MCH Technical Assistance Program Manager - Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), Silver Spring, MD

Organization: The Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD), a leading national disability organization, promotes and supports a national network of interdisciplinary centers on disabilities. Its member centers represent every US state and territory, including: 67 University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), 52 Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) Programs, and 14 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 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. This position is supported by federal funds and is contingent upon continued funding. This will be an in-office position once AUCD begins a phased return to the office. At this time, AUCD is remote through March 2021, and do not know when a phased in return will take place after that time.

Position Overview: AUCD is seeking a highly qualified, full-time, bilingual Program Manager who is fluent in both English and Spanish to provide technical assistance (TA) to interdisciplinary training and research programs/centers across the United States. These programs train professionals to use valid and reliable screening and diagnostic tools, in addition to providing evidence-based interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (DD). TA actively promotes continued improvement for individual programs and the fulfillment of broader workforce development goals outlined in the Autism CARES Act, which funds both LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) and Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) training programs.  The person in this role will: (1) manage TA projects, initiatives, and meetings that address the objectives of AUCD's cooperative agreement with MCHB's Division of MCH Workforce Development and training program needs; (2) work closely with programmatic partner organizations in the ASD/DD community, (3) support ongoing needs assessment and project evaluation efforts, (4) facilitate the provision of individualized TA through site visits and other mechanisms, and (5) support the Spanish Language Caucus, workgroups, and other entities that serve as platforms for addressing emerging training and public health issues.

The Program Manager will report to the Senior Program Manager of MCH TA but will also have specific responsibilities for the fulfillment of the UCEDD (University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities) Resource Center's TA contract as well as work closely with other teams at AUCD including: Communications, Public Health, and Policy.

Job Responsibilities

Technical Assistance

• Serve as team lead on key projects/initiatives, such as: (a) targeted TA to DBP programs (b) Focused Assistance to Support Training (FAST) projects and (c) Spanish-Language Caucus activities; engage in priority setting, activity planning and implementation, continuous evaluation, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Work with AUCD staff, network members, and external stakeholders to develop and strategically disseminate resources (e.g., informational webinars, web content, best practice documents), including those in Spanish.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Represent AUCD on advisory groups, and at meetings and conferences locally and nationally; deliver presentations and posters on work completed or in progress.
• Manage and work to strengthen relationships with programmatic partner organizations from the broader ASD/DD and Latinx communities.
• Work collaboratively with AUCD staff, network members, and external stakeholders to promote health equity, diversity, cultural and linguistic competence, and inclusion.

 Data Management and Analysis

• Assist in data collection and completion of progress reports, continuation and supplemental applications, and competitive renewal applications to funder.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of needs assessments, as well as activity and project evaluation approaches.

Program Coordination

• Facilitate LEND and DBP site visits in collaboration with the funder, including peer consultant engagement, report preparation, and programmatic follow up with participating programs.
• Monitor and adhere to project budgets; oversee sub-awardee progress toward stated objectives and invoicing.
• Carry out other activities that further the mission and goals of AUCD.

Emerging Issues

• Provide staff support to AUCD and national LEND network entities (work groups, AUCD Councils, Special Interest Groups, etc.) that are topically relevant to cooperative agreement objectives and poised to address emerging training and public health issues.

Personnel

• Represent the interests of LENDs and DBPs, including emerging leaders, in the context of broader AUCD initiatives (e.g., strategic planning, communications, leadership development).
• As needed, act as backup for the Sr. Manager, Maternal and Child Health Technical Assistance and perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Native or bilingual proficiency in Spanish.
• Master's degree in a social science, education, administration, public health, policy, or other relevant field (or equivalent professional experience).
• At least three years of professional experience in human services, health sciences, disability, public health, or related fields.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of issues, policy initiatives, research, and practice related to health and quality of life for people with ASD/DD of all ages, and their families and communities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, including in writing, and adapt communication appropriately for purpose and audience, including Spanish-speaking audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple detailed tasks with accuracy while responding to changing priorities in a fast-paced office environment.
• Demonstrated ability to build culturally responsive relationships diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated capacity to engage partners from Latinx communities.
• Demonstrated proficiency in using word processing, database and spreadsheet software, web tools, and social media tools to communicate and exchange information.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively with others on team and across teams.
• Working knowledge of program evaluation and quality improvement practices.
• Organization, prioritization, resourcefulness, and creativity.
• Ability to travel for site visits, typically 2-3 days at a time, approximately 3 times per year.

Desired Qualifications:

• Personal or professional experience with disabilities.
• Prior completion of LEND or DBP training program at an AUCD member site.
• Experience in providing technical assistance and consultation in topics related to workforce development, early childhood screening and diagnosis, disability, capacity building, systems change, and/or leadership in higher education settings.
• Experience adhering to programmatic budgets.

Benefits 
The salary range for this position is $55,000-$60,000. 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 Jackie Czyzia (jczyzia@aucd.org) with "Application for Program Manager, MCH TA" 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.

www.aucd.org