PAY GRADE: 31E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The Center for Disabilities Studies (CDS) promotes increased access, opportunity, and accomplishment among people with disabilities across ages and life domains through its multifaceted research, training, and service portfolio. CDS is one of 67 University Centers of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) nationwide and is the largest research and public service Center in the College of Education and Human Development. The Centers current programmatic units focus on transition to adult life (secondary education, post-secondary education, and employment), health and wellness, PreK-12 education, and assistive technology. Each unit implements a cohesive program of research, technical assistance, academic training, professional development, community training, advocacy, and information dissemination. CDS works in close collaboration with federal agencies and organizations, State agencies, other units at the University of Delaware, community organizations, service providers, individuals with disabilities, and their families. Each unit provides opportunities to both graduate and undergraduate students to develop their knowledge and skills and contribute to the Centers mission. The Center also manages the Disabilities Studies Minor benefiting approximately 500 undergraduate students.

The Unit Director, CDS has primary responsibilities for developing, implementing, and managing the units portfolio of projects; facilitating the support of the unit through grants and contracts; cultivating relationships with University, federal, State, and community partners; conducting research and model demonstration projects; providing the translational pivot between research and application; and influencing policy and practice to enhance the positive impact on individuals with disabilities and their families. The Unit Director develops and promotes collaborative ventures with and among stakeholders in the nation, State, and region and as a member of the CDS Management Team contributes to the visioning and implementation of the Centers strategic agenda.

Under the limited direction of the Director of the Center for Disabilities Studies, (CDS) the Director of the Transition, Education and Employment Model (TEEM) Unit develops, implements, and oversees research, evaluation, training, and service projects focusing on transition and postsecondary services for youth and adults with disabilities in line with the missions of the College of Education & Human Development and University Centers on Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. The Unit Director also directs the Career & Life Studies Certificate Program (CLSC), a model comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) project, and Spectrum Scholars, a college-to-career support program for undergraduate students on the autism spectrum funded by JPMorganChase.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Formulates unit policies, develops long-term objectives for the unit, and makes operating decisions that affect the unit.
• Develops and secures competitive federal and State grant proposals; manages and evaluates grants and contracts.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships and collaborations with federal and State agencies and national and community organizations to expand, influence, and promote high quality, innovative practices and scholarship on transition and postsecondary services and supports for youth and adults with disabilities.
• Assists internal and external stakeholders in the application of knowledge to practice and the translation of practical challenges into questions for empirical investigation.
• Fosters research and programmatic collaboration among units at the University of Delaware to promote high quality, innovative practices and scholarship on transition and postsecondary services for youth and adults with disabilities.
• Manages and has fiscal responsibility for a sizable and complex unit budget.
• Performs complex analyses of data involving numerous variables, synthesizes and interprets information for a variety of constituencies, and makes recommendations based on analyses.
• Oversees the day-to-day operations of the TEEM Unit to assure that project objectives are met including research and evaluation.
• Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and controls projects and serves as a lead researcher/of the TEEM Unit and its portfolio of projects.
• Establishes research methodology, protocols, and procedures.
• Exercises a high degree of creativity, foresight, and judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding activities of importance.
• Hires, trains, supervises, and evaluates unit staff including professional staff, graduate assistants, and undergraduate students.
• Reviews reports and maintains records as necessary to meet all requirements of funding sources.
• Provides consultation and technical assistance to federal, State, and community agencies.
• Authors/co-authors international, national, and State conference presentations and assures the dissemination of project information at national and international conferences.
• Authors/co-authors scholarly articles, reports, and other professional publications.
• Serves as a member of the CDS Management Team and contributes to strategic planning for the Center.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree, doctorate preferred, in Education, Human Development, Family Studies, Sociology, Public Policy, or related discipline and five years’ experience in the education or human services fields.
• Background in research methods and applications.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated track record in developing, organizing, and managing impactful projects as well as conducting systematic analysis and developing solutions to complex problems.
• Effective interpersonal, leadership, and collaboration skills.
• Advanced knowledge of competitive contracts and grants development and management.
• Demonstrated track record in securing extramural funding.
• The ability to develop reports and manuscripts based on original research/evaluation.
• Skill in organizing resources and establishing priorities.
• Advanced skills in budget preparation and management and the ability to develop financial plans and manage resources.
• Experience at the intersection of intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health preferred
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to attend meetings off campus at various locations around Delaware, attend national conferences and other out-of-state events, and have regular access to a private means of transportation.