What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director Project ACCESS-Autism Program Specialist position at Missouri State University?
Position Information
Position Title
Director Project ACCESS-Autism Program Specialist
Work Location
Springfield Campus
Department
COE Administration
HR Home Department
020400 COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
Pay Grade
45
Proposed Salary
$65,000-$75,000/annual
Sponsorship Information
Applicants must be currently authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States on a full-time basis. This position is not eligible for work visa sponsorship.
Position only available to current, regular, full-time Missouri State University employees?
No, Position is available to all applicants.
Appointment Type
Full Time Regular
Exempt/Non-Exempt
Exempt
General Function
The Director for Project ACCESS also serves as an Autism Program Specialist and is responsible for the coordination of activities and continued identification of program activities and project priorities and exercises managerial responsibilities for the Project ACCESS office. The Director, in collaboration with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, develops the contract proposal which supports the continuation and funding of the Project ACCESS effort, develops programs for training for public school educators, and provides consultation services to public school personnel regarding educational programs for students with autism. As the Autism Program Specialist, the Director serves as an advisor to the State of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education regarding students with autism. This position is funded by IDEA-Part B and administered through the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Division of Special Education.
Description of Primary Duties
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Develops the practices and CCESS contract including aligning effort with the funding mandate, innovating new programs and activities, operationalizing these by defining staff scopes of work, negotiating funding levels and contract activities in collaboration with the state department of education, informing the contract through researching evidence-based intervention strategies that align with best practices, and preparing and delivering the contract in a timely manner.
2. Assists school districts in meeting federal and state requirements for providing a free and appropriate public education to students with autism by training school personnel in key areas, including: eligibility determination for special education under the autism category, conducting functional behavior assessments for disciplinary procedures, developing legally defensible educational programs, and designing and evaluating social communication and behavior goals using research-based strategies.
3. Leads the planning, coordination, and delivery of professional development for public school personnel through various formats—including online in-person, hybrid, and expert-led sessions—focused on networking, problem-solving, and targeted skill-building.
4. Manages a dynamic learning catalog utilizing asynchronous and synchronous technologies, such as learning management systems and web conferencing tools.
5. Continuously evaluates program effectiveness using data and feedback to ensure alignment with best-practice instructional design and contract requirements.
6. Administers an educational program which allows participants to earn academic credit, in conjunction with in-service training workshops, by developing a curriculum, scheduling related activities, and serving as the professor for students enrolled in the prescribed college course when necessary.
7. Manages the Project ACCESS budgets by planning and developing a project budget that provides for execution of contract deliverables.
8. Collaborates with the University’s financial services department to prepare quarterly invoices for the department of education. Monitors budgets to ensure that expenditures align with activities, are appropriate, and do not exceed budgeted amounts.
9. Participates in reporting and auditing, as necessary.
10. Oversees project staffing by leading recruitment efforts, including job searches, candidate vetting, and onboarding. Provide staff with targeted professional development in tools and practices for delivering training, resources, and services. Communicates policies aligned with agency and university standards, define scopes of work, and supervise and evaluate staff performance.
11. Provides advice to the State of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as to appropriate strategies for educating students with autism by serving as a resource professional for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Section of Special Education.
12. Promotes an awareness of the project activities and services available through Project ACCESS by creating, maintaining, and executing a marketing plan that includes the use of social media, electronic mail campaigns, list servs, marketing videos, and a Project website.
13. Present professional development topics at conferences, conduct educational/informational programs, writes public service announcements and news releases, and participates in media interviews.
14. Manages the daily operations of the Project ACCESS office by establishing activity priorities, goals, and objectives, determining resource allocations, assigning activity responsibilities, and evaluating progress toward achievement of established goals and objectives.
15. Contributes to the overall success of Project ACCESS by performing other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.
2. Assists school districts in meeting federal and state requirements for providing a free and appropriate public education to students with autism by training school personnel in key areas, including: eligibility determination for special education under the autism category, conducting functional behavior assessments for disciplinary procedures, developing legally defensible educational programs, and designing and evaluating social communication and behavior goals using research-based strategies.
3. Leads the planning, coordination, and delivery of professional development for public school personnel through various formats—including online in-person, hybrid, and expert-led sessions—focused on networking, problem-solving, and targeted skill-building.
4. Manages a dynamic learning catalog utilizing asynchronous and synchronous technologies, such as learning management systems and web conferencing tools.
5. Continuously evaluates program effectiveness using data and feedback to ensure alignment with best-practice instructional design and contract requirements.
6. Administers an educational program which allows participants to earn academic credit, in conjunction with in-service training workshops, by developing a curriculum, scheduling related activities, and serving as the professor for students enrolled in the prescribed college course when necessary.
7. Manages the Project ACCESS budgets by planning and developing a project budget that provides for execution of contract deliverables.
8. Collaborates with the University’s financial services department to prepare quarterly invoices for the department of education. Monitors budgets to ensure that expenditures align with activities, are appropriate, and do not exceed budgeted amounts.
9. Participates in reporting and auditing, as necessary.
10. Oversees project staffing by leading recruitment efforts, including job searches, candidate vetting, and onboarding. Provide staff with targeted professional development in tools and practices for delivering training, resources, and services. Communicates policies aligned with agency and university standards, define scopes of work, and supervise and evaluate staff performance.
11. Provides advice to the State of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as to appropriate strategies for educating students with autism by serving as a resource professional for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Section of Special Education.
12. Promotes an awareness of the project activities and services available through Project ACCESS by creating, maintaining, and executing a marketing plan that includes the use of social media, electronic mail campaigns, list servs, marketing videos, and a Project website.
13. Present professional development topics at conferences, conduct educational/informational programs, writes public service announcements and news releases, and participates in media interviews.
14. Manages the daily operations of the Project ACCESS office by establishing activity priorities, goals, and objectives, determining resource allocations, assigning activity responsibilities, and evaluating progress toward achievement of established goals and objectives.
15. Contributes to the overall success of Project ACCESS by performing other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Minimum Acceptable Qualifications
Education: A master’s degree is required, with an emphasis in Special Education or a closely related area. An equivalent combination of years of experience and education may be considered for substitution of educational requirements.
Experience: At least five years of responsible experience at a Missouri public school, Project ACCESS, the Missouri State Department of Education, or at another agency in a role that primarily serves schools in their capacity to support students on the autism spectrum.
Skills: Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
Additional Qualifications
Link to Job Description
http://www.missouristate.edu/human/jobdescriptions/2544.htm
Open Date
03/02/2026
Close Date (If Close Date is blank then the posting is considered open until filled)
Special Instructions to Applicants
The first date of consideration is March 30. 2026, and review of applications will continue until the position is filled.
Please attach an unofficial transcript to your application. Please note that documents that contain passwords, digital signatures, and other artifacts such as watermarks may not convert properly. If your document contains any of these items, please print and scan the document, then upload the scanned version to your application. Official transcripts required at time of hire.
Please attach an unofficial transcript to your application. Please note that documents that contain passwords, digital signatures, and other artifacts such as watermarks may not convert properly. If your document contains any of these items, please print and scan the document, then upload the scanned version to your application. Official transcripts required at time of hire.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Non-Discrimination Statement
Missouri State University is a community of people with respect for diversity. The University emphasizes the dignity and equality common to all persons and adheres to a strict non-discrimination policy regarding the treatment of individual faculty, staff, and students. In accord with federal law and applicable Missouri statutes, the University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin (including ancestry, or any other subcategory of national origin recognized by applicable law), religion, sex (including marital status, family status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other subcategory of sex recognized by applicable law), age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law in employment or in any program or activity offered or sponsored by the University. Sex discrimination encompasses sexual harassment, which includes sexual violence, and is strictly prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.
This policy shall not be interpreted in a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
The University maintains a grievance procedure incorporating due process available to any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against. Missouri State University is an Equal Opportunity employer. Inquiries concerning the complaint/grievance procedure related to discrimination on the basis of a protected class, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, or compliance with federal and state laws and guidelines, should be addressed to the Director, Office for Institutional Compliance, Carrington Hall 205, 901 S. National Ave., Springfield, Missouri 65897, Compliance@MissouriState.edu, 417-836-4252
Background Check Statement
Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense.
Posting Detail
Posting Number
20260038FTS
Quicklink for Posting
https://jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/85029
Salary : $65,000 - $75,000