Edtech.com's Summary

Utah State University is hiring a Training/Developmental Specialist II to deliver training and technical assistance focused on Customized Employment and job coaching supports for community rehabilitation professionals. The role involves designing and facilitating ACRE-aligned trainings, leading Communities of Practice, and providing targeted monthly technical assistance to enhance employment services for individuals with disabilities.

Highlights

Design and deliver annual 40-hour ACRE-compliant Customized Employment training.
Facilitate regional Communities of Practice for professionals in employment support.
Provide monthly technical assistance, including on-site coaching and quality improvement support.
Proficiency required in Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint and Excel.
Bachelor’s degree and experience with disabilities and community-based employment providers required.
Preferred qualifications include a master’s degree and experience with ACRE training and customized employment services.
Salary starts at $62,000, commensurate with experience, with excellent benefits.
Collaborate with state agencies, provider organizations, and stakeholders to improve employment services.
Position operates within the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice and emphasizes person-centered employment strategies.
Must pass a background check; position supports telework within Utah.

Training/Developmental Specialist II Full Description

Overview:

The Training/Developmental Specialist II will be responsible for delivering high-quality training and technical assistance to community rehabilitation professionals throughout Utah. This position will focus primarily on building capacity in the areas of Customized Employment (CE) and job coach supports, including strategies for discovery, individualized planning, customized job development, and effective fading of supports in competitive, integrated employment settings.

Key responsibilities include designing and facilitating in-person and virtual trainings, providing ongoing technical assistance tailored to agency and individual staff needs, and promoting best practices aligned with Customized ACRE standards and Employment First principles. The Specialist will collaborate with state agencies, provider organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen the quality and fidelity of employment services for individuals with significant disabilities. This role requires a strong understanding of person-centered practices, adult learning strategies, and the ability to translate evidence-based approaches into practical tools and coaching supports for employment professionals.

Applicant must submit a resume and cover letter that details how they meet the qualifications for this position.

This position is telework-eligible within the state of Utah.

Exempt positions are eligible for excellent benefits including 13 paid holidays, 22 days of paid vacation leave, and 12 days of sick leave per year, a 50% tuition reduction for employees and dependents, competitive health benefits packages, and a generous contribution to your retirement. View more information here: Summary of Benefits 2024-2025.

Responsibilities:

The Training/Developmental Specialist II plays a critical role in strengthening the capacity of Utah’s community rehabilitation providers to deliver high-quality, person-centered employment services for individuals with disabilities. This position is responsible for delivering training and technical assistance with a strong emphasis on Customized Employment (CE) and job coaching supports, and is structured around three primary components: (1) ACRE-Aligned Training, (2) Community of Practice Facilitation, and (3) Targeted Technical Assistance.

Customized Employment Training (ACRE-Aligned)

The Specialist will design and deliver annual 40-hour ACRE-compliant trainings titled Employment Services with an Emphasis on Customized Employment (Basic). These trainings build foundational knowledge and practical skills across all required ACRE core domains. The Specialist will guide participants through applied learning activities, case-based exercises, and fieldwork assignments to build real-world competency in strengths-based, person-centered employment planning and service delivery.

Community of Practice (CoP) Facilitation

The Specialist will lead regional, in-person Communities of Practice (CoPs) to promote professional development and shared learning among job coaches, employment specialists, and vocational rehabilitation professionals. These CoPs are designed to:

Support continued knowledge acquisition and skill development
Foster peer-to-peer problem-solving for shared employment support challenges
Disseminate evidence-based tools, resources, and promising practices
Strengthen cross-agency collaboration and alignment of employment efforts

By facilitating these communities, the Specialist will create a sustained learning environment that promotes innovation, support, and continuous improvement across provider networks.

Technical Assistance

The Specialist will provide monthly technical assistance (TA) TA activities may include on-site coaching, virtual consultation, review of employment plans and documentation, support for job coach fading, and assistance with quality improvement initiatives. The Specialist will help agencies strengthen internal systems, align services with CE fidelity expectations, and build staff capacity to deliver effective, integrated employment supports. Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
Experience working with individuals with disabilities and community-based employment providers
Experience conducting training and professional development
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, PowerPoint, Excel, and related tools
Job offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Human Services, Public Health, Psychology, or a related field
Experience providing customized employment services or ACRE training
Familiarity with employment support systems at federal, state, and local levels
Experience training or coaching professionals in disability services
Experience with curriculum development

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Demonstrated knowledge of customized employment practices
Understanding of community employment supports and services
Ability to work independently and maintain confidentiality
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across agencies and organizations
Demonstrated initiative, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities

Required Documents:
Along with the online application, please attach:

Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
Cover Letter to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”. Please outline how your qualifications and experience meet the requirements of this position.

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.** Advertised Salary: Minimum $62,000; Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits. ADA:

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions. College/Department Highlights:

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP) is Utah’s federally designated University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD). The IDRPP opened its doors in 1972 and was the first UCEDD program in the U.S. to focus on the educational and social needs of children and adults with disabilities. Over the past 50 years the IDRPP has grown into one of the largest UCEDD programs in the nation and is recognized as a pioneer in research, training, technical assistance, and services for children and adults with disabilities, their families, and the professionals who serve them.

The IDRPP is committed to hiring people with disabilities, veterans, and diverse individuals from all communities and backgrounds. We value visible and invisible differences, and we recognize that diversity makes us stronger. We welcome applicants who bring something different and unique to our organization. We value creativity, loyalty, and hard work. We believe that we can change the world and make it a better, more inclusive place for everyone, and we want to hire people who also believe that they can make a difference.

Mission:

We are working together to create inclusive communities and improve the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families through sustainable innovation, collaborative research, responsive service, and interdisciplinary training and education.

Values:

We Innovate: We lead by developing dynamic, sustainable, forward-thinking programs and services.

We Include: We demonstrate how to effectively work toward inclusive communities in our planning, programs, and services. We celebrate diversity in ability, race, ethnicity, culture, language, gender, sexual orientation, politics, and religion.

We Collaborate: We forge partnerships. Working together makes us more effective and responsive to the current needs of our clients and communities.

We Care: We do what we do because we care. We are making the world a better place for people with disabilities and their families.

Funding Statement

The Institute for Disability Research, Policy, & Practice is one of the largest research and outreach centers at USU, and we are largely funded through grants, contracts, and fee-for-service programs. All staff positions at the IDRPP are contingent upon funding, and all senior staff at the IDRPP with graduate degrees are responsible for helping to generate funding to support our operations and growth.

College Highlights

The Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services is home to eight departments and is committed to providing the best learning opportunities and educational research in the state of Utah. Our programs are strengthened by an on-campus elementary laboratory school and five stand-alone centers, including the Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. The college offers clinical services to the community across the human lifespan and provides students with real-world service and research opportunities. University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.

*updated 02/2025 Notice of Non-discrimination:

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023

Original Job Description