Post-Doctoral Research Associate - Special Education

2-Year Post-Doctoral Research Associate – Postsecondary Education Program for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Position Description: WSU ROAR (Responsibility Opportunities Advocacy and Respect) is an inclusive, residential postsecondary education program for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities in Pullman, WA with funding from the U.S. Department of Education. We are seeking a 2-year post-doctoral scholar to support the expansion, coordination, and delivery of employment services for college-age students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This postdoctoral scholar will support and conduct research related to enhancing employment services; including work-related interventions, professional development and training of staff and partners, and strengthening partnerships within the community. The post-doctoral scholar will also have opportunities to conduct research in their own areas of interest related to inclusive postsecondary education and/or supporting transition of students with disabilities. This postdoctoral scholar will join our team of nationally recognized TPSID principal investigators and program staff for 2-years to expand, coordinate, and deliver employment services for WSU ROAR; and, participate in other aspects of postsecondary education program design, implementation, evaluation, research, and dissemination. This post-doctoral scholar will receive individualized mentorship aligned with their career goals; gain valuable experiences in coordinating, delivering, evaluating and engaging in scholarship related to employment services in postsecondary education programs; and develop skills in professionalism, content area expertise, collaboration and social networking, employment service delivery, program design and coordination, project management, and dissemination/scholarship. The post-doctoral scholar will be given a reasonable technology budget to support their work, and access to funds that will support professional memberships and local, state, regional, and/or national travel associated with the project. We strongly encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities.

Duties and Responsibilities: The post-doctoral would be responsible for the following tasks:

• Lead WSU ROAR’s Employment Services for approximately 20 students each year, with the help of a part-time graduate assistant. This includes, but is not limited to, using student preferences, interests, needs, and strengths to guide career development and exploration activities, and workplace readiness skills; strengthen partnerships with local employers to facilitate 10 hours a week of integrated work-based learning experiences (e.g., job shadowing, service-learning, internships) and competitive integrated employment opportunities for each student; and support post-program employment outcomes.

• Participate in evaluation, research, and scholarship related to career development and employment services for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities in postsecondary education programs. Mentorship and support for additional research related to personal expertise and interest will also be provided. Submit two or more manuscripts or products (insight briefs, fast facts, etc.) for publication each year.

• Expand background knowledge and research-informed expertise related to secondary special education and transition, person-centered planning, career development and exploration, workplace readiness skills, job development and placement, and other related employment services in postsecondary education programs.

• Share information and support student recruitment through participation in local, regional, and national outreach and advocacy activities to students, families, practitioners, and policy makers about postsecondary education programs This includes participation in one or more ThinkCollege Affinity Groups, ThinkCollege professional development and technical assistance activities, and other opportunities that facilitate professional development and regional and national collaboration between postsecondary education programs.

• Participate in regular (e.g., weekly/bi-weekly) supervision and mentorship meetings with one or more TPSID principal investigators.

• Join the broader WSU College of Education community and collaborate with students, faculty, and staff to foster healthy relationships and expand knowledge and innovation.

• Other assigned duties related to the WSU ROAR program.

Additional Information about Washington State University and Pullman: Washington State University is one of two comprehensive, research-intensive (R-1) public universities in the State of Washington. Washington State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Educator and Employer. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply. WSU is committed to excellence through diversity and faculty-friendly policy action, including partner accommodation and NSF ADVANCE Institutional Transformation programs (http://www.advance.wsu.edu/). WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521(v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Pullman, WA is a dynamic center of higher education and research located in the rural Inland Northwest. The region is home to two land grant universities, Washington State University and the University of Idaho located just eight miles to the east in Moscow, Idaho. Washington’s second-largest city, Spokane, is located 75 miles north of Pullman. Demographics Daily designated Pullman a “dreamtown,” reflecting the city’s exceptionally high quality of life. Bloomberg Businessweek named Pullman the “Best Places to Raise Your Kids” in Washington. The city also boasts one of the highest percentages of graduate degrees among U.S. micropolitan areas, and its public school system has been ranked among the top 100 in the country. Excellent outdoor recreation opportunities – including hiking/backpacking, camping, foraging, fishing, cycling (road, gravel, and mountain), skiing/snowshoeing, and boating – are within reach. To learn more about the Pullman community, visit pullmanchamber.com. To learn more about the neighboring Moscow community, visit: visitmoscowid.com

Required Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in special education, vocational rehabilitation counseling, counseling psychology, psychology, social work, education, or a related field (conferred by position start date).

• At least 2-years of experience working with students and/or young adults with disabilities, including those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, in an educational and/or related setting.

• Knowledge of research, theories, literature, policies, and trends in career development, employment, and educational programs for secondary age students with disabilities and demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge in practice.

• Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and evaluate effective plans, programs, policies, and practices related to the education of students/young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

• Strong written and oral communication skills, including excellent interpersonal communication, written reports and correspondence, and presentations for large and small audiences.

• Demonstrated ability to engage in evaluation, research and scholarship related to secondary special education and transition for students with disabilities, including those with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.

• Demonstrated ability to engage in advocacy and outreach activities, such as building relationships with employers, collaborating with community partners, and presenting to various program stakeholders.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Strong skills in the use of Microsoft Office programs, and other technologies

Preferred Qualifications:

• Dissertation/scholarship related to career development and employment services for young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities within inclusive post-secondary education programming and/or secondary transition services for students with disabilities.

• Advanced skills in one or more areas of educational research methods.

• Prior experience supporting career development and employment services for young adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in a postsecondary education program within a post-secondary education or K-12 setting.

• Prior teaching experience in a secondary special education setting (e.g., middle- or high-school), and/or working with community agencies that provide services to underserved populations.

• Prior experience coordinating educational programs and managing budgets.

• Seeking preparation for a tenure-track faculty position at a researchintensive institution.

The Post-doctoral Scholar will gain clinical experience in:

• Inclusive postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability

• Transition and employment services and research based practices for students with intellectual disability

Opportunities are also available to:

• Assist in conducting program evaluation activities for a large federal grant

• Gain experience in grant writing

• Conduct applied research focused on inclusive postsecondary education

• Engage in teaching/instruction

Application Procedures and Materials: Submit application materials in a single email to marcus.poppen@wsu.edu.

Application materials include:

• Cover Letter/Statement detailing the applicant’s fit with the position description, and clearly communicates how the applicant meets all required qualifications and preferred qualifications (if applicable) – not to exceed 5 pages.

• Curriculum Vitae

• One scholarly writing sample

• Two letters of recommendation

Please direct questions regarding the position to Marcus Poppen: marcus.poppen@wsu.edu

Application Deadline: The screening process will begin on February 28th, 2021 and continue until the position has been filled.