We, the Organization for Autism Research (OAR), are looking for persons with business, management, and workplace experience to serve as Hire Autism Navigators and help autistic adults refine their resumes and/or cover letters and prepare for job interviews.

We firmly believe in the ability of autistic people to be successful in a wide range of jobs. Hire Autism provides online resources to help job seekers find meaningful employment. We also know that these individuals can use help in finding jobs and all that goes with it.  This is where Hire Autism Navigators will play a supporting role.  Navigators will review and provide direct feedback on job seekers’ resumes/cover letters to ensure that they are polished and ready to send to employers. Navigators can also work with job seekers on preparing for job interviews.

The expected volunteer commitment is 1-2 hours per week for 3 months. We expect that Navigators will work with a single job seeker over a 4-week period.

The Navigator role is envisioned as a virtual volunteer opportunity with interactions conducted via web-based platforms. The ideal volunteer will have a record of success in his or her own professional career, excellent verbal and written communication skills, a commitment to Hire Autism’s mission, and the desire to serve as a positive role model.  Familiarity with autism is a plus, but it is not a prerequisite.

Our virtual training consists of a blended 4-hour curriculum delivered live and on-demand that will be completed over a 2-week period. After Navigators complete their training and pass a background check, they will be matched with a job seeker to work on job readiness.

Desired Qualifications/Requirements:

  • 10+ years leadership, management, HR, or related experience
  • Ability to pass a criminal background check
  • Experience as a business owner, hiring manager, or in HR, or similar
  • Competence in Google Docs, online searching and virtual communication
  • Excellent verbal, and written communication skills

Desired Intangibles:

  • Desire to help people in a meaningful way
  • Belief in the potential of all individuals to reach their fullest potential
  • Patience and perseverance
  • Strong sense of advocacy

Interested in becoming a Navigator? Please complete the application below and we will be in touch with you!

2021-2022 Application Deadlines:

April Training: April 9, 2021 (Training will take place in mid-late April)

July Training: June 25, 2021

October Training: September 24, 2021

January 2022 Training: January 7, 2022 

Hire Autism - Navigator Application

  • General Information

  • Questions

  • Job Advice, Networking, Resume Review, Interview Practice/Strategies

  • Professional Background

  • 1 (No experience)23 (Some experience)45 (Extensive experience)
    Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
    Google Suite (Docs, Sheets)
    Text messaging
    Gmail/Outlook/E-Mail
    Facetime/Skype/Google hangout
    LinkedIn

  • Reference

  • Reference

  • Volunteer Agreement

    As a volunteer of the Organization for Autism Research, I agree to the following: • To commit 3 months to assist the program • To attend live and complete on-demand training sessions • To communicate with assigned job seeker(s) and/or parent(s) on a weekly basis • To keep Hire Autism staff informed about how things are going with assigned job seeker(s) • To keep all personal information about assigned job seeker(s) and their family/families confidential. Note: This volunteer agreement is binding in honor only and is not intended to be a legally binding contract between the volunteer and the organization. Neither party intends any employment relationship to be created now or at any time in the future. This agreement may be canceled at any time at the discretion of either party.

  • Background Check Authorization

    In the interest of safety and security I, the undersigned applicant, authorize the Organization for Autism Research to procure background information about me, prior to, and at any time during, my service to the organization. This report may include my driving history, including any traffic citations; a social security number verification; present and former addresses; criminal and civil history/records; and the state sex offender records. I agree to answer any follow-up questions that the Organization for Autism Research might ask as a result of information contained in the background check report. I understand that I am entitled to a complete copy of any background information report of which I am the subject upon my request to the Organization for Autism Research if such it is made within a reasonable time from the date it was produced.