Associate Director, Assistive Technology
The Institute on Disabilities at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA is seeking a dynamic, passionate, innovative thinker and person of action to lead our statewide federal Assistive Technology (AT) Act program, known as TechOWL. The Institute’s team members engage in meaningful work that advances individuals and communities impacted by disability. The AT Program uses a social service model, providing everyone served with information and resources to make informed decisions regarding assistive technology.
The Assistive Technology Associate Director reports to the Executive Director of the Institute on Disabilities and is responsible for coordinating all aspects of all AT projects and programs at the Institute. The incumbent will directly supervise staff members and many individual federal-and state- sponsored projects. The AT Associate Director will be responsible for grant writing and project implementation, program compliance, completion, and evaluation, along with writing progress and final reports to funders. The AT Associate Director will develop collaborative relationships with state agencies as required by the 21st Century Assistive Technology Act of 2022 (“AT Act”). The AT Associate Director will conduct training sessions to build provider skills in AT and provide technical assistance to state entities and service providers related to policy and practices on the delivery of AT services. They will oversee assessments and services and maintain the Institute's third-party funding relationships and capacity to conduct fee- for-service assistive technology and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) assessments. The AT Associate Director will develop new and nurture continuing relationships with personnel preparation programs. This position requires extensive experience with assistive technology devices and services.
Essential Functions of Position:
- Supervises AT staff.
- Oversees relationships with funders and stakeholders of all AT projects with direction from the Executive Director.
- Ensures compliance with the AT Act by establishing collaborative relationships with state agencies as required by the AT Act (e.g., Dept. of Education, Dept. of Vocational Rehabilitation, State Medicaid Agencies, and any other agencies in PA that fund AT).
- Ensures that all requirements of the AT Act are included in the AT Program.
- Coordinates with Assistant Director of AT to expand membership of the AT Advisory Council to include additional representation as required by the AT Act. Meets with AT Advisory Council a minimum of two times per program year.
- Coordinates with Executive Director regarding scope and implementation of deliverables under the Pennsylvania State and City of Philadelphia contracts.
- Maintains and expands the Institute's third-party funding relationships and capacity to conduct fee for service AT and AAC assessments (including OVR, school districts, private pay).
- Develops new and nurtures continuing relationships with personnel preparation programs, especially with Temple University’s College of Public Health, and relevant programs in the College of Education and Human Development, by offering pre-service training and guest lecturing.
- Teaches undergraduate Assistive Technology course for the Special Education program.
- Actively seeks new funding sources to sustain or initiate model AT/AAC services and projects (e.g., grant writing).
- Conducts training, building provider skills in AT services.
- Provides technical assistance to state entities as well as service providers related to policy and practices in the delivery of AT services and supports.
- Prepares grant renewal applications and program reports.
- Has an extensive knowledge of assistive technology equipment for all disability categories.
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in assistive technology or other related discipline preferred. Five (5) or more years of experience in program development, management, marketing, and AT service delivery. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
Preferred:
- Master’s Degree
- Assistive Technology Professional Certification.
- Lived experience and/or personal connection to disability.
Required Skills & Abilities:
- Demonstrated abilities in grant writing, project implementation, completion, and evaluation.
- Demonstrated ability to create and conduct individual and group training sessions and build provider skills in AT/AAC services.
- Strong leadership and supervisory skills and ability to manage, develop, motivate, and evaluate staff.
- Demonstrated knowledge of augmentative communication technologies and ability to assess their practical use.
- Excellent interpersonal and collaboration skills and ability to train and work with di verse groups of people, including persons with disabilities, families, and direct support professionals.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong customer service orientation
- Strong critical thinking skills and ability to recognize problems or situations without clear precedent, evaluate solutions and implement change.
- Ability to handle a variety of tasks simultaneously and manage time/meet deadlines.
- Demonstrated proficiency with personal computers, the internet and MS Office software programs, especially, MS Power Point, MS Word, MS Excel.
- Willingness and ability to travel to off-site locations that may not be accessible via public transportation, including Commonwealth of Pa and Washington, DC. Some overnight travel may be required.
Required Background Checks & Clearances:
- Cash Handling
- PA Child Abuse
- Personal identifiable Information
This position is assigned a hybrid work arrangement (on-campus and remote), the duration of this hybrid work arrangement is at the discretion of Temple University and the Department.
Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.
BecomeapartoftheTemplefamilyandyouwillhaveaccesstothefollowing:
- A hybrid work schedule
- Full medical, dental, vision coverage Paid time off
- 11 Paid Holidays (including the day after Thanksgiving & winter break)
- Tuition remission - eligible employees and their dependents can obtain a degree TUITION FREE
- A generous retirement plan and more.
Apply on the Temple University website: https://temple.taleo.net/careersection/tu_ex_staff/jobdetail.ftl?job=24000742&tz=GMT-04%3A00&tzname=America%2FNew_York