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

Posted: Monday, June 25, 2012


The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), located in Silver Spring, MD, is a national nonprofit organization that promotes and supports a national network of interdisciplinary centers on disabilities. The members of AUCD represent every US state and territory and include 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, in support of independence, productivity, and satisfying quality of life.

The Program Specialist will support and assist in carrying out a range of technical assistance and information exchange activities to support the UCEDD programs under a technical assistance contract with the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD). The purpose of this contract is to improve UCEDD program performance and outcomes as they carry out training, service, research, and information dissemination activities to positively affect the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families through capacity building, systems change, and advocacy. UCEDDs and AUCD's work to support them are guided by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000, whose purpose is to assure that individals with developmental disabilities and their families participate in the design of and have access to needed community services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance that promote self-determination, independence, productivity, and integration and inclusion in all facets of community life.

The Program Specialist will work under the supervision of the AIDD TA Director.

Required Qualifications and Competencies:

  • Completion of a master's degree in a social science, psychology, education, administration, or health sciences field.
  • Documented experience supporting projects and initiatives in developmental disabilities, autism, public health or social services as a trainee or employee of a UCEDD or LEND program, or similar experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
  • Demonstration of cultural competence in working with individuals from diverse cultures and promoting the cultural competence of service systems.
  • Proficiency in the use of information technology, including internet-based communication tools, and word processing, database, and spreadsheet software.
  • Strong organizational, analytical, and problem solving skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to support a number of complex and simultaneous activities.
  • Effective written and oral communication skills.

Desired (but not required) Qualifications:

  • Experience in federal grant or contract management.
  • Experience providing support to individuals in an office setting.
  • Participation as a UCEDD or LEND trainee.

Responsibilities:

  • Assist in carrying out duties of contract under the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AIDD) to enhance and improve the operations and conduct of individual UCEDDs and the UCEDD network through the provision of technical assistance, data collection, data analysis, and information exchange and dissemination.
  • Support the AIDD TA Director and staff in the coordination of technical assistance and network initiatives.
  • Coordinate the scheduling and development of technical assistance events such as site visits, meetings, webinars, and conference calls.
  • Actively work to increase collaboration and idea sharing among the UCEDD network by supporting webinars, meetings, and events.
  • Provide information to the AUCD network and the general public as appropriate on project efforts through web postings, newsletters, and electronic publications.
  • Assist in developing web content, social media content, educational materials, project and analytic reports, and other publications.
  • Respond to requests for information from member Centers and Programs, federal agencies, policy makers, individuals with disabilities, family members, and others, and provide referrals to network members and other resources as appropriate.
  • Represent the AUCD office, AUCD network members, and the cooperative agreement at meetings and conferences locally and nationally.
  • Provide support and information on a wide range of network activities that further the mission and goals of members of the network.
  • Carryout other activities that further the mission and goals of AUCD.

Benefits AUCD provides a competitive salary based on education and experience; health, retirement, and life insurance benefits; and three weeks' vacation. This position is an opportunity to exercise your creativity and initiative in program management, to work in a fast paced yet relaxed office atmosphere, and to make a significant difference in the lives of people with disabilities and their families.

Procedures Submit a letter of interest, resume of relevant experiences, and names and contact information for three references to:


Dawn Rudolph, MSEd, TA 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 encouraged to apply.