JOB POSTING
General Summary of Position:
The UMass Boston/Special Olympics Global Collaborating Center is a research unit at the Center for Social Development and Education (CSDE). Part of the Global Collaborating Center’s mission is to carry out program evaluation for Special Olympics at the national and international levels. This position oversees the evaluation of Special Olympic’s (SO) newest federally funded project, Project Unify.
The overall purpose of project UNIFY is to promote school communities where all young people are agents of inclusion, respect, dignity and advocacy toward people with Intellectual Disabilities (ID). The demonstration program will serve as a basis for establishing a sustaining program nationally to support children, youth and young adults with ID, as they become part of the fabric of the educational community. As part of project UNIFY, today’s youth will gain knowledge, develop better attitudes and a real commitment for working on behalf of people with ID and, as a consequence, the lives of people with ID will be greatly enhanced, in school and beyond.
The Program Evaluation Manager (PEM) will be responsible for directing a national evaluation (in 30 States) that documents the successes and challenges of implementing project UNIFY and its impact on all participants, and incorporate what is learned into the program’s improvement, as well as expansion, in the remaining 20 States. As part of the evaluation this individual will be expected to travel and become familiar with Project Unify sites located across the country.
The position is funded for 2 years and may be available for a third year.
Examples of Duties:
In the first year, Project Unify will be implemented in thirty states. The PEM will be directly responsible coordinating 30 Special Olympics State Directors, as they relate to the evaluation, as well as for the supervision and training of graduate assistants who will assist in the program evaluation.
He/she will be responsible for designing the evaluation questionnaires, coordinating telephone and personal interviews, and organizing state and national mailed and web-based surveys.
He/she will also be responsible for guiding the development of the data management system for collecting, coding and analyzing data within and across state SO programs.
MinimumQualifications:
Masters in Educational Psychology or related field that involves tests and measurement and program evaluation is required, Doctorate highly preferred. Requires 3-5 years of significant research experience to include: development of surveys/questionnaires, data collection using electronic media, and supervising teams of researchers. Knowledge of and experience in questionnaire development for telephone and personal interviews as well as observation, developing survey questions, telephone interviewing and system observation. Experience in program evaluation at the State and or national level is required. Knowledge of intellectual disabilities and youth activation programming is recommended. Excellent organizational skills and writing skills required. Must have previously published in referenced journals.
Supervision Received/Exercised:
The PEM will be under the direct supervision of the Center’s Director. The PEM must be able to work independently, with little supervision.
The PEM will directly supervise 2-3 Graduate Assistants and one full time Research Assistant, all of which will be located at UMass Boston. Thus, the ability to orchestrate a very busy and complicated schedule is critical.
Salary and benefits: Starting salary range $50,000-$60,000. fully benefited. Grant funded.
Start date: September 2008
How to Apply: Please email resumes/CV and cover letter to greg.tilley@umv.edu. No phone calls please.
