Training/Developmental Specialist III - Utah State University

Overview:

The primary duty of this position is to support the Institute for Disability Research, Policy and Practice - Research and Training Division on a Partnerships for Progress project. The project is designed to expand access to secondary transition services and pre-employment transition services for youth with disabilities.

 

Exempt positions are eligible for excellent benefits, including 13 paid holidays, 22 days of earned vacation leave, 12 days of sick leave per year, a 50% tuition reduction for employees and dependents, competitive health benefits packages, and a generous contribution to your retirement. View more information here: Summary of Benefits 2024-2025.

 

This position is eligible for hybrid work within the state of Utah.

Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities for this position are outlined below. Training efforts are targeted at vocational rehabilitation professionals, secondary transition professionals, pre-employment transition service providers, students with disabilities and their families, and others.

 

Content Development and Customization

• Design and develop high-quality, engaging, and accessible synchronous and asynchronous learning materials tailored to the specific needs of transition-aged youth with disabilities.
• Collaborate with subject matter experts to ensure content is accurate, relevant, and aligned with current best practices in disability services and transition planning.
• Customize content to be inclusive and accessible for various types of disabilities, including cognitive, physical, sensory, and emotional/behavioral disabilities, ensuring adherence to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 standards.
• Develop comprehensive learning modules covering essential topics such as Pre-Employment Transition Services, vocational training, post-secondary education, social skills, self-advocacy, financial literacy, supported employment, etc.

Instructional Technology Integration

• Utilize instructional technologies and multimedia tools to create interactive, user-friendly content, including videos and infographics, all compliant with WCAG 2.0 guidelines.
• Ensure content compatibility with various assistive technologies, including screen readers, captioning tools, and keyboard navigation, to support diverse learning needs.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with educators, transition coordinators, community rehabilitation providers, and families to understand the unique needs of youth with disabilities and gather feedback for content improvement. 
• Collaborate with community organizations to align content with local resources and services available to youth with disabilities, ensuring it is both relevant and practical.

Evaluation and Quality Assurance

• Continuously review and update content to reflect changes in policies, best practices, and the evolving needs of the target audience, ensuring ongoing relevance and effectiveness.
• Collect and analyze feedback from users to assess the effectiveness of the content and identify areas for improvement, prioritizing accessibility and user experience.

Professional Development

• Stay informed about the latest trends and research in special education, transition planning, assistive technology, and accessibility standards, particularly WCAG 2.0.
• Participate in workshops, conferences, and professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge relevant to the role, including accessibility best practices.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in special education, Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, or a related field.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience working with transition-aged youth with disabilities in an educational, vocational, or rehabilitation setting.
• Proven experience in developing and delivering educational or training content, particularly for individuals with disabilities.
• Knowledge of secondary transition services, pre-employment transition services, and the challenges faced by youth with disabilities during the transition to adulthood.
• Proficiency in creating and delivering both synchronous and asynchronous learning materials.
• Experience with instructional technologies, multimedia tools, and accessibility software.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage with a diverse group of stakeholders, including educators, vocational rehabilitation professionals, and families.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently in a remote or hybrid setting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• More than 3 years of experience in a role that involves supporting transition-aged youth with disabilities, particularly in a vocational or educational context.
• Experience working on projects or initiatives related to the transition of students with disabilities.
• Certifications related to special education, vocational rehabilitation, or accessibility, such as Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) or a related credential.

Required Documents:

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
2. Cover Letter to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”.  Please outline how your qualifications and experience meet the requirements of this position. 
3. Name and contact information for 3 professional references to be entered into Candidate Profile.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary:Minimum $72,000; Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits.ADA:

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

College/Department Highlights:

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP) is Utah’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). The IDRPP opened its doors in 1972 and was the first UCEDD program in the U.S. to focus on the educational and social needs of children and adults with disabilities. Over the past 50 years, the IDRPP has grown into one of the largest UCEDD programs in the nation and is recognized as a pioneer in research, training, technical assistance, and services for children and adults with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who serve them.

 

The IDRPP is committed to hiring people with disabilities, veterans, and diverse individuals from all communities and backgrounds. We value visible and invisible differences, and we recognize that diversity makes us stronger. We welcome applicants who bring something different and unique to our organization. We value creativity, loyalty, and hard work. We believe that we can change the world and make it a better, more inclusive place for everyone, and we want to hire people who also believe that they can make a difference.

 

Mission:

We are working together to create inclusive communities and improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families through sustainable innovation, collaborative research, responsive service, and interdisciplinary training and education.

 

Values:

We Innovate: We lead by developing dynamic, sustainable, forward-thinking programs and services.

We Include: We demonstrate how to effectively work toward inclusive communities in our planning, programs, and services. We celebrate diversity in ability, race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, politics, and religion.

We Collaborate: We forge partnerships. Working together makes us more effective and responsive to the current needs of our clients and communities.

We Care: We do what we do because we care. We are making the world a better place for people with disabilities and their families.

 

Funding StatementThe Institute for Disability Research, Policy, & Practice is one of the largest research and outreach centers at USU, and we are largely funded through grants, contracts, and fee-for-service programs. All staff positions at the IDRPP are contingent upon funding, and all senior staff at the IDRPP with graduate degrees are responsible for helping to generate funding to support our operations and growth.

 

College HighlightsThe Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is home to eight departments and is committed to providing the best learning opportunities and educational research in the state of Utah. Our programs are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. The college offers clinical services to the community across the human lifespan and provides students with real-world service and research opportunities.

University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university, with a strong commitment to excellence, access, and inclusion, empowering people to lead successful lives of involvement, innovation, and impact. Utah State provides high-quality education to 27,500-plus students locations throughout the state, including at three residential campuses, eight statewide campuses, and 23 education centers. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

 

Utah State is committed to cultivating a community of inclusive excellence where all perspectives, values, cultures, and identities are acknowledged, welcomed, and valued. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

 

About the Region

U.S. News and World Report ranked Utah first for its strong economy, fiscal stability, education, and health care. Outstanding outdoor recreational opportunities abound throughout the state, including five national parks, 43 state parks and recreation areas, and 15 alpine ski resorts. The home of USU’s main campus, Logan, is a city of 54,000-plus people in a picturesque mountain valley 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. The Logan metro area claimed the top spot in the Milken Institute’s 2022 ranking for best-performing small cities in the nation. 

 

*updated 04/2024

Notice of Non-discrimination:

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

 

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023