as a key leader in empowering classrooms and multi-disciplinary teams to provide excellent, individualized instruction for students with autism spectrum disorders. This position will coordinate student needs in partnership with the district and family and regularly interface with the classroom teacher, multi-disciplinary team, and provide student support.

Duties and Responsibilities

Supervise teachers and therapists

• Meet weekly or bi-weekly with professional staff for supervision
• Problem solve challenges related to student programming, scheduling and staffing
• Provide training and support to teachers on how lead their team and optimize student learning, engagement, and independence
• Participate in staff development and as needed, disciplinary action
• Facilitate Professional Growth Review conversations with supervisees focused on aligning with work performance with core organizational values

Student & Family Support

• Regularly provide support to team members (teacher, therapists, PAs) in various situations, including supporting students during educational and therapeutic service delivery, assisting team during student crisis situations, and troubleshooting situations in the moment
• Oversee support for families and students with complex needs
• Support team in designing appropriate interventions for students and families
• Assist team in coordinating care and services for students with multiple service providers
• Partner with districts to follow up on student specific needs (e.g., facilitate district observations, AT needs, transportation needs)
• Communicate with Sr Program Supervisor on student specific needs and continue to update with necessary information
• Attend regular meetings as possible with members of the multi-disciplinary team including classroom meetings and IEP development meetings
• Facilitate formal meetings on behalf of Giant Steps and sure meetings are properly documented (e.g., IEPs, Re-evaluations, Domain meetings)
• Ensure appropriate documentation is maintained as it relates to student needs and programming (including data on the use of restraint and seclusion)

Intake & Inclusion Processes

• Facilitate the process of intaking new students (including scheduling school visits, home visits, intake meetings, coordinating paperwork, and establishing initial student schedules and programming)
• Coordinate schedules, processes and supports available to students in inclusion settings including meeting with the inclusion PA on a regular basis and district staff as needed
• Oversee the transition process for students re-entering their home districts (including scheduling visits with the future team and coordinating re-integration schedule and logistics)
• Tour families and districts that are interested in learning more about the GS program

Staff Hiring and Development

• Collaborate with Sr Program Supervisor on hiring for teachers, therapists and other promoted non-exempt positions within the program
• Work with new staff on the floor to implement specific program interventions
• Create team-specific interventions to enhance the health of staff teams
• Connect staff to resources to support their ongoing professional development

Organizational Growth

• Engage in ongoing conversation about program development and evaluation with the program administration team both in their designated program area and across the building
• Model GS values and professionalism across the day serving as a leader on the floor, particularly when working directly with students and troubleshooting crisis situations (both in their designated program area and across the building)
• Empower staff members to increase and enhance the opportunities available to students (e.g., new vocational opportunities, new community outing sites, Prom, assemblies, Scouting events)
• Attend school-wide events as a representative of the GS Program Administrative leadership team
• Support the development of school-wide resources that support the mission, vision and values of the day school

The responsibilities listed above are representative and not all inclusive. Other duties may be assigned by supervisors.

Knowledge and Skills

• Passion for serving individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders
• High level of discretion respective to confidential information
• Discernment and level-headedness, particularly when under significant stress
• Solution oriented and able to resolve interpersonal conflict
• A consensus builder and team player with a collegial working style
• Positive approach to embracing change
• Demonstrated skills and a proven track record in effective implementation of results-driven initiatives
• Demonstrated ability to focus collaborative efforts on the achievement of identified outcomes within finite timeframes
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Ability to schedule and manage multiple tasks and priorities
• Excellent communication skills; oral and written; ability to influence and engage a wide range of individuals and build long-term relationships
• Flexible and able to multi-task; can work in an ambiguous, fast-paced environment, while also driving toward clarity and solutions; demonstrates resourcefulness

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required (Master’s degree strongly preferred) - education degree strongly preferred
• 2 or more years of professional experience in the field of autism or special education setting
• Interest in obtaining General Administrative License/Type 75 strongly preferred
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google processes

Classification
The Program Facilitator is an exempt position under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

Salary
Salary is commensurate with level of education and experience.
Starting Salary: $62,000.00/year

Calendar
The Program Facilitator follows the Program Administration calendar.

Conditions of Employment

• Pre-employment physical, drug screening, and criminal background check
• Possesses appropriate professional credentials
• Passing PCM training through Practitioner 2(PS) is a requirement of this position. Participation in PCM training and adherence to the Professional Crisis Management Association’s guidelines require at least average physical fitness. Any physical limitations or conditions that may impact one’s ability to participate in PCM training or PCM must be made known to Giant Steps upon application, as performance of various physical tasks is a bona fide occupational requirement of this position.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort

• Work is typically performed indoors within the school facility and offsite at community locations
• Moderate physical movement is required for the job
• Moderate exposure to physical risk is anticipated
• The noise level in this work environment varies from quiet to very loud.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is continually required to stand, walk, sit, run, squat, kneel, crawl, climb, balance, crouch, talk, hear, smell, and see. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Annual Performance Review

• An annual performance review will be conducted each spring by the Senior Program Supervisor.
• The Program Facilitator will complete a self-assessment of his/her performance and submit the self-assessment to his/her Supervisor two weeks prior to his/her annual review each spring.

Compensation Package
Giant Steps Illinois, Inc. provides a competitive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision coverage to all full time employees who work a minimum of 30 hours/week.

Affirmative Action Plan/Equal Employment Opportunity (AAP/EEO)
Giant Steps adheres to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We will not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis including: veteran status, disability, religion, race, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or FMLA related medical condition, height, weight, familial status, marital status and genetic information.

Disclaimer
This disclaimer is to acknowledge that it is highly probable that as an employee of Giant Steps Illinois, Inc., you are at risk of personal injury. Injuries may include, but are not limited to hitting, biting, kicking, scratching, and having hair pulled. The extent of some injuries may result in a break in the skin. All injuries must be documented according to the policies and procedures outlined in the Employee Handbook. Often, individuals are placed in this setting as a result of physical aggression or acting out behaviors that may prohibit them from participating in other environments. Our setting allows for these atypical behaviors. All employees are required to show proof of a Hepatitis B vaccination upon hire.

• Giant Steps Illinois, Inc. has the ability to review and change the job description when necessary.