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Posting Details

Position Information

Position Title Director, ASCEND, West Plains

Work Location West Plains Campus

Department West Plains ASCEND

HR Home Department 040406 WP STUDENT SERVICES

Pay Grade 43

Proposed Salary $54,500 – $56,238 Annually, grant-funded

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, ASCEND – WP manages the Autism Support Can Empower New Directions ( ASCEND ), an inclusive college program for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD ) or other similar neurodiverse diagnosis who are transitioning out of high school. The Director, ASCEND researches and develops guidelines, processes, policies, and curricula used for ASCEND . The Director, ASCEND creates awareness and markets ASCEND on and off campus, collaborates with departments and divisions on campuses in partnership with the Office of Academic Affairs, builds relationships with local businesses, and manages the ASCEND website, social media accounts, and marketing materials.

Description of Primary Duties

Position is grant funded and contingent upon continued funding.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develops, implements, operates, and evaluates the ASCEND strategic plan, program, eligibility, and application criteria for recruitment and admission of students to the Autism Transition Program.

2. Raises funds for the ASCEND annual needs and private scholarships through obtaining grants, crowdfunding campaigns, and/or private donors in collaboration with Missouri State Advancement; applies for and manages the Comprehensive Transition Program ( CTP ) with the U.S. Department of Education in collaboration with the Office of Student Financial Aid; and manages and oversees accounts utilized for the operation of ASCEND .

3. Trains and supervises the ASCEND staff, recruits and coordinates student mentors, and oversees recruitment, training, and implementation of volunteer support for ASCEND students.

4. Markets the ASCEND program to raise awareness on campus, throughout south-central Missouri and beyond by managing and updating the ASCEND website and social media accounts and utilizing other marketing materials. Travel is often required to promote the program throughout the area and state.

5. Collaborates with departments and divisions on campus to provide support for students in ASCEND , creates training workshops for faculty on accessibility, Universal Design for Learning, and inclusion for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder in partnership with the Office of Academic Affairs.

6. Develops and identifies the curricula used for the ASCEND program support sessions by researching best practices for postsecondary education programs across the country.

7. Builds partnerships with local businesses to provide internship possibilities for students in ASCEND and provides career support to students graduating and six months post-graduation from ASCEND .

8. Develops and leads the ASCEND advisory board and provides program updates to major administrators and the Board of Governors as requested.

9. Reports satisfactory academic progress ( SAP ) to the Office of Student Financial Aid and maintains academic standards for all students in ASCEND .

10. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as directed by the supervisor.

11. Supports the overall success of Missouri State University-West Plains by performing all other duties as assigned.

Minimum Acceptable Qualifications

Education: A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred.

Experience: At least one year of experience working with individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder is required; two years is preferred. Experience working with advocacy agencies and organizations tied to programming or vocational goal development is preferred. Experience working with programs in education is required; experience in higher education is preferred. Experience supervising individuals within an office operation is preferred. Experience overseeing a budget which includes personnel and operating costs is preferred.

Skills: Excellent communication skills is preferred. Knowledge of grant writing is preferred. An understanding of strategic planning, project management, and marketing is preferred. Knowledge of web maintenance is preferred.

Additional Qualifications

Link to Job Description https://www.missouristate.edu/Human/JobDescriptions/2434-director-autism-transition-program-wp.htm

Open Date 05/06/2025

Close Date (If Close Date is blank then the posting is considered open until filled)

Special Instructions to Applicants

First date of consideration is May 27, 2025. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Position is grant funded through June 30, 2026 and contingent upon continued funding.

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, [email protected], 417-836-4252.

Background Check Statement

Employment will require a criminal background check at University expense.

Posting Detail

Posting Number 20250087FTS

Quicklink for Posting https://jobs.missouristate.edu/postings/81537

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

+ * Please specify the recruitment source where you located this posting. If you selected Employee Referral above, please list the name of the current MSU employee who referred you.

(Open Ended Question)

+ * Are you a current full-time regular Missouri State University employee?

+ Yes, I am a current full-time faculty/staff University employee.

+ No, I am not currently employed by the University.

+ No, I am a current per course faculty member.

+ No, I am a current part-time staff University employee.

+ No, I am a current University graduate assistant or teaching assistant.

+ No, I am a current student University employee.

+ * How did you hear about this vacancy?

+ Indeed

+ Linkedin

+ Missouri State University Website

+ Google

+ Employee Referral

+ Job Alerts

+ HigherEdJobs.com

+ Personal Contacts / Networking

+ Job Board (CareerBuilder.com, Monster, etc.)

+ Other

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

+ Resume

+ Cover Letter

+ Unofficial Transcripts - 1

Optional Documents

+ Letter of Recommendation-1 (Non-confidential)

+ Letter of Recommendation-2 (Non-confidential)

+ Letter of Recommendation-3 (Non-confidential)

+ Other Documents -1

+ Certificate/License-1

+ Unofficial Transcripts -2

+ Unofficial Transcripts -3