SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGIST/AUSTISM SPECIALIST

Speech And Language Pathologist/Autism Specialist

This unique position brings together the best of speech-language pathology, center based and transition services, community-based learning, and autism support. The successful candidate will spend approximately half of the role providing speech-language services to students within a center-based program, with an emphasis on communication skills that foster functional communication, increase independence, employment success, self-advocacy, social connection, and meaningful participation in the school/community. The other half of the role will serve as an Autism Consultant, partnering with educators and teams to strengthen evidence-based practices and build welcoming, effective learning environments for students with autism.

This is an ideal opportunity for an SLP who loves seeing communication come alive beyond the therapy room - at work sites, in community settings, during daily living experiences, and alongside the educators who support students every day. The position offers variety, collaboration, creativity, and the opportunity to make an impact at both the individual-student and systems level.

The Monroe County Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, age, height, weight, marital status or familial status in its programs, activities or in employment. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Anya Lusk, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Legal Counsel, 1101 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe Michigan 48161; Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Job Description Continued

Essential Duties

Speech-Language Pathology & Transition Services - Approximately 50%

• Provide direct and consultative speech-language services to students in individual, small-group, classroom, work-based learning, and community settings.
• Focus intervention on functional communication skills that support literacy, and independence, including self-advocacy, workplace communication, social communication, problem solving, interviewing, requesting assistance, following directions, and communicating needs and preferences.
• Partner with staff, job coaches, employers, families, and community partners to help students generalize communication skills across authentic environments.
• Participate with students in work-based learning and community activities to identify communication opportunities and provide support where skills are actually used.
• Support students who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), including selection, implementation, modeling, staff support, and use across school, employment, and community environments.
• Conduct speech-language evaluations and provide written reports in the areas of speech, language, voice, social communication, and functional communication as appropriate.
• Develop meaningful, measurable IEP goals that connect communication skills to plans, employment, independent living, community participation, and student voice.
• Participate in MET and IEP processes and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support student-centered planning.
• Provide consultation and practical strategies to staff and families so communication supports are embedded naturally throughout the student day.
• Maintain required records, documentation, progress monitoring, and reports for students assigned to the caseload.

Autism Support Consultation - Approximately 50%

• Provide consultation, modeling, and technical support to educational teams serving students with autism across programs and settings.
• Help teams implement evidence-based and neurodiversity-affirming practices that strengthen communication, engagement, independence, regulation, social connection, and access to learning.
• Support the use of visual supports, communication systems, environmental strategies, structured teaching, peer supports, positive behavior supports, and other individualized practices based on student need.

The Monroe County Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, age, height, weight, marital status or familial status in its programs, activities or in employment. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Anya Lusk, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Legal Counsel, 1101 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe Michigan 48161; Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Job Description Continued

• Collaborate with staff to increase student access, participation, belonging, and success in the least restrictive environment.
• Observe students and learning environments, identify practical opportunities for improvement, and work alongside teams to implement strategies with fidelity.
• Facilitate problem-solving around complex student needs using student strengths, data, team input, and evidence-based practices.
• Develop and provide engaging professional learning, resources, demonstrations, and follow-up support related to effective practices for students with autism.
• Support START, PBIS/MTSS, Peer to Peer, transition, and other district initiatives as appropriate to the needs of students and programs.
• Build staff capacity rather than creating dependence - helping teams understand the why, practice the how, and confidently sustain effective supports.
• Participate in collaborative teams, committees, and professional learning opportunities to remain current in autism research, communication supports, transition practices, and evidence-based intervention.
• Valid driver's license, auto insurance and reliable transportation required.
• Maintain regular, predictable in-person attendance expected.
• Follow work rules.
• Adhere to MCISD guidelines and policies.
• Assumes other duties as assigned.

The Monroe County Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, age, height, weight, marital status or familial status in its programs, activities or in employment. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Anya Lusk, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Legal Counsel, 1101 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe Michigan 48161; Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Job Description Continued

• Experience supporting students with disabilities in school, transition, community, or work-based settings preferred.
• Experience supporting students with autism and implementing evidence-based practices preferred.
• Experience with AAC and functional communication supports strongly preferred.

The Monroe County Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, disability, age, height, weight, marital status or familial status in its programs, activities or in employment. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Anya Lusk, Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Legal Counsel, 1101 S. Raisinville Road, Monroe Michigan 48161; Telephone: View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Job Description Continued

• Experience collaborating with educational teams and providing staff training, modeling, or consultation preferred.

Skills/Other

• A genuine belief in the competence, potential, and right to meaningful adult lives of students with disabilities.
• Strong knowledge of speech, language, social communication, AAC, autism, and functional communication.
• Ability to translate research and best practice into strategies that are practical, respectful, and usable in real classrooms, workplaces, and community settings.
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, verbal communication, and written communication skills.
• Ability to build trusting relationships and collaborate effectively with students, families, educators, administrators, employers, and community partners.
• Flexible, creative, solution-focused approach and willingness to work across varied environments.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when exposed to sensitive information.

Criminal History Check: Upon hire, employees of the Monroe County Intermediate School District are fingerprinted for a Michigan and FBI criminal history check. The processing fee of $45.00 is the responsibility of the applicant.

Working Conditions

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently walking and standing. The employee may frequently bend or twist at the neck and back while performing the duties of this job. Specific vision abilities required by this job include peripheral vision and close vision such as reading typewritten material. The employee may occasionally lift up to 50 pounds such as student equipment and wheelchairs. The employee will be required to physically manage students.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Monroe County Intermediate School District does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color