JOB: Project Coordinator Position

Project Coordinator Position: Parents Taking Action to Improve Autism Services Access for Navajo Families in Northern Arizona 

Project Overview: Little is known about Navajo parent/guardian experiences raising children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and service access barriers. Moreover, no intervention to reduce health disparities has targeted Navajo families of children with ASD. A critical need, therefore, exists to generate new knowledge on Navajo parent/guardian perceptions of ASD that can inform an intervention to improve service access. This study aims to: (1a) Conduct focus groups and interviews with Navajo parents/guardians of children with ASD to generate new knowledge on Navajo parent/guardian experiences raising children with ASD; (1b) Adapt Parents Taking Action, an evidence-based intervention, for Navajo families of children with ASD; and (2) Conduct a pilot trial of the adapted intervention with 15 Navajo parents/guardians of children with ASD ages 2-12 years to determine its feasibility, acceptability, and culturally appropriate outcomes measurement. 

Job Responsibilities: The project coordinator will work under the supervision of Dr. Lindly and Dr. Henderson. S/he will meet every other week with Dr. Lindly. S/he will be responsible for the following aspects of the project: assisting with data collection and management, assisting with data analysis, assisting with the development of reports and other dissemination materials, scheduling Advisory Group and research team meetings, developing meeting materials, assisting with focus group/interview recruitment, coordinating focus group/interview transcription, coordinating participant payments, assisting with Parent Leader recruitment and training scheduling, and assisting with institutional review board amendments as needed. 

Preferred Applicant Criteria: Is a current NAU graduate student in good academic standing, can commit to being part of the project team until fall 2022, identifies as Navajo, has fluency speaking Diné, and has an interest in health research. 

Time Commitment & Pay Rate: 20 hours/week at $16 per hour with the possibility of summer and/or fall 2021 tuition remission 

Application Deadline: March 5, 2021 

Contact: Please send a Letter of Interest, CV, and letter of recommendation to Olivia.Lindly@nau.edu.