Family Support Specialist (Autism)

Arizona Autism United (AZA United) is a leading nonprofit service organization for children and families affected by autism in and around Maricopa County. We provide a wide range of supports and therapies and are currently expanding locations and programs. As we continue to grow and expand our high-quality services, we need to hire more people who want to make a difference in the lives of families affected by autism. To learn more about why great people choose to work at AZA United, please visit our site: www.azaunited.org/whyaza 

This role might be a great fit for you if...

• ...you have experience helping others to navigate systems of care (DDD, AHCCCS, etc) to get services for their child.
• ...you have personal experience as a parent/guardian/caregiver to a child affected by autism and have had to navigate systems of care for yourself.
• ...you thrive on helping others and navigating challenging situations.
• ...you have strong administrative & communication skills and have demonstrated that in your previous work experience.

✨Job Overview ✨

The primary role of the Family Support Specialist will be to provide hands-on caring and compassionate help for parents to access services, navigate systems, and coordinate care among different providers. Part of this role involves staying informed about services and programs that are available to families throughout the community, in order to maximize access to care and minimize stress and barriers for parents. This particular person will serve families in Glendale/ North Phoenix area but should be willing to travel valley wide. (Also willing to consider candidates in Northern Arizona.)

✨Snapshot✨

📍LOCATION: 80% at home/remote, 10% in-office, 5% client visits and 5% community/networking 
🕒SCHEDULE: 30-40 hours/week; Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
💰COMPENSATION: Starting pay range is $21-$25, DOE.
🏥BENEFITS: Comprehensive health package, PTO/PST, 12 paid holidays, 401(k), paid parental leave, and more!

This role will require traveling to our main office in Phoenix for the first day of employment. 
 

✨Job Duties✨

Care Coordination

• Support intake processes across departments
• Obtain permissions and communicate with an individual client’s health care network
• Communicate with clients and staff to provide high quality care coordination and resolve challenges efficiently and effectively
• Participate in follow-up processes to ensure support from AZA United
• Track activities and report back to the appropriate departments to facilitate any necessary support
• Update and maintain electronic databases
• Attend meetings to support families when appropriate (ie. DDD meetings, CFT meetings, etc.) 

Family Support

• Be the first point of contact for families that contact the organization
• Respond quickly, efficiently and professionally to all communications
• Educate families on available funding sources and services, both internally and externally
• Broker contact with points of intake, both internally and externally
• Provide emotional support and perspective for families experiencing stressful circumstances related to services and the care of their child(ren)

Stay Informed

• Attend internal programmatic and operations meetings and external systems of care meetings
• Attend relevant case management meetings for our clients
• Attend community events and collect resources for the organization and families
• Function as in-house expert for staff to answer questions and disseminate information as needed about our programs, service delivery systems, and other community resources for families

      ✨Experience & Qualifications✨

• High school diploma required; Bachelor's degree preferred 
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must live in Maricopa County (May consider applicants located in Northern Arizona)
• Minimum of 2 years of personal/lived experience navigating relevant systems of care (e.g. Behavioral Health, DDD, ABA Services), with sufficient knowledge of autism spectrum disorders, systems of care, treatments and services, etc. to be classified as a “Specialist” at AZA United
• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience that required strong communication skills (verbal and written), as well as the ability to perform administrative level work using Microsoft programs (Excel, Word, Outlook). 
• Professional experience navigating and/or implementing Arizona systems of care (e.g. Behavioral Health, DDD, ABA Services) preferred 
• Successfully pass a background check and other related hiring requirements; a tuberculosis screening, and other related hiring requirements
• Bilingual/Spanish Speaking, a PLUS!

Join an organization with a great culture and supportive leadership that believes in work/life balance. AZA United is an Arizona Top Workplace winner because we provide a collaborative work environment focused on transparent communication, teamwork and professional growth! In addition, you will receive the following benefits: 

• A competitive salary + Scheduled Raise Program 2x/year
• An excellent comprehensive health benefits package that includes health, dental and vision, employer contributions to your health savings account, company paid Short-Term/Long-Term Disability, and employer-paid basic life insurance
• Student Loan Forgiveness: As a non-profit organization, your employment (when consistently working at least 30 hours a week) meets requirements under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (for student loan forgiveness). For more information you can visit: studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service 
• A 401K plan with up to 4% match after one year of service
• Generous paid sick time and PTO, and 12 Paid Holidays
• Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave

 Autism knows no race, religion, gender, or identity.  We need and value diversity and inclusion in our workforce in order to fully support our families.  AZA welcomes applicants of any race, age, religion, gender, identity, or any other aspect which makes you unique.

For more information about AZA United, please visit our website at www.AZAunited.org or view our profile on www.glassdoor.com. 

Arizona Autism United (AZA United) complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and candidates with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact our Human Resources department.

Email: [email protected] | Main Office Phone Number: 602-773-5773 (Please ask for Human Resources.)