The Regional Autism Network Family Navigator (RAN)

The University of Alabama in Huntsville; New York (NY); On-site; USD 33,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Alabama in Huntsville is seeking a Regional Autism Network Family Navigator to serve as a regional expert in ASD navigation and multi-system coordination. The role involves guiding families through complex healthcare, education, and community services, and addressing barriers with evidence-based practices.

The position emphasizes data-driven program development, staff mentorship, and partnership building with regional stakeholders to strengthen ASD service capacity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or related field.
• 1–3 years of work experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience caring for a child with ASD and navigating ASD support resources.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to travel within the region for meetings, consultation, and professional development opportunities.
• Valid driver's license required.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-acuity navigation and systems coordination for ASD across healthcare, education, developmental, and community services.
• Develop individualized pathways to diagnostic, therapeutic, and support services.
• Maintain accurate program data and records, ensuring HIPAA and grant compliance.
• Mentor staff and partners; translate ASD research and program data into resources for families and providers.
• Lead regional data analysis, system mapping, and stakeholder reporting.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Counseling/Psychology/Social Work

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Purpose of the Position

The Regional Autism Network Family Navigator (RAN) will serve as a regional subject-matter expert and specialized Family Navigator for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), providing high-acuity navigation, systems coordination, and evidence-based guidance to individuals and families as they coordinate and navigate complex healthcare, educational, developmental, and community service systems. The position identifies and addresses systemic barriers and resource gaps, develops individualized pathways to diagnostic, therapeutic, and support services, and strengthens regional service capacity through strategic partnerships, data analysis, research, public education, and professional training. The position also supports organizational excellence by maintaining accurate program data and records, developing and implementing standardized navigation practices, mentoring staff and partners, and translating emerging ASD research, program data, and regulatory requirements into accessible resources and actionable guidance for families, service providers, and community stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Advanced System Navigation and Consultation

• Serve as a regional Subject Matter Expert (SME) on systemic navigation, clinical/educational frameworks, and evidence-based practices for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
• Manage programming and coordination, and provide high-acuity navigation services, assessing complex family needs, empowering families through specialized multi-system supports and complex insurance structures in all languages, utilizing interpreter services as needed.
• Serve as an expert wayfinder for families encountering system gaps, deploying advanced problem-solving methodologies to architect custom diagnostic, therapeutic, and intervention pipelines when standard solutions do not exist.
• Coordinate and engage in targeted family consultations to complete essential program paperwork, benefit applications, and service requests, streamlining access to regional resources.
• Record and maintain records of consultations, technical assistance, direct assistance, and education provided to the public.
• Oversee client record-keeping and data integrity within the regional and state tracking systems, ensuring compliance with HIPAA, confidentiality, and grant guidelines.

Strategic Research Data Architecture & Resource Discovery

• Lead system mapping and data analytics to identify, track, and bridge systemic resource gaps regionally.
• Lead the development, maintenance, indexing, and sharing of community supports and services for autism in a comprehensive database for the region. Integrate existing and emerging private, public, and non-profit services.
• Collaborate and consult with agencies conducting needs assessments to capture relevant data. Analyze results and compile metrics to share with regional stakeholders and leaders.
• Analyze program data and participant outcomes to generate narrative and statistical reports for leadership and stakeholders at local, regional, and state levels.

Stakeholder Networking, Cross-Sector Integration and Ecosystem Alignment

• Build regional capacity by cultivating relationships and strategic partnerships with civic, academic, and community leaders, including private, public, and non-profit sectors to streamline support, services, and systemic alignment.
• Develop strategic community infrastructure and partnerships to close gaps and reduce wait times for regional diagnostic and therapeutic services.
• Represent the organization as a technical expert and thought leader at high-profile public-facing events, community coalitions, and regional task forces.

Public Training and Education

• Elevate public autism literacy through technical guidance and instruction.
• Serve as an expert panelist, industry speaker, and educational lead at local, regional, and state ASD conferences.
• Manage, coordinate, and work closely in tandem with regional and statewide RAN colleagues to develop, facilitate, and deliver specialized training workshops, public education seminars, and evidence-based curriculum for family caregivers and community partners—translating current program data, ASD research, compliance laws, and best practices to elevate professional standards and scale regional service capacity.
• Coordinate monthly participation in vendor events/expos in the region and state to build brand awareness, educate the public, disseminate specialized ASD resources, and engage directly with regional stakeholders representing RAN regionally and statewide.
• Produce regional newsletters to translate complex healthcare, educational, and developmental systems data into accessible guidance, disseminating expert insights and regional resource updates across the regional autism network.
• Maintain a listserv of email addresses subscribed to the newsletter.

Organizational Development, Cross-Functional Integration & Mentorship

• Foster internal operational excellence, workforce growth, and cross-departmental alignment.
• Onboard, train, and provide technical guidance to staff, Constituency Board Members, specialized volunteers, and RAN colleagues throughout the state.
• Update, design, coordinate and execute standard operating procedures for Family Navigation to align regional and statewide teams while ensuring client feedback data directly informs programmatic growth.
• Strategically connect students and emerging or experienced professionals with key service providers, coordinate and bridging workforce gaps to expand regional capacity and enhance service availability for individuals with autism.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and years of experience
• 1-3 years of work experience
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience caring for a child with ASD and navigating ASD support resources.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel within the region for meetings, consultation, and professional development opportunities as needed.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Desired Qualifications

• Bilingual experience strongly preferred
• Prior volunteer or work experience in a field related to any of the following: mental health, K-12 education, or social work.

Published Salary (if available)

The approximate salary range for this on-call position is $24.04 - $25.00 /hr. ($50,000 - $52,000).