Training Associate

Posting Details

Employees hired into Administrative and Professional positions posted on or after July 1, 2017, will be governed by and, if employed on July 1, 2018 will move into the new University Human Resources System. For additional information, go to http://greatplace.vcu.edu.

Position Number F27500 Is this employee on a H1B Visa? Position Type Teaching and Research Faculty Rank Instructor Working Title Training Associate School/Unit School of Education Department SOESpecEd&DP: RRTC Number of Months 12 Tenure Status Non-Tenure Eligible Grant funded position? Yes - Continuation of this position depends on funding of the grant.
Mission or Goal of Unit

Established in 1983, the Virginia Commonwealth University RRTC provides resources for professionals, individuals with disabilities, and their representatives. Our team of nationally and internationally renowned researchers is committed to developing and advancing evidence-based practices to increase the hiring and retention for individuals with disabilities. The RRTC aims to improve employment opportunities and quality of life in the workforce for individuals with disabilities. In Virginia, the employment rate of working-age individuals with a disability is just 37 percent – 42 percent lower than the rate for those without disabilities. To help those already in the workplace, as well as those looking for work, the RRTC offers training and technical assistance for both employees and employers. The center also conducts research looking into improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities and then shares its results with employers and state agencies.

Related units and projects within the RRTC include the Autism Center for Excellence, the School 2 Work Internship program, and the Center on Transition Innovations. A full list of our projects is available on our website.

Chief purpose of this position in support of above mission or goal

VCU School of Education’s Rehabilitation Research and Training Center ( RRTC ) is seeking an engaged and energetic colleague to serve as a Training Associate in support of the training and technical assistance programs offered to businesses, vocational and community rehabilitation programs as well as job seekers and employees with disabailities and their families. VCU RRTC holds numerous grants and contracts requiring training and technical assistance as a component of their work. This position will provide support primarily to the Vocational Rehabilitation Technical Assistance Center for Quality Employment ( VRTAC -QE). The VRTAC -QE’s goal is to increase the knowledge and skills of state vocational rehabilitation agencies and community partners that help people with disabilities achieve quality employment and career advancement with emphasis on competitive integrated employment.

This position will require the selected individual to develop and deliver face-to-face and online training materials, travel nationally several times per month during and after the COVID -19 pandemic and in accordance with the university travel guidelines and have expertise and experience in supported and customized employment.

Position Responsibilities

The Training Associate is expected to:

•Develop and deliver face-to-face training materials highlighting best practices for hiring, maintain and retain individuals with disabilities designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of businesses, vocational rehabilitation personnel, individuals with disabilities and their families and education staff.

•Have the ability to speak publicly in conference, classroom, and virtual settings (to include web courses, webcasts, audio-video teleconferences) nationally; coordinate training events to include registration, material development, and dissemination following center protocol and ensuring accessibility for all audiences.

•Develop training events and materials that are individualized to meet the needs of a variety of stakeholders.

•Produce materials and provide training and technical assistance nationally to include but not limited to the topics of supported employment, customized employment, vocational and community rehabilitation programs, community-integrated employment, building business relationships, supporting individuals with disabilities in obtaining, retaining, and advancing their employment, assistive technology and compensatory strategies for individuals with a variety of disabilities.

•Respond to information and referral inquiries by training participants and other community members. Information and referral inquiries are addressed and documented as they occur. Ensure the information provided is accurate, professional, and demonstrates respect, honesty, and excellence.

•Identify appropriate training activities and formats, compilation, development, final production, and dissemination. Oversee revisions to current training materials by determining when revisions and/or additions are appropriate and developing a schedule for completion of revisions/additions.

•Utilize a variety of technology for instructional purposes including the development of online courses, web based seminars, and presentations.

•Communicate with supervisor and staff to gather information regarding training activities and ongoing progress and ensure duties are completed in a timely manner to meet course deadlines.

•Facilitate, implement, and evaluating vocational rehabilitation models to meet the unique needs of individuals with disabilities seeking employment across the country.

•Assist vocational and community rehabilitation programs across the country in implementation and evaluation of evidence based practices by providing training and technical assistance to build the capacity and confidence of those who support individuals with disabilities.

•Develop and publish training materials to include training slide decks, fact sheets, guides, infographics, case studies, plain language summaries, journal articles, handbooks, and toolkits.

•Work with research teams to translate knowledge learned into understandable tools and training materials for stakeholders.

•Analyze and interpret complex research information for various audiences and adjust training and technical assistance delivery accordingly.

•Co-author journal articles, book chapters and fact sheets on employment for people with disabilities, autism and transition of youth with disabilities.

•Evaluate live face-to-face and online training activities for a variety or participants to include vocational rehabilitation counselors, employment specialists, employers, and individuals with disabilities.

•Collaborate with VCU faculty and staff, national state vocational and community rehabilitation programs, adult service providers, individuals with disabilities and other stakeholders to improve employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

•Collaborate with VRTAC -QE and VCU team members to develop and revise training materials to include products, presentation and videotaping.

•Develop strong, open, professional, respectful and meaningful relationships with community agencies and businesses to include administration, managers and staff; work across the business and agencies to develop relationships in order to meet the training and technical assistance needs of each organization.

•Work with businesses to educate leaders, managers and staff on the project and the benefits of hiring individuals with disabilities.

•Provide individualized technical assistance to businesses who are interested in hiring people with disabilities into their workforce.

•Provide individualized technical assistance to vocational rehabilitation agencies, community rehabilitation providers, and educational organizations to better assist them in preparing people with disabilities for the workforce as well as assistance with improved service provision.

•Navigate the intricacies of businesses and rehabilitation providers to understand the organization, policies, and politics in order to provide the necessary training and technical assistance required.

•Travel nationally (to include several trips each month both during and after the COVID -19 pandemic) to deliver training to live audiences.

Required Qualifications

•Master’s degree from accredited college/university with major coursework in Counseling, Social/Behavioral Sciences, Rehabilitation, Human Services, or another relevant field.

•Prior direct service experience working with and for individuals with disabilities, preferably in the areas of vocational employment training.

•Expertise and experience in supported and customized employment, disability and the impact of disability on employment.

•Knowledge and experience of vocational and community rehabilitation programs.

•Willingness and ability to travel nationally several times per month during and after the COVID -19 pandemic and in accordance with the university travel guidelines with travel expenses to be reimbursed through the university.

•Prior experience developing, producing and delivering training products and learning resources for live and web based training.

•Must possess the ability to reason, think logically and analyze situations to achieve resolution to problems or concerns, prioritize assignments, and manage time efficiently.

•Excellent verbal and written communication, organizational, interpersonal and strong customer service skills.

•Must have the ability to research, write, and edit web-based instructional materials; develop live training content; and deliver live training content on evidence-based employment strategies for individuals with disabilities.

•Excellent presentation skills for live audiences of 30+ participants.

•Computer experience using Microsoft Windows software packages, and experience with MS Office.

•Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU .

Preferred Qualifications

•Credentialed as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification ( CRCC ).

•Association of community rehabilitation educators ( ACRE ) certificate and/or national certificate in employment services.

•Knowledge and experience providing training to businesses, vocational rehabilitation agencies and/or educational programs in the area of employment and best practices related to advancing competitive integrated employment for individuals with disabilities.


Date Posted 03/30/2021 Open Until Filled No Application Deadline Date 04/30/2021 Proposed Hire Date 05/25/2021 Type of Search National Application Process/Additional Information

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion – an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences, and academic and professional activities will impact your contribute to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience.

In addition, please submit application materials via VCU eJobs at www.vcujobs.com. Application materials should include a letter of interest in the position (“Cover Letter/Letter of Application” section), a current CV (“Curriculum Vitae (CV)” section), a list of three current references including names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses (“Other Document” section). Application materials will need to be submitted by the application deadline date of April 30, 2021. If you have questions about the position, please email Dr. Taryn Traylor at tgtraylor@vcu.edu.

Posted Salary $59,000 - $61,000 Quick Link https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/104714 Diversity Statement Information For more information on diversity statements, including guidelines, please click here . Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * The School of Education values the following as our culture statement, 'The School of Education (SOE) recognizes that trust among all members of the SOE community is the foundation of a positive work climate. Realizes that our wellbeing as an institution depends upon the wellbeing of our members. Respects all members, new and continuing, regardless of status. Values honest communication and finding ways to respectfully address difficult issues. Strives to listen without bias and search for common understanding. Is committed to equity, fairness and a level playing field for all of its members. Knows that the SOE community thrives, because of diverse viewpoints and areas of expertise. Fosters collaboration, collegiality and mutual support among all members of its community.' Please describe ways in which you have worked to foster this type of culture in the professional workplace or in your everyday life.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
2. * Please share your philosophy regarding the employment of people with disabilities.
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
3. * This position requires national travel. What is your willingness and/or ability to travel nationally several times per month during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with the university travel guidelines with travel expenses to be reimbursed through the university?
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
4. * Please share your experience with providing supported and/or customized employment to individuals with disabilities. What was your role and can you share details related to this experience?
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   
5. * Please provide details on your experience providing face-to-face training and/or technical assistance to live audiences. What were the topics presented, how many participants were in your audience, etc?
   
   (Open Ended Question)
   
   

Applicant Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
2. Other Document
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
4. Diversity Statement (Required for all Faculty)

Optional Documents