Programs and Community Outreach Associate

ORGANIZATION FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

Programs and Community Outreach Associate

The Organization for Autism Research (OAR) is seeking a dynamic Programs and Community Outreach Associate to assist the Director, Programs and Community Outreach on all matters related to OAR's research and information programs, lead the effort to get OAR's resources into the hands of parents, teachers, and interested consumers in the autism community, and assist in developing new resources. This is a new position created to keep pace with the increasing demand for OAR's resources.

The Programs and Community Outreach Associate will report directly to the Director, Programs and Community Outreach, and work closely with the Executive Director as well. The position requires a person with an appreciation for research and evidence-based practice and the capacity to manage projects from conception to finished product. The ideal candidate is a confident, outgoing person with the ability to work with minimum supervision, a high level of organizational ability, a comfort level working with autism professionals and researchers, and excellent communication and computer skills. If you are looking to help OAR make a more significant impact within the autism community, this is the opportunity for you!

OAR is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to autism research. Our mission in brief is to "Raise money. Fund research. Change lives." You can read about the research we've funded on our Web site, www.researchautism.org. In addition to funding research, OAR provides evidence-based resources for parents, teachers, and other consumers in the autism community. Its future plans include expanded initiatives in the area of education, quality of life programs in support of adults with autism, and demonstration projects in the areas of education, housing, and employment.

The Programs and Community Outreach Associate will perform tasks in support of OAR's day-to-day programs activities to include:

Autism Information Program

1. Life Journey through Autism series. Distribution of resources, production of one new guide annually, and development of a plan for new guides and updates/revisions to existing resources.
2. Web site. Maintain and update research and programs content.
3. Newsletter. Serve on the editorial board, coordinate with newsletter editor on programs article, and publish the newsletter each month.
4. Research and Scholarship Programs. Provide administrative support for the Annual Applied Research Competition, Graduate Research Grants Program, and OAR Scholarship Program.
5. Military Families Initiative. Maintain and update the Operation Autism Web site, respond to questions from military families and moderate the blog and distribute Military Families guide.
6. Latino Outreach Program. Distribute resources upon request.
7. New Program Planning. Assist the Director in developing a proactive, forward-looking plan for delivering OAR's resources to consumers in the autism community.

Desired qualifications:

• B.A., B.S., or higher academic degree
• A track record of leadership and successful project and volunteer management
• Excellent oral and written communications
• Strong computer skills to include: Internet communications, social media, word processing, spreadsheets, and standard office administrative functions.

Plusses:

• Relevant experience with autism and autism intervention through academic study, work, or life experience,
• Knowledge of military organizations and supporting healthcare services and systems
• Fluency in written and oral Spanish language communications
• Successful fundraising or grant writing experience

Other responsibilities include: grant writing and representing OAR at conferences and other public forums.

The hiring range for this position is $28,000 to $32,000, negotiable based on experience, with considerable growth opportunity based on performance and success of the overall effort. OAR offers a group health and dental plan and OAR also covers the cost of parking and offers a 401K plan for eligible employees.