Director of JFK Partners - Open Rank

University of Colorado•Aurora, CO

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of JFK Partners leads a nationally recognized center dedicated to promoting equal opportunity for children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities. The center brings together service providers, researchers, family members, and people with lived experience. The Director serves as Project Director for both the Colorado Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND), funded by HRSA, and the Colorado University Center for Excellence in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (UCEDD), funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), and is responsible for reapplying for these grants. As LEND Project Director, the Director is responsible for all aspects of the LEND program, commits at least 30 percent effort to the project, ensures appropriate use of the MCH training grant, attends LEND and related meetings or designates a representative, and works directly with the MCHB program officer. As UCEDD Project Director, the Director oversees and supports interdisciplinary education, research, dissemination, public service, and advocacy across the University of Colorado School of Medicine and community agencies, and informs state and/or federal legislators. The Director reviews recommendations from JFK Partners’ Community Advisory Committee, collaborates with Disability Justice and the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council, ensures proper use of ACL funding, attends AUCD and related UCEDD meetings or designates a representative, and works directly with the UCEDD program officer. The position is hybrid, with three days per week on campus and additional in-person attendance as needed for meetings. The role may be appointed at the Associate Professor or Professor level based on experience and qualifications.

Requirements

Terminal degree in medicine, education, public administration, public health, law, economics, social sciences, psychology, or a related field, or be a currently approved LEND or UCEDD director.
Extensive experience working with people with disabilities and their families, and with disability-focused agencies or organizations.
Experience as a principal investigator, co-investigator, or grant director.
For Associate Professor rank: at least five years of experience in programs serving people with neurodevelopmental disabilities and/or other special health care needs.
For Professor rank: at least seven years of experience in programs serving people with neurodevelopmental disabilities and/or other special health care needs.
Pass a drug test through Children’s Hospital Colorado if required for access to the hospital or its systems.
Pass a national criminal background check.
Commitment to expanding the professional workforce in the field.
Ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships.
Excellent communication skills related to administration, strategic vision, and improving understanding of research and issues affecting people with disabilities across the lifespan.
Ability to foster a collaborative workplace through team building, sponsorship of junior colleagues, and respect for employees at all organizational levels.
Demonstrated ability to effect systems change supporting policy, legislation, service outcomes, equitable access, and quality of life for people with disabilities.
Ability to foster a workplace culture that values collaboration, intellectual curiosity, mentoring, academic freedom, and diverse perspectives.
Understanding of the AUCD network, particularly the role, purpose, and mission of LEND and UCEDD programs.
Skills and experience in program administration, research, training, outreach, technical assistance, resource development and leverage, and dissemination.
Knowledge and skills related to direct lived experience as a person with a disability and/or family or caregiver experience.

Nice To Haves

Seven or more years of experience in programs serving children and individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities and/or other special health care needs.
Substantial record of research, publications, presentations, and grants administration.
Embodiment of the values of independence, productivity, and community inclusion outlined in the DD Act.
Academic rank of Associate Professor or Professor.

Responsibilities

Lead JFK Partners and oversee discipline directors, other faculty, and staff.
Directly participate in the selection and oversight of fellows and trainees.
Submit grant progress and performance reports on time.
For clinical-discipline appointees, devote a minimum of 0.2 cFTE to the role.
As LEND Project Director, oversee all aspects of the program, ensure proper use of its MCH training grant, attend relevant meetings or designate a representative, and work with the MCHB program officer; the designated Project Director must commit at least 30 percent effort.
As UCEDD Project Director, oversee and support interdisciplinary education, research, dissemination, public service, and advocacy; ensure proper use of ACL funding; attend relevant meetings or designate a representative; and work with the UCEDD program officer.
Review recommendations from JFK Partners’ Community Advisory Committee and collaborate with Disability Justice and the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council.
Provide input on disability policy and advocacy through the annual shared project, directly or through a designee.
Participate in local, regional, national, and/or international disability-related committees.
Lead or participate in efforts to secure incremental extramural funding to support the Director’s professional effort and the programs overall.
Contribute to knowledge related to intellectual and developmental disabilities, special health care needs, health equity, and/or system changes.
Reapply for the LEND and UCEDD grants.