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

Posted: Thursday, July 9, 2020

AUCD, a leading national disability organization, is seeking a highly-qualified, full-time Program Specialist to provide technical assistance (TA) to a national network of interdisciplinary training and research centers on disabilities. This position will contribute to the full range of AUCD TA initiatives to provide support and build capacity, with specific emphases on projects related to AUCD's contract to improve program performance, statutory compliance, and program outcomes across the national network of University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service (UCEDDs).    


AUCD supports a national network of interdisciplinary centers on disabilities. Its members represent every U.S. state and territory, including: 67 UCEDDs, 52 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.

 

The Program Specialist will report to the Senior Program Manager of the UCEDD Resource Center. This individual will also work closely with the Interdisciplinary Technical Assistance Center on Autism and Developmental Disabilities, as well as other teams including: Communications, Public Health, and Policy.  The AUCD office is located in downtown Silver Spring, MD, one block from the red line Silver Spring Metro station and next to a county-maintained parking garage. Candidates who can work at the office are preferred. This position is funded by a federal contract and is contingent on continued funding. 

 

Job Responsibilities

Meeting Planning

  • Coordinate meeting planning committees, including recruiting members, scheduling and facilitating virtual meetings, taking notes and meeting minutes, developing iterative drafts of meeting agendas
  • Develop online content for outreach to meeting participants, meeting information, registration, and archived materials
  • Coordinate with Operations team to plan and implement hotel logistics to meet meeting purpose and participant needs, including accessibility
  • Assist in planning, facilitation and delivery of training and TA webinars

 

Outreach and Engagement

  • Solicit information, exemplary practices, and relevant resources from AUCD network members and other stakeholders as needed
  • Coordinate committees and workgroups, including scheduling meetings, taking notes, and tracking and facilitating activities and outcomes
  • Manage assigned listservs
  • Provide staff support to one or more AUCD Councils and/or Special Interest Group
  • Collaborate with organizational partners and coalitions on activities and initiatives that engage AUCD network members or are relevant to aspects of their work

 

Information dissemination

  • Draft accessible and culturally & linguistically competent materials for trainings, meetings, webinars, and other events
  • Solicit, develop, and package content for newsletters, fact sheets, webpages, and other publications and resources
  • Collaborate with the AUCD communications team to develop and implement strategies for disseminating information, publications, and resources to a variety of disability community and other stakeholders
  • Respond to requests for information, referrals, and assistance from member programs, federal project officers, people with disabilities and their family members, and others

Administrative

  • Support subcontracting tasks including communication, invoicing, and tracking activities
  • Develop and implement surveys to evaluate training and technical assistance activities
  • Assist with program evaluation and quality improvement initiatives
  • Participate in AUCD staff committees as appropriate
  • Carry out other assigned activities that further the mission and goals of AUCD

 

Required Qualifications

  • Completion of a bachelor's degree in a social science, education, administration, policy, or related field
  • Two (2) years of professional or graduate level academic experience in human services, health sciences, disability, public health, or related fields
  • A professional and resourceful style; the ability to work independently and as a team player, take initiative, and manage multiple tasks and projects at a time
  • Passion for and commitment to AUCD's mission are essential

 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills
  • Demonstrated group process and collaboration skills
  • Demonstrated skills in planning and facilitating logistics for training events (webinars, conferences, etc.)
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Cultural and linguistic competence in interactions with students and professionals 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
  • Excellence in organizational, analytical, time management/productivity, and problem solving skills
  • Proven record of being able to effectively manage multiple projects and priorities at once

 

Desired Qualifications

  • Familiarity with the AUCD network and service systems for people with disabilities; prior participation in LEND, DBP, and/or UCEDD interdisciplinary training is preferred
  • Knowledge of issues, policy initiatives, research, and practice related to health and quality of life for people with disabilities of all ages, and their families and communities
  • Basic knowledge of program evaluation and quality improvement practices 

 

Benefits

AUCD provides a family-friendly work environment; a competitive 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 your expertise, creativity and initiative in a fast-paced yet relaxed office atmosphere. AUCD is committed to an inclusive culture that values all types of diversity, and as such has experience accommodating a wide range of disability and related workplace needs.

 

Application Procedures

Please submit: (1) a letter of interest, (2) a resume of relevant experience, (3) names and contact information of at least three professional references, and (4) any accommodations needed for the application and interview process to Sarah DeMaio ([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 traditionally underrepresented or unrepresented cultural backgrounds and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.