Associate Director

Department of Human Development and Family Studies College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences WE TRANSFORM LIVES. Everything we do is designed to improve the quality of life of the people in the state of Illinois, across the nation, and around the world. We discover, develop, translate, and disseminate knowledge to address societal concerns and train the next generation of experts and leaders in a way that empowers them to expand the boundaries of science to higher levels of understanding and influence. Be a part of our story About INI: The Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative (INI) is a comprehensive support program housed in the Department of Human Development & Family Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. INI promotes the success of neurodivergent college students from orientation through graduation by providing academic supports, mental health services, social connection, and employment preparation. The program currently serves approximately 70 students and is grounded in a strengths-based, neuroinclusive philosophy that centers student voice and self-advocacy across academic, social, and professional settings. Job Summary Supports the leadership and daily operations of the Illinois Neurodiversity Initiative (INI), combining staff supervision, course instruction, direct student support, and program development to advance INI's mission of supporting neurodivergent college students. INI is a comprehensive support program housed in the Department of Human Development & Family Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. INI promotes the success of neurodivergent college students from orientation through graduation by providing academic supports, mental health services, social connection, and employment preparation. The program is grounded in a strengths-based, neuroinclusive philosophy that centers student voice and self-advocacy across academic, social, and professional settings. Duties & Responsibilities Student advising Provide individual executive function support to assigned students Support students in developing self-advocacy skills across academic, community, and professional settings Assist with academic support programming and student needs assessment Support INI's corporate internship program and employer partnerships Provide employment preparation and career readiness programming Connect students with work-based learning opportunities and employment resources Course instruction and curriculum development Teach 1-2 courses per semester from INI's curriculum based on program need and candidate expertise which may include: HDFS 202: Pre-Employment Seminar HDFS 255: Current Topics in Autism HDFS 398: Leadership in Neurodiversity HDFS 398: Global Self-Advocacy Contribute to curriculum development and the ongoing refinement of course materials Support the development of novel programming and interventions for neurodivergent college students Program leadership and operations Assist the Director with program planning, implementation, and evaluation Contribute to the development and refinement of program policies and operational infrastructure Support student recruitment and retention efforts, including recruiting events, application review, and student onboarding and orientation Assist with campus and community trainings on neurodiversity and neuroinclusive practices Support parent and family engagement Contribute to program assessment and outcome tracking Supervision Supervise INI program staff, including providing regular feedback, guidance, and professional development support Work Schedule, Travel, or Other Job Expectations Position involves working on campus in academic environments (e.g., classrooms, offices), occasional evening or weekend hours, and occasional meetings with non-campus partners. Minimum Qualifications Master’s degree in special education, speech-language pathology, social work, psychology, rehabilitation, human development, or a closely related field. Minimum of three (3) years of experience working directly with neurodivergent individuals. Demonstrated experience in program coordination, staff supervision, or a related leadership role. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly in a small, dynamic team environment. Preferred Qualifications Experience working with neurodivergent students in a post-secondary or higher education setting. Teaching or instructional experience at the college level. Research experience related to neurodiversity, disability, or transition. Experience in employment preparation, career readiness, or vocational support for neurodivergent individuals. Familiarity with executive function support models and academic support strategies. Experience developing or leading social programming or community-building initiatives. Knowledge of neuroinclusive practices across academic, workplace, and community settings. Experience with program assessment, data collection, or outcome tracking. Knowledge of local, state, and federal resources and supports for neurodivergent individuals. Appointment Information This is a 100% full-time Academic Professional position, appointed on a 12-month basis. The expected start date is as soon as possible after 8/17/2026. The budgeted salary range for the position is $75,000 to $78,000. This position is not eligible for any type of sponsorship. This position may become permanent depending on funding and needs of the department. This position is intended to be eligible for benefits . This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents. The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify . Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Accommodations may also be requested on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions, or religion. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodation portal , or by contacting the Office for Access & Equity at View phone number on click.appcast.io, option #1, or View email address on click.appcast.io . Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person. Champaign-Urbana At the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign - the state's flagship public university and one of the world's leading research institutions - every staff member helps shape what's next. Founded in 1867, Illinois is home to a vibrant community of 59,000 students from all 50 states and 129 countries, supported by 15 colleges and instructional units, more than 20 research institutes, and one of the most comprehensive student service ecosystems in the nation. Whether you're empowering first-generation students, fueling breakthrough innovation, or strengthening communities across Illinois and beyond, your work here has a far-reaching and deeply meaningful impact. The university offers a highly competitive benefits package designed to support your well-being, growth, and financial security. Join a top 10 public university that has launched over 330 startups and continues to redefine excellence - where the Illinois Value Proposition ensures that your contributions are recognized, your potential is nurtured, and your career can thrive. #J-18808-Ljbffr