Director Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities

Profile

Director, Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities

The

University of Montana

invites applications for a

Director

to lead the

Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities (RIIC)

. The Director oversees a dynamic and dedicated center that promotes equal opportunity for people with disabilities through education, research, and direct service. The ED reports to the Vice President for Research at the University of Montana and currently oversees a $6.9 million budget, 48 active projects and programs, and nearly 60 staff. The Director provides direct supervision to a team of principal investigators and the RIIC business office (approximately 15 people) and is responsible for general oversight of the entire organization.

The RIIC is seeking a leader who is ready to inspire change. We are looking for someone skilled at building mutually respectful partnerships statewide and nationally, with an appreciation for the strengths of rural communities. Our new ED needs to model inclusive decision making and be community driven. We would like someone ready to proactively obtain funding for a sustainable future in line with our strategic priorities. It is important our new Director can engage effectively with diverse populations: policy makers, university administration, those with lived experience, and current and future stakeholders.

Key duties and responsibilities include:

Provide visionary leadership that inspires change and advances strategic priorities, cross-disability solidarity, organizational sustainability, and access and inclusion for all.

Serve as Principal Investigator of the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and Service (UCEDD) Core Grant and implement the five-year plan in collaboration with the Consumer Advisory Council.

Identify, implement, and evaluate necessary structural changes to policies, practices, and procedures in collaboration with RIIC staff to promote a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.

Contribute to, facilitate, and advance a diverse body of research, scholarship, and knowledge translation activities that advances the goals of the RIIC, the Rehabilitation Act, and Administration for Community Living.

Lead and support the RIIC in making academic and direct service contributions to disability issues across the lifespan.

Participate in strategic college, university, state, and federal policy activities, considering how changing political landscapes may impact disability inclusion.

Actively engage individuals who are impacted by disabilities in decision-making at all levels and ensure their recommendations and perspectives are reflected in the RIIC’s work.

Serve as liaison and engage effectively with relevant local, state, and national partners including DD Act state partners, federal and state policy makers and agencies, individuals with disabilities and their families, university administration and faculty across disciplines.

Explore and develop creative, innovative and diverse funding models, including securing federal and non-federal grants, contracts, and fee-for-service revenue.

Provide strategic development, management, and oversight to new and existing projects, identifying and addressing gaps in service, research, and training related to people with disabilities.

Supervise the RIIC Principal Investigators and cross-grant personnel, support professional development opportunities, and build collaborations across internal programs.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action

: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Position Details

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package

including Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Salary range for this position is $145,000 – 165,000 per year commensurate with qualifications.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduate degree

Extensive experience working with individuals with disabilities and their families, as well as with disability-focused agencies or organizations

Ability to develop and maintain strategic partnerships

Experience serving as a principal investigator with an active disability-related grant-funded research portfolio

Skill and experience administering research, training, outreach, technical assistance, resource development/leverage, and dissemination activities

Understanding of the UCEDD network and its role, purpose, and mission

Excellent communication skills related to administration, strategic vision, and improved understanding of research and issues facing people with disabilities across the lifespan

Skilled at developing a collaborative workplace through team building, sponsorship of junior colleagues, and respect for employees at all organizational levels

Demonstrates commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusiveness

Understands and demonstrates ability to affect systems change to support policy, legislation, service outcomes, equitable access, and quality of life for people with disabilities

Demonstrates ability to foster a workplace culture that values collaboration, intellectual curiosity, mentoring, academic freedom, and diverse perspectives

Preferred Qualifications

Terminal degree

Demonstrated leadership within the UCEDD network

Knowledge and skills related to direct lived experience as a person with a disability and/or family/caregiver experience

Substantial record of research, publications, presentations, and grantsmanship related to disability

Embodiment of the values of independence, productivity, and community inclusion as outlined within the DD Act

About UM

and the Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with more than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. The Rural Institute is committed to collaborative partnerships that support opportunities for all. Our mission is to promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities through education, research, and direct service. We value respectful partnerships, inclusive decision-making, evidence- and practice-based solutions, healthy interdependence, and rural community resilience.

The Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities operates as a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), one of 67 UCEDDS across the country. The RIIC is committed to collaborative community partnership that support opportunities for all. Our mission is to promote equal opportunity for people with disabilities through education, research, and direct service. We value respectful community partnerships, inclusive decision-making, evidence- and practice-based solutions, healthy interdependence, and rural community resilience.

We are creative, committed, and community-led. We employ both evidence and practice-based solutions in our work. Like many good Montanans, we recognize the importance of a strong work/life balance to enjoy the many benefits offered by our community. We work hard to create accessible workplaces and promote a culture of learning from one another. Our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee is actively working on structural changes within our organization and staff and stakeholders recently completed a strategic planning process resulting in a more unified vision for the future direction of the RIIC.

To learn more about the University of Montana, please visit the links below.

University of Montana

University Highlights

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to Offer of Employment.

In accordance with University policy, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations.

ADA/EOE/AA/Veteran's Preference.

Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law.

References

*References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant.

Testing

Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions.

E mployment Eligibility.

All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

Company info

The University of Montana
Website : https://www.umt.edu