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Title: Autism Professional Learning & Universal Supports (A+) Program Administrator
Employee Classification: Spon Proj Admin
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: College of Education
Department: Special Education
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

The Program Administrator position plays a critical leadership role in fulfilling the commitments of the Autism Professional Learning and Universal Supports (A+) Project to school teams across Illinois. Working collaboratively with the Statewide Director, project staff, and statewide partners, the Program Administrator helps ensure that all professional learning, coaching, technical assistance, and resources delivered through the A+ project are high-quality, evidence-based, accessible, and aligned with the needs of educators who support autistic learners.

Additional Information

The Autism Professional Learning and Universal Supports (A+) Project at Illinois State University partners with the Illinois State Board of Education to improve outcomes for autistic and neurodivergent students statewide. Through a comprehensive approach encompassing professional learning, technical assistance, coaching, and collaboration, A+ works closely with school teams to enhance their capacity to effectively support students with ASD. A+ partners with school entities to:

● Provide tiered-level of supports to address the specific needs of each school entity. This approach ensures that schools receive the appropriate level of support to improve services and outcomes for students with autism.
● Promote proactive approaches while working with students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to reduce the use of time-out and restraint in Illinois schools.
● Build local capacity to increase program quality and enhance the fidelity of implementation of evidence-based practices for children and youth with ASD.
● Increase the percentage of students (who qualify for services under the eligibility of autism) who are educated in the general education classroom.
● Increase meaningful involvement by families in their children’s education.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate

$9,500 - $10,000/mo

Benefit Information

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 here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/ 
 

Required Qualifications

1. Master’s degree in special education, psychology, behavior analysis, speech language pathology, or a closely related field and/or equivalent training.
2. Extensive knowledge of autism spectrum disorder and evidence-based practices that support learners with diverse behavioral, communication, and sensory needs.
3. Demonstrated capacity to lead teams or guide complex initiatives, including the ability to support statewide coaching systems and coordinate high-quality implementation across diverse educational contexts.
4. Experience coaching educators, delivering professional learning, or providing school-based technical assistance that strengthens systems-level supports for autistic learners.
5. Strong skills in relationship-building and collaboration, with the ability to engage educators, administrators, families, and statewide partners in a supportive, respectful, and solution-focused manner.
6. Excellent communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts clearly, listen deeply, provide constructive feedback, and engage in reflective dialogue.
7. Experience using assessment and instructional tools commonly applied with autistic learners (e.g., VB-MAPP, EFL, Vineland, PEAK, ABLLS, AFLS), or willingness to learn and apply them in support of coaching systems.
8. Demonstrated ability to use data to inform decision-making, including interpreting program evaluation results, guiding action planning, and supporting progress monitoring across multiple school teams.
9. Ability to use digital tools and technology platforms to support coaching, professional learning, accessibility, and communication (e.g., Microsoft Office, Zoom, LMS systems).
10. Ability and willingness to travel statewide (2–3 days/week, with occasional overnights).

Preferred Qualifications

1. BCBA® certification, and if active, in good standing with the BACB.
2. Prior experience in school administration, special education leadership, or statewide technical assistance.
3. Experience developing multi-format professional learning, including online modules, workshops, and VCoPs.
4. Experience using or supporting program evaluation tools.
5. Experience designing accessible digital content or working within systems that align to WCAG compliance.
6. Experience coordinating complex projects, managing deliverables, or supporting grant implementation.

Work Hours

Generally M-F 8-4:30; day travel 2-3 days/week; some overnight travel

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

1/12/2026

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter
Reference List (at least three professional preferences)

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Optional Applicant Documents

Please Note: These documents may be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Special Instructions for Applicants

Contact Information for Applicants

Nikki Michalak
nakempe@ilstu.edu

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

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.