NOTICE OF SEDL VACANCY

POSITION TITLE: PROGRAM ASSOCIATE in Disability Research

Opens: December 21, 2009
Closes: Application review begins January 15, 2010

This EXEMPT position is based in SEDL’s Austin office.

SEDL UNIT: DISABILITY RESEARCH TO PRACTICE (DRP) PROGRAM

BASIC PURPOSE: This individual will lead in preparing, analyzing, and facilitating analytical research methodologies to identify high quality scientific evidence in the disability and rehabilitation research arena. As part of this effort, will work directly with a national audience of disability and rehabilitation researchers and will contribute to systematic reviews of international research evidence organizations such as the Campbell Collaboration and the Cochrane Collaboration. This individual will collect, analyze, review, develop, and facilitate effective strategies to move best practice disability and rehabilitation information into use through knowledge translation activities. Themes of current DRP program work include: autism, research utilization, knowledge translation, systematic review, employment and disability, and technology transfer.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

* Conduct, review, refine, update, and discuss systematic reviews in the disability and rehabilitation area especially those dealing with individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
* Develop materials and utilization strategies appropriate for a broad range of stakeholders regarding vocational rehabilitation models, employment strategies, and high quality best practice outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD).
* Develop, organize, and implement knowledge translation strategies that enhance the knowledge of researchers concerning research design characteristics and methodologies that affect rigor and overall quality of findings. Research designs covered will include those aimed at producing new knowledge at the discovery, theory, method, and intervention levels.
* Conduct planning, individualized technical assistance, and training activities through consultation, presentations at large and small meetings, Web casts, workshops, and other formats on current research findings associated with ASD, and knowledge translation techniques appropriate for federally-funded grant projects in the disability area.
* Collect, develop, and update web-based resources dealing with research findings, disability-related journals, best practice models, and systematic reviews.
* Organize, collaborate in, and implement activities of the National Center for the Dissemination of Disability Research (NCDDR) Task Force on Knowledge Translation and Knowledge Value Mapping and the Community of Practice on Outreach to Diverse Audiences.
* Facilitate project-oriented evaluation data collection and reporting activities.
* Develop scholarly articles for publication in journals and other venues.
* Work collegially with DRP program staff to develop and maintain strategies to facilitate movement of research to practice through such vehicles as research registries, research evidence utilization and planning strategies, and resource libraries that benefit a variety of stakeholder groups including the public, people with disabilities and their families, the scientific research community, and governmental sponsors.
* Facilitate the conceptualization and development of research-oriented plans and new proposals to expand the knowledge translation resources and research activities within the DRP program.
Perform other duties as may be assigned by the DRP Program Manager.

* indicates an essential function of the position

MINIMUM SKILLS REQUIRED: Demonstrated skills in designing and conducting rigorous research studies. Strong conceptual, analytic, and statistical skills, oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated ability to plan and implement technical assistance and training activities with researchers and to develop and secure publication of scholarly journal articles. Sensitivity working with multilingual, multiethnic, and multi-racial coworkers and constituencies along with proficient use of computer statistical software and word processing software. Awareness and ability to communicate with large range of stakeholders in areas related to vocational rehabilitation and individuals with ASD.

MINIMUM EDUCATION REQUIRED: Earned Master's degree from an accredited university or college in research science, psychology, vocational rehabilitation, special education, education, communication science, or a related field with an emphasis in rigorous research designs, methods, and analyses. Doctoral degree is a plus.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED: Seven years successful, relevant work experience in conducting knowledge translation activities, ASD service delivery, rigorous research studies, and producing syntheses and/or systematic reviews of disability and rehabilitation research. Experience in writing awareness-level and technical materials for use in planning, leading, and implementing high quality knowledge translation efforts, research projects, and disability-related programs of work. Evidence of successful development activities with the federal government, state governments, or foundations is a plus. Personal experience with disability or rehabilitation practice is a plus.

WILL BE SUPERVISED BY: Program Manager, Disability Research to Practice program

TRAVEL: Individual must be willing and able to perform all travel (including overnight and commercial airline travel) that is necessary to accomplish the principal accountabilities associated with (and/or the essential functions of) the position. Travel for this position is estimated at 20%.

SALARY: Program Associate is on Pay Grade 13 of SEDL's Salary Structure. The total salary range is $69,312 - $104,628. The initial salary shall generally fall within the first third of the range, which is $69,312 - $81,084. Initial salary is dependent upon the successful applicant's relevant experience and education; plus benefits.

Funding for this position is made available from several national projects and is considered "soft money". Continued employment is dependent upon SEDL's needs, the availability of funds, and the staff member's satisfactory performance. The successful applicant will be employed initially on a probationary basis generally not to exceed six months.

SEDL does not discriminate against staff members or applicants because of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, or disability. SEDL also implements Affirmative Action Policies and procedures as required by the Office of Federal Contracts Compliance Program of the U.S. Department of Labor. SEDL does comply with City indoor air ordinances by prohibiting smoking of any kind, at any time, in any portion of SEDL's space in any of it's offices. SEDL maintains a Drug-Free and Alcohol-Free Workplace as required by state and federal law. NOTE: If offered employment by SEDL, the successful applicant shall be required to allow SEDL to examine her/his valid original U.S.A. Social Security Number Card and other such documents as may be required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as evidence of identity and employment eligibility.

SEDL reserves the right to (a) not fill this position or (b) re-open this position's notice of vacancy. The applicant should be aware that, as a condition of employment, SEDL may require a release of information concerning (a) a background security check or (b) status of your driving record (if position requires travel).

TO APPLY: Please e-mail your letter of interest, curriculum vitae or resume, and a writing sample to careers@sedl.org. Word documents and PDFs are acceptable. Electronic submissions are preferred, but if you would rather mail your application materials, send them to:

Tracy Hoes, Human Resources Assistant
SEDL
4700 Mueller Blvd.
Austin, TX 78723

DEADLINE: Application review begins January 15, 2010. Position will remain open until filled. Check SEDL's Web site (http://www.sedl.org/about/careers.html) or call SEDL to determine status of position.