Assistant Director, Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL)

Gallaudet University

17d•Remote

About The Position

OVERVIEW: The Laurent Clerc National Deaf Education Center at Gallaudet University is a federally funded center with exemplary elementary and secondary education programs for deaf and hard of hearing students and is tasked with developing and disseminating innovative curricula, instructional techniques, and products nationwide while providing information, training, and technical assistance for parents and professionals to meet the needs of deaf and hard of hearing students from birth to age 21. Job Title: Assistant Director, Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) Worker Type: Regular Pay Type: Salary Exempt Status: Yes Compensation Grade (Track/Level): CM1 Hiring Range (Commensurate with experience and qualifications): Salary Ranges (All Compensation Grades): Clerc Center Supervisory Organization (Department): National Programs and Outreach - EI Summary: Reporting to the Director of National Programs and Outreach (Early Intervention), the Assistant Director of Regional Early Acquisition of Language (REAL) provides strategic leadership and oversees project implementation, fiscal management, stakeholder engagement, and professional development efforts that advance early language acquisition for deaf and hard of hearing children and their families. Job Description: Leads the regional hub advancing early language access by guiding vision, planning, and implementation of REAL East initiatives. Ensures coordinated regional progress aligned with federal requirements, state systems, and the Clerc Center’s national priorities. Drives continuous improvement and innovation while maintaining accountability for outcomes and deliverables. Oversees federal resources to maximize national and regional impact through oversight of budget strategy, expenditures, contracts, and fiscal reporting. Collaborates with institutional leadership to ensure compliance with university, grant, and regulatory requirements while supporting long-term sustainability. Designs, implements, and refines policies, procedures, and operational systems that support efficient, accountable, and scalable REAL Center implementation. Establishes structures that strengthen coordination across regional and national activities. Supervises, mentors, and supports the team within a collaborative, mission-driven environment grounded in shared purpose, innovation, and continuous learning. Provides leadership in hiring, role clarity, and professional growth while fostering an inclusive and high-performing team culture. Designs and delivers high-quality professional development, technical assistance, and training that strengthens early language acquisition practices across regional and national systems. Engages educators, early intervention providers, medical professionals, and family support networks in building language-rich environments for young children. Cultivates and sustains partnerships with state agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, and national stakeholders to advance coordinated early language initiatives. Travels frequently throughout the 13-state eastern region, and nationally as needed, to support implementation, strengthen partnerships, and expand the reach and effectiveness of REAL efforts. Guides project planning, reporting, and compliance processes to ensure timely completion of federal grant deliverables. Monitors regional progress toward outcomes while supporting innovation and continuous improvement. Champions data-informed impact through oversight of measurements related to language access, family decision-making, and early intervention effectiveness. Serves as a national ambassador for early language access by representing the REAL East Center in conferences, public forums, and collaborative initiatives. Promotes strong relationships, clear communication, and shared commitment among partners working to improve outcomes for deaf children and families. Maintains high standards of professional and ethical conduct; and demonstrates commitment to belonging, safety, and continuous learning through participation in training and workshops. Establishes and maintains a positive and supportive working relationship with co-workers and supervisors. Demonstrates a genuine commitment to belonging in the workplace and participates in activities and workshops to foster continuous learning. Serves as a mandatory reporter under Title IX; and commits to completing Title IX training and other compliance requirements on an annual basis. Prioritizes safety in the workplace as a collective responsibility for the well-being of employees and fosters a culture of safety that is integral to our success, including strict adherence to safety procedures and protocols, as well as promptly reporting any safety hazards or incidents. Performs related and other duties as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
A minimum of five years of professional experience with early intervention, educational services, or a related field.
Ability to communicate in American Sign Language.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience working with early intervention or early childhood services for deaf or hard of hearing children and families.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities: Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
Strong knowledge of special education laws, educational leadership practices, and current research related to deaf education and early language acquisition.
Strong ability to interpret and apply laws, policies, regulations, and collective bargaining agreements.
Strong proficiency with technology and data systems for reporting and analysis.
Demonstrated experience working with multi-state or national initiatives.
Demonstrated experience with budget management and federal reporting processes.
Demonstrated experience working with interdisciplinary teams or consultants.
Demonstrated ability to work with and across University departments, outside constituents and groups.

Responsibilities

Leads the regional hub advancing early language access by guiding vision, planning, and implementation of REAL East initiatives.
Ensures coordinated regional progress aligned with federal requirements, state systems, and the Clerc Center’s national priorities.
Drives continuous improvement and innovation while maintaining accountability for outcomes and deliverables.
Oversees federal resources to maximize national and regional impact through oversight of budget strategy, expenditures, contracts, and fiscal reporting.
Collaborates with institutional leadership to ensure compliance with university, grant, and regulatory requirements while supporting long-term sustainability.
Designs, implements, and refines policies, procedures, and operational systems that support efficient, accountable, and scalable REAL Center implementation.
Establishes structures that strengthen coordination across regional and national activities.
Supervises, mentors, and supports the team within a collaborative, mission-driven environment grounded in shared purpose, innovation, and continuous learning.
Provides leadership in hiring, role clarity, and professional growth while fostering an inclusive and high-performing team culture.
Designs and delivers high-quality professional development, technical assistance, and training that strengthens early language acquisition practices across regional and national systems.
Engages educators, early intervention providers, medical professionals, and family support networks in building language-rich environments for young children.
Cultivates and sustains partnerships with state agencies, community organizations, educational institutions, and national stakeholders to advance coordinated early language initiatives.
Travels frequently throughout the 13-state eastern region, and nationally as needed, to support implementation, strengthen partnerships, and expand the reach and effectiveness of REAL efforts.
Guides project planning, reporting, and compliance processes to ensure timely completion of federal grant deliverables.
Monitors regional progress toward outcomes while supporting innovation and continuous improvement.
Champions data-informed impact through oversight of measurements related to language access, family decision-making, and early intervention effectiveness.
Serves as a national ambassador for early language access by representing the REAL East Center in conferences, public forums, and collaborative initiatives.
Promotes strong relationships, clear communication, and shared commitment among partners working to improve outcomes for deaf children and families.
Maintains high standards of professional and ethical conduct; and demonstrates commitment to belonging, safety, and continuous learning through participation in training and workshops.
Establishes and maintains a positive and supportive working relationship with co-workers and supervisors.
Demonstrates a genuine commitment to belonging in the workplace and participates in activities and workshops to foster continuous learning.
Serves as a mandatory reporter under Title IX; and commits to completing Title IX training and other compliance requirements on an annual basis.
Prioritizes safety in the workplace as a collective responsibility for the well-being of employees and fosters a culture of safety that is integral to our success, including strict adherence to safety procedures and protocols, as well as promptly reporting any safety hazards or incidents.
Performs related and other duties as needed.