This is an unusual opportunity to provide leadership in one of the leading organizations focused on special education in the world. It comes at a time when professional development services are changing rapidly and CEC can play an important role in contributing to postive progress for special educators and the children, youth, and families they serve.

Learn more about the position of Assistant Executive Director for Professional Development Services at CEC by downloading a PDF announcing the position vacancy. Learn more about CEC and it's professional development activities by visiting Professionl Development section of CEC's Web site.

"We operate 24 hours a day for 365 days of the year," Shirley O'Brien, the Senior Director at Camp Baker Services, reports. "The individuals who attend our programs range from 6-80 years of age and from mild intellectual delays to severe intellectual and physical delays. We are a fully barrier-free, modern facility on 22 acres."

Most of the currently available jobs—counselors, lead counselors, head counselors, and activity leaders as well as program director and staff manager—are for the residential summer camp that, according to Dr. O'Brien, is attended by 320 individuals with disabilities. "Our summer programming includes wellness, swimming, sport and games, archery, arts and crafts, music and drama, horticulture, nature, camping, and cooking. Additionally, we have internship positions open for the Summer of 2010 that includes free room and board."

Visit Camp Baker Services at the Richmond (VA, US) ARC.

The Council for Exceptional Children is seeking applications for the position of Assistant Executive Director for Professional Development Services. Here are some particulars about the position. See the link near the end of this post to download a copy of the announcement.

Position Title: Assistant Executive Director for Professional Development Services
Classification: Category 10 (Exempt) Starting Salary Range: $86,340 to $107,924.
Unit: Professional Development Services
Reports to: Executive Director
Selection Procedure: Evaluation of written application materials, relevant education, experience, and references. Personal/panel interview(s) of top-rated candidates.
Application Procedure: Each candidate must submit a current resume and cover letter to: Recruiter, Norma Marshall, preferably via Email to cecnm@att.net. (Voice: 336-547-8315).Mailed resumes should be sent to: Council for Exceptional Children, 1110
North Glebe Road, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-5704 Persons requesting accommodation during the application process should also contact the Recruiter.
Application Deadline: Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

Visit the CEC Web site at http://www.cec.sped.org

Download a PDF of the announcement of the position.

Click on this link to open a copy of the announcement.

National non-profit disability association seeking Dep. Exec. Dir./Public Policy. J.D. or Masters degree in human services or political science area, knowledge and experience in health & disability-related legislative and federal affairs; mgmt & supervisory expertise, media relations, development and public policy affairs. Must be organized, able to prioritize and demonstrate effective written and oral communication. Salary range $80 - $90K. Liberal benefits. Fax resume, references, cover letter with salary requirements to NDRN (202) 408-9520. An equal opportunity employer. People with disabilities encouraged to apply. Closing date September 30, 2008.

Link for the PDF of the position announcement and link to the NDRN Web site.

Purpose of Position:
Policy and Advocacy Services furthers the overall goals of CEC through improving policies affecting children and youth with exceptionalities, their families, and the professionals who work with them, at national and state/provincial levels of government. The Senior Director for Public Policy, under the direction of the Associate Executive Director for Policy and Advocacy Services, is responsible for providing leadership and direction for the Association's governmental relations activities, including maintaining a network of units and members for advancing public policy.

Responsibilities:
• Providing leadership and direction for special education advocacy and public policy activities including proactively influencing federal legislation, regulations, and funding;
• Providing leadership in developing CEC’s advocacy campaigns and supporting a network of units and members for influencing special education policy at national, state/provincial and local levels;
• Gathering, analyzing and synthesizing information and preparing reports, testimony, white papers, model policies, and other written products on policy issues of concern to CEC and its state/provincial, division and local units;
• Monitoring the implementation of public policy and governmental programs concerning quality outcomes for exceptional children and youth and the professionals who serve them;
• Developing and maintaining internal and external coalitions as needed;
• Representing and linking the Association externally on matters related to public policy including participation in coalitions, conferences and task forces;
• Coordinating staff work in the area of governmental relations, which includes ensuring collaboration and communication across the unit and organization, and high quality customer service to members and external constituents;
• Identifying current and emerging policy issues and trends in the provision of services to exceptional children and youth and their families that can be addressed through the Association's special education advocacy activities;
• Developing and conducting public policy presentations and seminars for CEC members and units, and other interested parties, in advancement of CEC priorities;
• Performing other duties as may be assigned.
Qualifications:
• An advanced degree in special education (includes early intervention), law and government, or a related field preferred;
• More than nine years progressively responsible experience in education, association management, or law and government as it relates to special education, or a related area;
• Five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in the area of public policy at the state or national levels, or a combination of these levels;
• Successful experience in working effectively with and serving as an advocate with congressional and federal governmental officials on public policy issues;
• Demonstrated competence in communicating effectively in written and oral forms including synthesis of varying perspectives and the promotion of communication across multiple constituencies;
• Demonstrated understanding of current issues, programs and trends relating to the education of exceptional children;
• Ability to provide leadership with a strong commitment to advancing the special education profession's public policy agenda;
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across units and with key individuals, organizations and agencies;
• Demonstrated negotiating skills in challenging situations involving varying stakeholders;
• Ability to flexibly respond to changing needs, directions and priorities;
• Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite;
• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, when necessary.

Link to the PDF position description.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is the oldest and largest nonprofit MS organization in the U.S. With 52 chapters across the country, the Society supports more MS research and serves more people with MS than any other organization in the world. For more information about the National MS Society and our advocacy network, please visit our website at www.nationalmssociety.org

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Position works to build and support advocacy in chapters at the state and local level. Essential functions include: (1) Research state legislation and regulations that will impact people with MS in the areas of quality health care, health insurance, long-term care and disability rights. Provide recommendations on issues for chapters to pursue; (2) Convert public policy research, analysis and recommended strategies/tactics into needed documents to support chapter advocacy initiatives including internal and external updates, reports, testimony, public comments, magazine articles, action alerts, issue briefs, state legislative trends, advocacy toolkits, teletrainings, and other communications; (3) Train chapter staff and volunteers in issues and advocacy techniques and assist chapters in developing trainings for volunteer advocates; (4) Take the lead in developing monthly advocacy toolkits and teletrainings for chapter government relations staff; (5) Manage the Convio electronic advocacy network through the action alert system to build electronic support and growth for advocacy at the local level; (6) Work with chapters to develop strategic advocacy plans and develop partnerships and collaborations to achieve public policy goals; and (7) Support the administrative planning and implementation of the Society’s annual Public Policy Conference.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes and how to influence them;
• Demonstrated ability to research and analyze a broad range of complicated disability, health, non-profit, and MS specific public policy issues and identify best models.
• 3+ years direct legislative experience or policy experience with emphasis on health care, long-term care and/or disability rights.
• B.A degree in public policy, political science, public administration, or related area.
• Training and presentation skills;
• Must be able to manage and engage in multiple tasks and in diverse internal and external interactions with diplomacy
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills necessary to build support for advocacy among staff and volunteers in chapters.

COMPENSATION

The organization offers a competitive salary and a generous benefits package that includes paid vacation, medical, dental, life and retirement plan.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

Please email cover letter, resume, and salary requirements by August 8, 2008 to:

Bari Talente
Associate VP, State and Local Government Relations
Bari.talente _@_ nmss.org

EOE / M / F / D / V

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is an equal opportunity employer
and is committed to recruiting a broadly diverse pool of applicants for this position.

The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies is looking for a Post Doctoral Fellow (Post Doc) to assist with grant supported research starting August 16, 2008. The Post Doc will work with Philip N. Chase, Incoming Executive Director of the Cambridge Center on an evaluation project involving a Web-enabled middle school mathematics curriculum.

Responsibilities: The Post Doc will contribute 40 hours a week as an exempt employee to the project from August 16, 2008-August 15, 2009. The Post Doc will assist with management and support for the administrators, teachers and students of the project, data analysis, computer support for using the Internet, and gathering data and analyzing data, particularly using SSPS or other data analytic software. The Post Doc also will assist in materials development and report writing for the project. The Post Doc will work directly with Dr. Chase, the administrative personnel of the Cambridge Center, and other members of Cambridge Center interested in curriculum development and evaluation. The Post Doc will engage in occasional paid travel to schools and the headquarters of the curriculum developers.

Qualifications: Ph.D. in Psychology or related field (or equivalent experience) with an emphasis on behavior analysis. Experience with research using both single-subject and group research designs. Technical sophistication using computers, the Internet, and software, particularly SSPS or other data analytic software. Course work in designing curriculum, writing goals and objectives for the learners, designing assessments for learners, and designing evaluation research to determine whether curriculum is effective. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Demonstrated ability to work well with people.

Salary and Benefits: Competitive

Application procedures: Send a letter of application, resume or curriculum vita, an example of professional writing, and contact information for three professional references to Philip N. Chase at pchase _at_ wvu.edu.

Review of applications began May 23, 2008 and will continue until the position is filled.

The Cambridge Center for Behavioral Studies is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. The Cambridge Center encourages applications from underrepresented group members. Federal and state legislation prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, disability, and veteran status. In addition, our policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, marital status, and parental status.

The Cambridge Center is located in Concord Massachusetts, which is a beautiful historic and literary community thirty minutes west of Boston. The Center is located within walking distance of a commuter rail station with frequent trains to and from Cambridge and Boston.