ASIRI Program Evaluation Specialist

How to Apply

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

Job Summary

Department Summary:

Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services (SAAS) is a student-centered unit within the Division of Student Life whose work is guided by best-practice standards and interventions utilizing a multidimensional model of student well-being.  SAAS oversees four key resources: Academic Support and Access Partnerships (ASAP), Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), Adaptive Sports and Fitness (ASF), & Testing Accommodation Centers, providing support services, advocacy, and academic accommodations to students with disabilities.  SAAS  is strongly committed to outreach services to the academic community at large, promoting awareness of disability issues, and providing support for equal access for all students. SAAS is a partner to students, faculty, and staff in the pursuit of developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future.

The vision of Adaptive Sports & Fitness is to lead the state of Michigan and the nation in adaptive sport, fitness, and recreation by providing new opportunities to students and community members with and without disabilities. Adaptive Sports and Fitness is a multi-disciplinary recreational and competitive adaptive sports & fitness program that creates equitable opportunities for health and wellness for people with and without disabilities at the University of Michigan and in the greater Ann Arbor community. Adaptive Sports & Fitness aims to increase awareness, knowledge, access, and opportunity in relation to adaptive fitness, recreation, and sport for all members of the community. Established in 2018, the program has quickly become nationally recognized for its competitive adaptive sports programs and work in the community to support the growth and development of adaptive sports.

Position Summary:

ASIRI aims to increase awareness, knowledge, access, and participation in adaptive sports and inclusive recreation among students and physical education (PE) teachers in Michigan by embedding adaptive sports into the general PE curriculum. ASF received a three-year grant to expand the scope of ASIRI to all middle school grades in Ann Arbor Public Schools, Saline, and Ypsilanti. The ASIRI Program Evaluation Specialist will be responsible for managing the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting requirements of ASIRI throughout the grant term.

The ASIRI Program Evaluation Specialist of the Adaptive Sports & Inclusive Recreation Initiative (ASIRI) is responsible for managing and implementing the monitoring and evaluation activities that support the expansion of ASIRI, meet the reporting obligations of the grant, and support further investment, continuation, and growth of ASIRI that is applicable to new demographics and regions. The Program Evaluation Specialist will work with the ASF Community Program Coordinator and our partners, which include the Disability Network, Ann Arbor Public Schools, and Move United, to coordinate and implement monitoring and evaluation of ASIRI.

This is a one-and-a-half (1.5) year term-limited appointment (ending 09/30/2027), with the possibility of extension based on funding and the availability of work.

Responsibilities*

Data Collection, Analysis, & Reporting (35%):  

• Design new or revise existing survey instruments to meet research and program evaluation goals
• Facilitate focus group with key stakeholders, including K-12 physical education teachers
• Lead the collection, processing, management, and archival of data, including survey responses, focus group recordings and transcripts, and other study documentation
• Maintain data security by implementing IRB-approved processes for storing and accessing data
• Lead quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Conduct focused literature reviews about ASIRI-related research topics and store relevant literature using reference management software (e.g., Zotero, EndNote, Mendeley)
• Work with the ASF Community Program Coordinator and Associate Director to draft, revise, and finalize ASIRI reports according to grant requirements, including findings from program evaluation
• Lead the writing and creation of other reports, presentations, and manuscripts to disseminate findings from ASIRI-related research and program evaluation
• Drafting and submitting manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals as relevant, and revising manuscripts as needed
• Utilize program evaluation data to develop new and enhance current processes to ensure the most effective and efficient way to implement and scale ASIRI
• Present research findings to institutional partners and external stakeholders to demonstrate the impact of our work and to help justify the need for continued and additional resources

Project Management & Research Administration (30%):

• Implement and make revisions as needed, the research protocol for projects related to ASIRI that align with the proposed outcomes, including any applicable stakeholder reporting requirements
• Work with SAAS and ASF research staff to maintain and update Institutional Review Board (IRB) applications related to ASIRI, ensuring compliance with University regulations
• Develop realistic goals and implement plans for multiple projects by appropriately managing timelines to produce deliverables
• Support project stakeholders, including K-12 administrators and physical education teachers, in survey distribution and focus group facilitation, ensuring that program evaluation work is understood and completed in alignment with overall ASIRI goals
• Facilitate appropriate certification processes for all team members to ensure project and research team compliance (e.g., PEERRS certification, Minors in Research)
• Regularly meet with other research staff within ASF and SAAS to present progress and discuss challenges with implementation
• Other administrative duties related to ASIRI research as assigned

Program Support and Development (25%):  

• Aid in the development and maintenance of collaborative relationships with community partners connected to ASF and ASIRI to support research and program evaluation efforts
• Support the ASF Community Program Coordinator in hosting and facilitating community programming events, including community outreach, adaptive sports clinics, and presentations. Note that some of these may occur during evenings and weekends, but advance notice will be provided
• Assist with adaptive sports equipment logistics, such as managing inventory, maintaining sports chairs, and assisting with unloading and loading equipment for ASF programming
• Serve as event staff during other ASF events, including but not limited to drop-in programming, hosted competitions, community and other outreach events (as needed)
• Present with other ASF staff at ASF events, clinics, presentations, and other related conferences to stakeholders (i.e., grant agencies, physical education teachers) and university partners

Educational Materials Development (10%):

• Collaborate with ASF team members and stakeholders on the development of ASIRI online learning resources for physical education teachers
• Apply educational research and ASIRI program evaluation data to inform the design, content, and delivery of ASIRI online learning resources
• Work with the ASF Community Program Coordinator and Associate Director to create media resources, including instructional videos, activities, and other training materials

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in leading program evaluation, social science research, or other research projects
• Minimum of 1 year of experience in both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies (e.g., survey design, conducting qualitative focus groups, etc.) and data analysis (e.g., paired t-tests, qualitative coding, etc.)
• Experience using at least one statistical software package (e.g., SAS, Stata, SPSS, R)
• Experience working on multiple phases of research projects (research design, data collection & analysis, scientific writing)

Desired Qualifications*

• Experience doing research with the disability and/or adaptive sport community
• Experience working on community-based projects
• Experience in developing online educational materials

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Additional Information

This is a one-and-a-half (1.5) year term-limited appointment (ending 09/30/2027), with the possibility of extension based on funding and the availability of work.

Position Responsibilities Criteria (leadership and behavioral qualities expected in this position):

• Ability to perform social science statistical analysis
• Ability to perform social science qualitative coding analysis
• Ability to identify a good research question, develop a solid research design
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks
• Ability to handle confidential information
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to effectively work independently and as a member of a team

Working Conditions:

• There is potential for hybrid in-person/virtual work. ASIRI events typically occur at public schools during class sessions or after school. Some ASF events will take place in the evening or on weekends. Expected to travel to local meetings, presentations, and events. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary.

Physical Requirements:

• Able to commute to local meetings, presentations, and events in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti area. Will need to move adaptive sports equipment. Reasonable accommodations will be provided as necessary.

Direct Reports:

• N/A

Additional Information

This role may have reporting obligations under Title IX and Clery.

Authorization to work in the U.S. is a precondition of employment and applicants for this position will not be sponsored for work visas.

Salary may vary depending on qualifications, experience, and education of the selected candidate.

Relocation will not be offered for this role.

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Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

U-M EEO Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.