Job Listings

The Rural Institute On Disabilities invites applications for a part-time Public Education Specialist to join their team. The primary responsibilities of this position include:

• Work collaboratively with MonTECH. Transition, and Deaf/Blind staff to provide targeted outreach to rural schools across Montana
• Meet with school teams to identify needs and resources to support those needs in the areas of assistive technology; It is estimated this will require extensive 1-2 day in-state travel
• Engage in planning and coordinating to implement training and technical assistance activities that lead to the achievement of identified project goals and objectives, drawing on best practices in assistive technology
• Conduct ongoing reviews of research and practice literature related to assistive technology in education
• Synthesize the information and package it in understandable and accessible formats for professional development, technical assistance, and dissemination activities
• Develop training and dissemination materials in multiple electronic and media-based formats to support project technical assistance and dissemination activities
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of best practices and resources in the delivery of services to children with disabilities
• Coordinate and deliver training based on established best practices in the areas of assistive technology in educational settings
• Collaborate with other Rural Institute projects to create resources and information that lead to an increase in the implementation of assistive technology
• Capture and record data as required for evaluation and reporting purposes
• Develop project materials and reports, customizing the products for the required purpose and audience
• Represent the Rural Institute, as well as the specific projects, at statewide meetings and conferences
• Support grant writing and reporting to ensure continued funding of projects
• Participate in relevant activities and functions of the Rural Institute
• Actively contribute to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace through service-related activities within the Rural Institute, the University of Montana, and/or the Missoula community

• Demonstrated abilities to work as a team member and also independently; self-manage time and projects; and think critically and creatively to solve problems and make decisions
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to work with diverse groups of individuals and create and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, providers, school staff, families, and youth
• Ability to research and identify needed resources for providers, schools, and families
• Demonstrated values of community inclusion for ALL people with disabilities including those with the most significant impact of disabilities
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively around the state
• Experience using personal computers, standard office equipment, and relevant software such as Microsoft Office Suite tools (e.g., Excel, Word, PPT, Outlook)

Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, Psychology, Education, Social Work, or a related field, and three to five years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. The individual in this position must have knowledge of and experience with children with significant impact of disability, IEP processes, the IDEA law, and working knowledge of assistive technology

• Experience organizing and presenting information in conference settings as well as providing ongoing training and technical assistance to teachers, paraprofessionals, service providers, families and people with disabilities
• Ability to organize information and disseminate it in understandable forms for people with disabilities including those with intellectual disabilities
• Lived experience with disability (self or immediate family member)
• Lived experience with assistive technology (self or immediate family member)

The University of Montana is a unit of the Montana University System with over 10,000 students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 72,000, surrounded by mountain grandeur which was recently ranked in the “top 20 best college towns with a population of less than 250,000” by the American Institute for Economic Research and ranked 9th in Outside Magazine’s “The 16 Greatest Places to Live in America” in 2014. Many national publications recognize Missoula for its high quality of life. 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 offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

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.

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

• University of Montana
• Video: UM Lifestyles
• University Highlights

Position Title:                    Public Education Specialist

Position Number:              NEW

Department:                       Rural Institute On Disabilities

Work Schedule:                 Part-time, 0.5 FTE (20 Hours a week), Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, 12 months/year.

Salary:                                $24.053/hr

Union Affiliation:               Montana Federation of Public Employees (MFPE)

Probationary Period:        Six months minimum

Benefits Include:               Insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, and wellness program.

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, 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. Employment 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).

Priority Application Date: Sunday, September 24, 2023 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by the ‘Priority Application Date’ will be guaranteed consideration. The position will remain open until filled. Candidates are required to submit the following materials online via the UM jobs website directly to ensure a complete application is received.

A complete application Includes:

1. Letter of Interest – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable
2. Detailed Resume – listing education and describing work experience
3. Professional References – names and contact information for three (3) professional references