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Program Director - Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Silver Spring, MD

Posted: Friday, August 22, 2014


AUCD, a leading national disability organization, is currently seeking a highly-qualified individual to serve as Program Director of a federally-funded project providing support to State interagency efforts to improve youth transition outcomes. AUCD is a highly regarded national nonprofit organization that promotes and supports a national network of over 100 interdisciplinary and research centers on disabilities. AUCD has a direct impact at the local, state and national levels to advance policy and practice through research, education, leadership, and services for and with individuals with disabilities and their families and communities, in support of independence, productivity, and a satisfying quality of life.

This position, located in Silver Spring, MD, will be the lead for the federally-funded PROMISE TA Center. AUCD's PROMISE TA Center is funded by US Dept. of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), and supports multiple State interagency teams in implementing their projects and increasing their capacity to improve services and supports to youth SSI recipients and their families. This position will be a key member of the AUCD leadership team as a senior staff member and report to the Co-Principle Investigators of this project with the primary responsibilities of:

  • Overall implementation of AUCD's PROMISE TA Center, including development and delivery of evidence-based, culturally competent technical assistance activities to interagency State teams through cooperative agreement with OSEP
  • Tracking, analyzing, and reporting on project activities and outcomes
  • Partnering with relevant organizations, coalitions and groups concerned with youth transition; facilitating partnerships between these entities and AUCD network members
  • Developing new ideas and concepts related to the project and emerging issues, and related funding proposals

Principal Duties:

  • Assume leadership for assigned projects
  • Develop work plan and assure that project deliverables are implemented and consistent with work plans
  • Manage budget for assigned projects, in collaboration with Director of Finance and Co-PIs
  • Supervise and actively assist the work of assigned staff to accomplish tasks and projects
  • Design and conduct necessary needs assessments and corresponding technical assistance activities
  • Coordinate relationships with grantees, federal funder, national evaluator, project evaluator, content experts, advisory group, and other partners
  • Maintain expertise on current research, policies, practices, and other key information related to youth transition and the needs and activities of PROMISE grantees
  • Produce issue briefs and fact sheets on the topic of youth transition, and guidance documents addressing needs of State interagency teams
  • Participate in the development and implementation of meetings, action learning teams, webinars and other skill-building opportunities for information sharing and exchange
  • Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key national groups and federal agencies related to youth transition; facilitate partnerships with these entities and AUCD network members
  • Respond to requests for information from PROMISE grantees, AUCD network members, federal agencies, policy makers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and others, and provide referrals to network members and other resources as appropriate
  • Facilitate communication of pertinent issues to AUCD members via newsletter, email, web page, papers
  • Develop new ideas and concepts related to the project and emerging issues
  • Develop grant proposals and other funding applications; manage projects & initiatives relating to transition

Required Qualifications:

  • Completion of a master's degree in a social science, special or regular education, administration, policy, or related field
  • 5 or more years of professional experience with demonstrated success in impacting systems supporting the transition from school to higher education and/or employment of youth experiencing disability and/or youth experiencing poverty
  • A professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently and as a team player, to take initiative, and to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time
  • Passion for and commitment to AUCD's mission are essential

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Knowledge of issues, policy initiatives, and evidence-based strategies and practices relating to the provision and coordination of services and supports for youth SSI recipients and their families that enable them to achieve improved educational and employment outcomes
  • Demonstrated program development, implementation, and evaluation skills
  • Demonstrated skills in delivering evidence-based, culturally competent training and technical assistance
  • Supervision experience
  • Demonstrated verbal and writing skills, including reports and public presentations
  • Demonstrated group process and collaboration skills
  • Demonstrated skill in facilitating interagency collaborations
  • Demonstration of cultural competence in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds, and promoting the cultural competence of service systems
  • Proficiency in the use of information technology, including internet-based communication tools, word processing, and spreadsheet or database software
  • Demonstrated organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills
  • Demonstrated ability to support a number of complex and simultaneous activities
  • Ability to travel 2-3 days per month

Benefits
AUCD provides a family-friendly work environment; a competitive salary based on education and experience; health, dental, disability, life insurance and retirement benefits; and three weeks' vacation plus sick and personal days and paid holidays. This position is an opportunity to exercise your expertise, creativity and initiative in a fast-paced yet relaxed office atmosphere, and to make a significant difference in policy and practice impacting the lives of youth living with a range of disabilities and their families.

Procedures
Via email only, submit a letter of interest, resume of relevant experiences, and names and contact information for three references to:

Dawn Rudolph, MSEd, UCEDD Technical Assistance Director
Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD)
1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1000
Silver Spring, MD 20910
[email protected]

This position is open immediately. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The position is supported by federal funds. For additional information on AUCD go to www.aucd.org

AUCD is an equal opportunity employer.
Persons from diverse cultures and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.