Academy Communication Specialist

Make a Real Impact Every Day!

At Lauren’s Institute for Education (L.I.F.E.), we believe in empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through education, support, and compassion.

Why You’ll Love Working at L.I.F.E.: 

Salary: $75,000 - $82,0000 10-month contract

L.I.F.E. provides a robust benefits package, including:

L.I.F.E. observes scheduled Spring, Fall, and Winter breaks. Pay during these designated closure periods is based on employee tenure and eligibility.

• First year of employment: unpaid scheduled breaks
• After 1 year of employment: eligible for 50% scheduled break pay
• Beginning in year 4 and beyond: eligible for 100% scheduled break pay

Eligibility and payment are subject to L.I.F.E.’s policies and applicable employment status.

• Health | Vision | Dental 
• Be part of a team with an important mission to help people with disabilities  
• 12 paid holidays (Paid after 90 days)
• 2 weeks of Paid Time Off (3 weeks after completion of 2 years) 
• Wellness Program (stay healthy, earn rewards, discounts on insurance premiums) 
• 401K/Roth Retirement Plans 
• Performance and attendance bonuses 
• Annual longevity bonuses based on organization profitability 
• Employee Assistance Program (free counseling and other assistance) 
• Partial Paid FMLA
• Professional development opportunities  
• Inhouse trainings 
• Discounts on degrees through partnership with Capella University  
• Learn from different disciplines 
• As a non-profit 501c-3, LIFE may qualify you for student loan forgiveness. 
• Employee appreciation  
• Birthday gift, monthly cupcakes for all staff  
• Employment anniversary recognition every year, special gifts at 1, 3, 5, 10 and 15 years  
• Employee of the month for each department. Recognition, gift, personalized parking space for the month 
• All staff celebrations (close center, fun staff social activities) 
• Monday football treats for all staff 
• Free work shirts including a special department spirit shirt 
• Beautiful 10-acre facility with multiple specialty environments 
• Departmental budgets used to buy what staff want (e.g., food, ET, supplies
• USA Today Top Workplace 2025
• 3rd Place Winner – Phoenix Business Journal’s 2024 Healthiest Employer Award (Small Business Category)

The Licensed SLP or BCBA practices within their licensed scope of practice while developing individualized therapeutic recommendations, supporting learner success, promoting carryover of therapeutic strategies across environments, and ensuring compliance with organizational policies, payer requirements, professional standards, and applicable regulatory requirements. 

Key Responsibilities: 

• Evaluate learners using standardized assessments, observation, interviews, record review, and clinical judgment to determine strengths, needs, and areas for intervention when acting in a Supervisory role for any assigned assistants. 
• Develop, implement, monitor, and revise, educational supports, consultative recommendations, and therapeutic interventions within the therapist's licensed scope of practice, ensuring alignment with transdisciplinary goals and learner outcomes. 
• Provide consultation, classroom-based supports, and group programming based on learner and organizational needs.  
• Integrate therapeutic strategies into Academy environments to support participation, independence, communication, motor skills, sensory regulation, and functional performance while promoting generalization across environments. 
• Maintain classroom schedules and provide structured and informal observations, coaching, modeling, and consultation to academy staff to ensure carryover of therapeutic strategies.  
• Provide short-term individual consultative support and targeted interventions when clinically indicated to address emerging needs. 
• Assist with development, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of ILP goals associated with designated discipline and transdisciplinary treatment objectives. 
• Collect, analyze, and interpret data to evaluate progress, inform clinical decision-making, adjust interventions, and complete all required documentation, including daily reflections, progress reports, clinical records, and billing documentation, as applicable. 
• Maintain ongoing communication and collaboration with families, caregivers, educational staff, medical providers, and interdisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care.  
• Participate in ILP meetings, case reviews, consultations, and required organizational meetings, contributing clinical insight and recommendations. 
• Develop and deliver staff training, professional development, and discipline-specific education to enhance staff competency and consistency of implementation.  
• Provide consultation on adaptive equipment, assistive technology, environmental modifications, and therapeutic supports, including assessment, implementation, staff training, and follow-up monitoring. 
• Utilize therapeutic and behavior support strategies consistent with organizational expectations and individualized behavior support plans. 
• Follow all organizational policies, professional standards, payer requirements, licensing regulations, and applicable laws. 
• Complete required trainings, fidelity assessments, continuing education, and maintain licensure and certifications. 
• Ensure incidents are documented, reported, and followed up on according to organizational policy and regulatory requirements. 
• Supervise assistants, students, interns, or trainees as applicable and consistent with licensure requirements.  
• Serve as a clinical resource through education, mentoring, consultation, and support to staff and team members. 
• Participate in quality improvement initiatives, program development, and organizational projects to enhance service delivery.  
• Maintain ethical and professional standards and perform duties safely.  
• Perform other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications: 

• Graduate degree as required by the applicable discipline, from an accredited educational program. 
• Current Arizona licensure (or license eligible, if permitted) in the applicable discipline and maintenance of all required professional certifications consistent with the position. 
• Knowledge of applicable federal and state laws, licensing regulations, ethical standards, payer requirements, educational practices, and professional standards governing therapy services. 
• Experience working with children and/or adults with developmental disabilities preferred; equivalent pediatric or clinical experience may be considered. 
• Current Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. 
• Current CPR, First Aid, and Article 9 certification, or the ability to obtain within the required timeframe. 
• Understanding of developmental milestones, social skill deficits, maladaptive behaviors, evidence-based therapeutic interventions, and collaborative interdisciplinary service delivery. 
• Strong clinical reasoning, organizational, written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams while exercising sound clinical judgment, maintaining professional boundaries, and promoting positive learner outcomes.