Position OverviewUniversity of Kansas Transition to Postsecondary Education (KU TPE) provides specialized services and supports to KU undergraduates with intellectual and developmental disabilities so they may participate in typical KU academic, employment, and student life activities. As part of the program, TPE supports students to become included members of campus through typical KU undergraduate student life opportunities and experiences. The Program Specialist for Student Life leads these efforts within an overall team structure.
The Program Specialist for Student Life is responsible for developing multiple means, accommodations, and methods for supporting students in TPE to find, access, and participate in KU undergraduate student life. This may include student clubs and organizations, Greek life, living communities, student union activities, social/emotional supports, navigating campus/town, athletic and art/music events, and student recreational activities. This position oversees the TPE Peer Mentors, a paid student employee and about 10 undergraduate volunteer Peer Mentors, who are matched with students in TPE to facilitate social connections and participation across campus.
Some travel is required and occasionally work outside of typical M-F, 8-5 hours. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, manages multiple tasks within prescribed timelines, anticipates and plans for multiple situations, is a creative problem-solver, and has excellent verbal and written communication skills.
In addition to a competitive salary, the University of Kansas offers great benefits to employees such as paid vacation, sick leave, nine paid holidays plus one discretionary day, a retirement program, medical and dental insurance, life and disability insurance, other benefit plan options and State of Kansas discounts offered by various vendors. KU also offers employees educational and professional development opportunities. For more information, please visit our benefits page at https://humanresources.ku.edu/benefits . Job Description50% - Develop program-level system and individualized supports for KU-TPE students to participate in KU student life activities and experiences.
Work with students, KU student clubs and organization (including Greek Life) to facilitate KU TPE student participation in KU student life activities and social opportunities of their choice.Collaborate with KU student clubs/organizations and KU student life units to develop methods and practices for facilitating social networks for students in TPE and for creating accepting, accommodating, and inclusive environments. Meet with each student weekly to address social problem-solving, supports to help them be independent in social networking, and identify preferred social activities and interests.Support students to make informed decisions about their progress and meeting their goals.Participate in student person-centered planning meetings and ensuring steps are taken to help students meet their goals.Connect students with services and resources, as needed, both within and outside of KU. Develop systems to support students to learn and practice executive functioning skills related to college setting. This includes appropriate use of social media, group texting, texting, emailing, using calendars and advanced planning.May work with the KU TPE Academic Advisor and course instructors to develop and implement individualized course assignment adaptations for KU TPE students.
25% - Recruit, train and support paid and volunteer Peer Mentors.
Recruit and onboard Peer mentor volunteers.Providing orientation and initial training to Peer Mentors to ensure their roles as facilitators for students in TPE.Supervise the student employee Peer Mentor to assume leadership, modeling, and guidance duties with volunteer Peer Mentors.Meet twice monthly with all Peer Mentors to providing training, support, and problem-solving. Ensure Peer Mentors are matched with students in TPE and meet their obligations.
15% - Participate in student recruitment and onboarding activities.
Represent TPE at open house events and Jayhawk Information sessions with other staff.Assist in organizing TPE Jump Start and supporting KU Orientation.Coordinate the KU TPE Summer Tutorial for incoming freshmen and their families.Coordinate TPE Early Preparation activities for all KU TPE students a few days before and during Hawk Week.
5% - Maintain recordkeeping, evaluation, and reporting requirements.
5% - Other duties as assigned. Position RequirementsThis position will be on campus. Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree with minimum of one (1) year of related professional experience.
Minimum of one (1) year experience working with young adults with intellectual disabilities.
Minimum of one (1) year of experience with student clubs, organizations, and activities or student support units on a college campus.
Strong interpersonal, organization, and administrative skills.
Excellent written communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
Strong computer skills especially with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as with online technologies.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in related field.
Previous experience facilitating full inclusion.
Experience working independently and with collaborative teams.
Experience providing life coaching or other methods of helping others increase their social capital.
Creative problem-solving experience using a variety of resources.
Excellent verbal communication skills.
Additional Candidate InstructionsDana Lattin
dlattin@ku.edu Contact Information to ApplicantsA complete application includes:
Online application
Resume/CV
Cover letter highlighting qualifications and including specific examples of experience
Contact information for three professional references.
Only complete applications will be considered.
Application review begins July 25, 2022 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified. Advertised Salary Range17.00 - 24.00 based on experience Work ScheduleSchedule determined at hire, 20 hrs M-F, primarily 8-5, occasionally outside of the regular workday Application Review Begins25-Jul-2022 Anticipated Start Date15-Aug-2022
