Assistant Director, College Transition Support

Saint Joseph's University•Philadelphia, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director of College Transitional Support is responsible for supporting the Kinney Center’s initiatives to support autistic individuals interested in pursuing higher education. Through this position, the assistant director will implement year-round transitional services through the PATH program (Preparing Autistic Teens for Higher Education) and PEERS social skills groups for teens and young adults. This position will also support initiatives with first year students in the ASPIRE program and Supported Residence Hall Program. This individual will support external relations through responsibilities related to case management services, training, and support for students, and will represent the Kinney Center both internally and externally.

Requirements

An earned Master’s degree in a related social science field (Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, Education, Health Services).
Minimum of 2 years experience working with individuals with autism and extensive knowledge in all aspects of Autism Spectrum Disorders, including how the symptoms and issues impact families and friends, the community, schools, service providers, those who pay for services, and autism policy makers.
Experience providing counseling or case management services.
Understanding of accommodations available in college setting.
Excellent communication skills (i.e. grammar, vocabulary) to be applied to group presentations, telephone communications, and to written communications such as email, letters, and memos.
Ability to function independently, be a creative thinker, and demonstrate strong compassion and support for those with autism and their families and friends.
Possess strong listening and counseling skills as well as effective problem solving and information gathering skills.
Time management and problem-solving skills are essential.
Literate in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Experience in education or higher education.

Responsibilities

Provide comprehensive support services to individuals with autism spectrum disorder participating in the Kinney Center’s college transition programs.
Develop individualized transition plans for participants in the Kinney Center’s college transition programs, in collaboration with the associate director of college support.
Assist with development of content and implementation of the College Preparation Programming (PATH Program - Preparing Autistic Teens for Higher Education).
Facilitate social skills groups for teens and young adults, based in evidence based UCLA PEERS program, in collaboration with the associate director of college support and Center leadership.
Provide transitional support for incoming first year ASPIRE students including assistance with admitted students days, orientation, early arrival programs, and summer support and preparation.
Personal communication, correspondence, and follow up (written, electronic, telephone) with prospective students, their families and guidance counselors.
Collaboration with the campus partners including, but not limited to, office of admissions, student success, disability services, residence life, and student support and wellness.
Provide Autism Spectrum Disorder trainings to Saint Joseph’s University faculty, staff, students and community members.
Collaboration with team members regarding the Peer Mentor Program including recruitment and training of peer mentors and supervision of graduate assistant.
Collaborate with team members regarding curriculum building for the ASPIRE Residence Hall.
Assist with management of community resource events including: evaluating prospective venues to share the Kinney Center’s mission and recruitment of SCHOLARS to staff events.
Attend University Admissions events, information sessions, conferences, and resource fairs on behalf of the Kinney Center.
Special event planning as needed including promotion, organization, and staffing.
Assist with marketing and ASD presentations to local venues and school systems.
Support and assist Saint Joseph’s University Admissions events to promote College Preparation and ASPIRE Programs.
Use the Kinney Center’s online application/portal to manage records and receive applicant files.
Assist with the review of program applicants and the acceptance/orientation process.
Assist with the creation and design of information that goes to families, therapists, teachers, autism service providers, schools, and the autism community on programs, education and training, and clinical services.
Assist with the creation and design of information that goes to federal and state organizations and private organizations with foundations for grants and/or donations.
Market programs to appropriate venues/organizations.
All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and Director of College Support.