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Program Director - The Arc's Center for Special Education Advocacy (TheArc@School), Washington, DC

Posted: Wednesday, January 20, 2016


The Arc, the nation's leading nonprofit advocating on behalf of and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), is seeking an energetic, entrepreneurial, self-motivated professional to serve as Program Director.  The Program Director will be responsible for managing the start-up and ongoing operation of The Arc's new Center for Special Education Advocacy (TheArc@School).  The focus of this new Center will be to advance the practice of lay advocacy in special education, thereby helping students with intellectual and developmental disabilities realize the promise of a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment as guaranteed by Federal and State law. 

The Program Director will work closely with other professional staff on a self-managed team, and will tap the knowledge and expertise of volunteer and staff leaders from throughout The Arc's nationwide network of chapters.    A Juris Doctorate, preferred, or Masters in a relevant field, knowledge of special education policy and practice, creativity, ability to manage complex projects, entrepreneurship, excellent written and oral communications skills and seven (7) years of relevant experience required.  To apply, send letter of interest, resume, names of three references and two writing samples to [email protected].   EOE.  Minorities and persons with disabilities encouraged to apply. 

Position Summary

The Director will be responsible for managing the start-up and ongoing operation of The Arc's new Center for Special Education Advocacy (TheArc@School).  The focus of this new Center will be to advance the practice of lay advocacy in special education, thereby helping students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to realize the promise of a free, appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment as guaranteed by Federal and State law. 

The goal of the Center is to improve the educational experience for special education students while in school, increasing rates of graduation with high school diplomas and improving post-secondary outcomes, including employment, college or continuing education and community living.  The Center will: 

  • establish an online resource center to collect and share information about evidence-based and promising practices in individual education advocacy;
  • develop and deliver a formal training curriculum for staff and volunteer individual education advocates;
  • develop a community of practice for individual education advocates;
  • evaluate the impact trained advocates have on the academic, transition, and post-secondary outcomes of students with I/DD they serve;
  • explore the development of a certification program for education advocates; and
  • expand the capacity of chapters of The Arc throughout the United States to provide individual special education advocacy support for students and their families as a core service.

In the initial exploratory phase of the project, the Director will cast a wide net to identify and document existing education advocacy programs operated by chapters of The Arc, other nonprofits, and private consultants.  S/he will also conduct a literature review to identify relevant academic and other research that elucidates the qualities and characteristics of successful individual education advocacy programs and approaches.  With this knowledge base, the Program Director will lead creation of a model training curriculum capable of training advocates to provide high quality counsel and support to special education students and their families to successfully navigate the IEP process utilizing evidence-based and field-tested methods.  S/he will also facilitate development of a business/program protocol for the operation of an individual education advocacy service - TheArc@School -- that can be offered by chapters of The Arc, or other nonprofit service providers, utilizing the services of trained IEP advocates.  The Program Director, working collaboratively with The Arc's Staff Attorney and state and local chapters of The Arc, may also be involved in system change advocacy, as needed.

The Center will be guided by both a project work group and an expert advisory panel composed, collectively, of current students and young adults with I/DD, parents, family members, lay and professional advocates, disability professionals, academics and school system and government officials. 

The Program Director will work closely with other members of The Arc's national headquarters staff, including members knowledgeable about special education policy and practice, individual advocacy strategies and methods, individual and family supports, and research and evaluation.  S/he also will interact with executives, program staff and volunteer leaders from throughout The Arc's nationwide network of chapters, as well as with other experts and professionals in the field.

About The Arc

The Arc is the world's largest nonprofit, community-based organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including Down syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses. The Arc has a network of about 665 chapters across the country promoting and protecting the human rights of people with I/DD and actively supporting their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.  In addition to individual advocacy and public policy efforts at the local, state and national level, The Arc is the largest provider of services and supports for people with I/DD and their families.

Essential Job Functions

  • Actively lead and participate in the development and launch of the Center for Special Education Advocacy, including research, design, feasibility assessment, business process documentation, launch and ongoing support.
  • Develop and manage relationships with external partners, including state and local chapters of The Arc, clients and customers, and experts in the field.
  • Develop content and actively participate in implementation of The Center's web site and public communication strategy.
  • Organize, facilitate and support National Advisory Council composed of experts in special education and disability rights fields.
  • Organize, facilitate and support Special Education Advocacy Work Group composed of people with I/DD, parents and support providers, and professionals.
  • Conduct research to identify best practices in special education advocacy and design protocols for locally delivered individual advocacy services.
  • Provide one-to-one information and referral and technical assistance to people with I/DD and their family members.
  • Develop educational materials, information and resources, including training curricula, fact sheets, toolkits, and other project materials.
  • Develop in-person and online training and educational programming, online resource library and online databases resources.
  • Participate in design and implementation of evaluation strategy.
  • Manage project budget and activities.  
  • Co-supervise Legal Fellow.
  • Work collaboratively across departments. 
  • Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

  • Juris Doctorate, preferred, or Masters degree in special education, psychology or other relevant field(s);
  • Knowledge of special education rights and responsibilities under IDEA, section 504, and other relevant state and federal laws and regulations, and of methods and systems for accommodating and  supporting students with intellectual and developmental disabilities at school;
  • Familiarity with national and/or state special education advocacy organizations and resources;
  • Knowledge of mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution methods;
  • Creative leadership and entrepreneurial instinct
  • Minimum of  seven (7) years relevant experience
  • Collegial team player with proven project planning and implementation skills   
  • Ability to manage budgets.
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to juggle multiple priorities.
  • Deep interest in issues and concerns of people with I/DD and their families
  • Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.

Competitive salary based on education and experience. Excellent benefits including Health, Dental, Life, AD&D, and LTD insurances; Retirement plan; 4 weeks of vacation.

To apply, send letter of interest, resume, names of three references and two writing samples to [email protected].   EOE.  Minorities and persons with disabilities encouraged to apply.