1. You are here: AUCD Home
  2. About Us
  3. Employment
  4. Program Specialist, Maternal & Child Health Technical Assistance - Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Silver Spring, MD

Program Specialist, Maternal & Child Health Technical Assistance - Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Silver Spring, MD

Posted: Monday, June 20, 2016


AUCD is seeking a full-time Program Specialist to bolster its technical assistance (TA) efforts in support of the national network of federally funded Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) and Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) programs, as well as the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD).  This individual will contribute to the full range of AUCD TA initiatives, with specific emphases on: (1) projects related to AUCD's cooperative agreement with the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), and (2) strengthening engagement and collaboration among trainees and early career professionals (ECP).  The Program Specialist will be responsible for overseeing projects aimed at this target population, while working with staff from multiple teams and network leaders to set new initiatives into motion.

AUCD supports a national network of interdisciplinary centers on disabilities. Its members represent every U.S. state and territory, including: 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), 43 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) programs, and 15 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers (IDDRC). Together, these organizations advance policy and practice through research, education, leadership, and services for and with individuals with developmental and other disabilities, their families and communities. Each year, more than 3,000 trainees graduate from AUCD member programs; as professionals, they continue to work in support of independence, productivity, and a satisfying quality of life for all.

The ideal candidate understands the value of interdisciplinary approaches to meeting the needs of people with disabilities and their families, and is motivated to help AUCD and its members build a more capable health workforce.  The Program Specialist will report to the Senior Manager, Maternal and Child Health Technical Assistance; this individual will also work closely with the Marketing and UCEDD TA departments.  The AUCD office is located in downtown Silver Spring, MD, one block from the red line Silver Spring Metro station and within short walking distance of a county-maintained parking garage.  Candidates who can work at the office are preferred, but AUCD will consider very strong candidates who intend to work remotely from an alternate location.

Job Responsibilities

  • Support TA and collaboration activities (e.g. in-person and virtual meetings, trainings, topical work groups, and the development of informational resources) to meet the needs of LENDs, DBPs, and UCEDDs
  • Assist with responding to requests for information and assistance from member programs, federal project officers, and other organizational partners
  • Establish and maintain mechanisms for effectively engaging and promoting leadership among former trainees and ECPs, including but not limited to creating and supporting an AUCD trainee alumni society
  • Manage all trainee and ECP communication platforms (website, direct mail lists, social media, etc.) in accordance with AUCD policies
  • Develop and promote the use of trainee orientation resources
  • Provide ongoing supervision to the Virtual Trainee (VT) and Assistant Virtual Trainee (AVT), representatives who work remotely from their home sites for one academic year and one semester, respectively, to enhance trainee engagement across the network
  • Work with VT, AVT and staff to cultivate and leverage a network of Trainee Liaisons at each program/center
  • Oversee the annual application, hiring, and onboarding process for the VT and AVT
  • Liaise with federal and organizational partners in the coordination of networking activities in which AUCD trainees and former trainees are (or could be) involved
  • Plan and coordinate in-person activities for trainees, former trainees, and ECPs at the AUCD Conference, Disability Policy Seminar, and other events as appropriate
  • Support the planning and implementation of the AUCD Leadership Institute, plus other activities related to network trainees and ECPs
  • Carry out other assigned activities that further the mission and goals of AUCD

Desired Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; graduate-level experience is preferred
  • Familiarity with the AUCD network and service systems for people with disabilities; prior participation in LEND and/or UCEDD interdisciplinary training is strongly preferred, though not required
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, resourcefulness, and a professional demeanor
  • Cultural and linguistic competence in interactions with trainees and professionals from around the country (and world) representing a wide range of abilities, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and cultural identities
  • Demonstrated proficiency using electronic tools (e-mail, website, social media, etc.) to communicate and exchange information
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a small, highly collaborative team
  • Proven record of being able to effective manage multiple projects and priorities at once

Benefits

Salary based on education and experience; generous health, dental, disability, life insurance and retirement benefits; and three weeks' vacation, sick and personal days, and paid holidays. This position provides a unique opportunity to exercise creativity and initiative in a national disability non-profit organization.

Application Procedures

Please submit: (1) a letter of interest, (2) a resume of relevant experience, and (3) names and contact information of at least two professional references to Ben Kaufman ([email protected]) with "Application for Program Specialist" as the subject line. Applications will be accepted and reviewed immediately. The position will remain open until filled.

The online job posting can be found here: http://www.aucd.org/index.cfm/employment

For more information about AUCD, visit: www.aucd.org

 

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