The salary range for this position is $9,167.00 per month depending upon qualifications and is non-negotiable.

This position will be assigned to work as an integral member of the Interwork Institute and its associated projects. The Interwork Institute promotes the integration of all individuals, including those with disabilities, into all aspects of education, work, family, and community life. The Institute conducts research, training, and education using various strategies, including distance learning technologies. Current efforts include promoting universal design and the full integration of all individuals in our communities. Education and research involve organizations and individuals in all states, tribal communities, the Pacific Basin, Asia, and Europe. In addition to supporting the overall work of the Institute, this position will support the program implementation and continuous quality improvement activities of the Employment Transition Model Demonstration (ETM) project within the Interwork Institute. The ETM is a 5-year demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) that involves a partnership between the New York State Department of Labor and the New York State Office of Mental Health to increase transition outcomes for youth with disabilities through access to a variety of education, training, employment, and other life supports. The position will be responsible for the project's continuous quality improvement and technical assistance activities, as directed by the Project Director and Principal Investigator. The position will also support other projects related to the transition and employment of people with disabilities as they become available.

Related to the ETM work, the position will design, implement, and conduct continuous quality improvement (CQI) efforts using improvement science principles to support the effective execution of the project while assisting the national evaluator. Additionally, the position will design and deliver program training and technical assistance to four regions of New York participating in the ETM with a special emphasis on building strong partnerships with Special Education and in-school youth. 

Related to the Interwork Institute’s work, the position will support and generate contracts and grant funding for projects aligned with the Institute's mission and vision, with a particular emphasis on building work in the state of North Carolina and partnerships with the National Technical Assistance Center for Trantision based out of the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Additionally, the role may involve working on other funded projects, assisting teams to achieve project goals, and collaborating with other staff within the Institute as needed.

The Program Specialist is responsible for, but not limited to:

Implementing the program CQI efforts. The position will work under the direction of the Principal Investigator, Dr. Karhan and the Project Director, Dr. McConnell, to collaborate with other SDSURF staff, New York Department of Labor staff, ODEP staff, and other project partners, providing evaluation, technical assistance, and training to project staff on ETM implementation. Concerning other projects, the position will collaborate with other SDSURF staff to identify and apply for funding projects that align with the mission of the Interwork Institute.

The duties of the position will vary in intensity depending on need but will primarily be divided as follows:

Design, conduct, and direct program evaluation activities – 95%

• Effectively and accurately measure the effectiveness of training and technical assistance provided by the ETM leadership in support of local-level ETM staff situated within four local workforce development areas across NY;
• Revise and utilize the ETM logic model and conceptual frame to ensure effective implementation of the ETM;
• Assist the ETM staff in gathering and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data for program evaluation and CQI;
• Support the implementation of the Networked Improvement Community efforts across all ETM sites to develop and advance improvement plans to advance project goals;
• Develop and administer surveys, focus groups, and interviews and conduct primary and secondary data analysis to gather information for quality improvement and create reports and other dissemination;
• Conduct topical training, based upon the candidate’s areas of expertise, including special education and transition, to ETM staff on topics identified in the training needs assessment
• Partner with the University of North Carolina – Charlotte on accessing tools related to transition for students with disabilities to support the NY ETM project.
• Assist in completing quarterly, semi-annual, and annual program evaluation reports in support of the NYS Department of Labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy and
• Support the national evaluation team in administering a research framework in alignment with the goals of the U.S. Department of Labor;
• Participate in team meetings for the ETM and the Interwork Institute.

Other Duties and Responsibilities as Assigned - 5%

• Pursue potential funding opportunities with the State of North Carolina related to projects associated with Special Education related to IDEA indicators for special education.

Build partnerships with the University of North Carolina – Charlotte to advance the transition process for students with disabilities nationally.

QUALIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL SKILLS

Required Education/Experience

MINIMUM EDUCATION

• Equivalent to a master’s degree in an appropriate field related to the program/project.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• Six years of experience at a *Program Specialist II level, two years of which were in a position with a high level of responsibility and requiring specialized skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate Degree

• At least two years conducting and directing program evaluation activities for large projects.
• Documented history of submitting grant funding for projects
• Documented history of writing articles for peer-reviewed journals

MINIMUM KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Advanced knowledge of research methods, statistics, improvement science, and program evaluation design and implementation (quantitative and qualitative)
• Ability to apply the ETM project design principles to improve the overall transition services for youth and young adults with disabilities.
• Ability to identify gaps in research and public and private services and programs that can be addressed through research, evaluation, or new program activities
• Ability to write proposals for funding to public and private sector entities
• Ability to supervise and mentor junior staff
• Exceptional writing and verbal skills
• Ability to gather and analyze research data and in compiling data for reports and summaries
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports; draft and compose correspondence, standard reports, and spreadsheets
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and to adopt a practical course of action.
• Ability to independently handle multiple work unit priorities and projects
• Ability to display strong interpersonal skills interacting professionally with community partners and Interwork staff
• Knowledge and experience with quantitative and qualitative analysis software (e.g., SPSS, NVivo, etc.)
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or related programs, and online databases to track data & provide reports

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.  
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support. 
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.  
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.