Job Details
Job Location
Recruiting Area Erie County - Erie, PA
Position Type
Full Time
Description
Executive Director of The Arc of Erie County & Disabilities Advocate
Achieva is looking for its next leader: Executive Director of The Arc of Erie County. Make a significant difference in the lives of people with disabilities and their families. This Full-Time leadership position offers a generous salary and benefits.
Achieva is an organization where everyone is valued and respected. Our employees support people with disabilities as they live, work, play, and follow their life aspirations.
Sign-on / retention bonus of $2,000.00 for full-time hires!
About Achieva
For over 70 years, Achieva has been committed to the support and inclusion of people with disabilities. At Achieva, we envision a community where all people with disabilities lead lives of personal significance. Achieva advocates with, empowers, and supports people with disabilities and their families throughout their lives. We are an organization of professionals and community partners that help people reach their individualized goals.
Salary Range: $ 64,000-$70,000
Description:
Provides overall leadership for the Arc of Erie County, an affiliate organization within the Achieva Family of Organizations. Collaborates with the Arc of Erie County Board of Trustees and reports to the President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh. Works with a team of professionals to advocate with individuals with disabilities and their families, provide support, perform systems advocacy activities, and secure and handle financial resources to support its mission. Works with county, state and federal officials to promote the civil rights of people with disabilities and increases access to innovative and high-quality supports and services so people with disabilities can lead lives of personal significance. Build and improve policies, develops and supervises organizational budgets, secures and ensures efficient and effective utilization of funding and implements a strategic plan that strengthens and expands services offered by The Arc of Erie County.
Individuals with lived experience and their family members are encouraged to apply. Experience in grassroots or professional advocacy and knowledge of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities 504 Plans, Pennsylvania systems of supports for children and adults, and the rights of people with disabilities is essential. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
Responsibilities:

1. Leads and supervises Arc Erie staff. Recruits, hires, orients, and evaluates the Arc of Erie County staff in consultation with the President of the Arc of Greater Pittsburgh.
2. Adheres to the mission, vision, core values, and strategic priorities of Achieva. Develops and implements Strategic Vision Plan initiatives.
3. Ensures compliance with organizational policies and procedures, including but not limited to Achieva's code of conduct, finances, human resources, and other personnel.
4. Abides by standards for lobbyists as established by the Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission and other laws or authorities.
5. Collaborates on organizational efforts to provide individual advocacy, systemic advocacy, family support, and self-advocate leadership development. All advocacy and family support activities will be provided through the lens of person centered and family centered practices.
6. Responsible for local community outreach and educational activities in collaboration with other organizations. This includes public information sessions for individuals and their families and attendance at vendor fairs.
7. Provides education and training to families and the general public on disability related issues
8. Supports the achievement of individuals' personal outcomes, providing advocacy support with information, resources, technical assistance and advocacy primarily for students from birth to 22 and their families related to their education and transition in both Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and 504 Plans. Provides behavioral health support, home and community based services and government benefits.
9. Collaborates on Achieva's systems advocacy efforts-activities to promote change that furthers the empowerment of people with disabilities and enables them to lead lives of personal significance. Maintains a leadership role in the local and state disability community so as to preserve and expand the stature of the Arc of Erie County and Achieva. Stay on top of proposed and enacted disability-related federal, state, and local laws, regulations, standards, and guidelines.
10. Develops, implements, and monitors annual operational budgets ensuring financial integrity and seeks new funding opportunities through large scale grants and funding streams to effectuate change on a macro level.
11. Attends meetings, travels to Harrisburg and Washington DC as needed, and collaborates with state and national organizations and associations, appointed and elected government officials, and other community partners and advocates.
12. Provides information and consultation to other affiliates within the Achieva Family of Organizations and members of its Executive Management Team.
13. Represents the official position of The Arc of Erie County on committees, task forces, and at public hearings in consultation. Responsible for writing or collaboration in the preparation testimony and comments in response to issues in consultation with the President of The Arc of Greater Pittsburgh.
14. Keeps Trustees of The Arc of Erie County informed and advised of federal, state, and local issues that impact the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families. Serves as a member of the Executive Team, and other Achieva teams as assigned.
15. Represents The Arc of Erie County with the National Conference of Executives of the Arc (NCE), The Pennsylvania Conference of Executives of the Arc (PCE), The Arc of Pennsylvania, and The Arc of the United States
16. Performs other related duties as assigned. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without any notice.

Qualifications
Minimum Education: Bachelor's Degree
The equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree and 3 years of professional or related experience advocating for and supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. A proven leader, professional with excellent communication skills, ability to problem solve, and a proven track record to collaborate with professional organization, systems and families is required. Ability to set priorities and coordinate multiple tasks. Ability to work well both independently and with others. Ability to travel. Digital literacy Act 33/34 clearances, FBI fingerprinting and other background checks. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Achieva is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Achieva is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, contact the Human Resource Department, 412-995-5000 or jobs@achieva.info.