Director of technical assistance, independent living training and technical assistance center

The Independent Living Training and Technical Assistance (IL T&TA) Center is seeking an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as our Director of Technical Assistance. As a member of the Executive Management Team, the Director will lead the planning, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of the Center’s national technical assistance strategy. This role ensures that Centers for Independent Living (CILs), Statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs), and Designated State Entities (DSEs) receive high-quality, accessible, responsive, and evidence-informed support that strengthens organizational capacity, leadership, governance, compliance, fiscal accountability, consumer-directed services, and systems improvement across the Independent Living Network.

Funded by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), the IL T&TA Center advances the work of the Independent Living Network through training, technical assistance, and peer connection grounded in the values of the Independent Living movement. The Director will exercise significant leadership and decision-making authority while managing staff and consultants, setting priorities, allocating resources, monitoring performance, and building strong partnerships with federal partners, disability organizations, national associations, and other technical assistance providers. This is an opportunity for a skilled leader to help shape responsive, practical, and individualized technical assistance that meets the diverse needs of organizations and people working across the Independent Living Network.

Examples of Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for the IL T&TA Center’s technical assistance program, contributing to organizational strategy, policy development, budget planning, decision-making, and overall project leadership.
• Develop and lead a comprehensive national technical assistance strategy aligned with the Center’s strategic plan, project goals, federal priorities, contract requirements, and the evolving needs of the Independent Living Network.
• Direct the delivery of high-quality technical assistance to CILs, SILCs, DSEs, and other eligible entities, ensuring services are individualized, timely, accessible, responsive, evidence-informed, and grounded in Independent Living philosophy.
• Lead technical assistance initiatives that strengthen organizational capacity and performance.
• Develop and implement innovative technical assistance approaches and resources that respond to emerging trends and systemic challenges.
• Develop and oversee a national Peer-to-Peer Consultant Network, including recruitment, selection, orientation, supervision, assignment, performance management, quality assurance, and evaluation of consultants providing specialized technical assistance.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships and collaborative relationships with ACL, RSA, national disability and rehabilitation organizations, state agencies, Independent Living organizations, federal technical assistance centers, and other strategic partners to coordinate efforts and maximize impact.
• Establish and monitor quality, performance, and accountability systems for technical assistance, using utilization data, customer feedback, outcome measures, emerging needs, and other evaluation findings to drive continuous improvement and demonstrate effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with federal requirements and contract obligations, including applicable statutes and regulations, CIL/SILC standards and assurances, SPIL requirements, OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), accessibility standards, reporting requirements, and federal performance measures.
• Represent the IL T&TA Center nationally and serve as a subject matter leader, presenting at conferences, participating in national workgroups and advisory committees, staying current on federal requirements and emerging best practices, and promoting a culture of innovation, accessibility, equity, collaboration, accountability, and customer service.
• Travel throughout the United States, including overnight travel averaging approximately one week per quarter, is expected.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five (5) years of professional or leadership experience within the Independent Living Network, such as with a CIL, SILC, DSE, and/or ACL, with relevant experience occurring within the past five years.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Independent Living philosophy and practice, including consumer control, consumer-directed services, organizational capacity building, universal design, accessibility, and inclusive communication.
• Strong knowledge of federal Independent Living laws, regulations, and requirements, including the Rehabilitation Act, Title I and Title VII Independent Living Programs, implementing regulations, and applicable Standards and Assurances.
• Demonstrated knowledge of nonprofit and organizational management, including federal grant administration and compliance, OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR Part 200), financial management, governance, strategic planning, organizational development, and board effectiveness.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives and develop and implement technical assistance strategies, assess organizational needs, interpret complex requirements, and develop practical solutions.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders and facilitate organizational change.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, exercise sound independent judgment, maintain confidentiality and professionalism, and prepare clear reports and presentations.
• Strong proficiency with technology and accessible digital practices, including Microsoft products, virtual meeting platforms, customer relationship management systems, project management software, accessible document creation, and digital accessibility standards.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in nonprofit organizations, federally funded programs, disability-led organizations, or organizations serving people with disabilities.
• Five (5) years of executive leadership experience as an Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer, Senior Director, or equivalent, particularly within the Independent Living Network or a federally funded disability organization.
• Significant experience providing organizational consulting, technical assistance, executive coaching, or capacity-building services to members of the Independent Living Network.
• Direct experience managing federal grants or cooperative agreements, including compliance, performance, reporting, and accountability requirements.
• Experience supervising multidisciplinary staff and contracted consultants and leading complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, preferably at a national or multi-state level.
• Experience designing, implementing, and evaluating technical assistance, training, or organizational development initiatives, with experience working with federal agencies, national organizations, or multi-state initiatives strongly preferred.

Additional Information

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, Letter of Appointment and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program. Screening of applications will begin after the closing date of September 28, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established. Complete applications received by the closing date will be guaranteed consideration. To apply, please upload the following materials: Letter of Interest – addressing the stated required skills for the position Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information Supplemental Question Responses: Please describe your professional and/or volunteer experience in working with Centers for Independent Living, Statewide Independent Living Councils, Designated State Agencies, and/or the Administration for Community Living. The Independent Living network is disability-led as required by the Rehabilitation Act. Please describe your experience with disability. The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from 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. The Affiliation of the University of Montana (UM Affiliation) is an equal opportunity employer. UM Affiliation does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of protected class status as described in UM’s non-discrimination policy and any applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. Background check is required prior to the offer of employment. In accordance with university regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to background investigations per UM's policy and procedure. References: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. UM partners with SkillSurvey for reference checking. Applicants may receive emails from SkillSurvey to submit reference information. Testing: Individual hiring departments within the UM Affiliation 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 and all affiliated campuses, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9). The University of Montana will require proof of authorization to work in the United States before final hiring. Due to the September 19, 2025 Presidential Proclamation and related guidance from USCIS and the Department of State, the University may be limited in its ability to offer H-1B sponsorship. At this time, we are unable to sponsor new H-1B visas that require payment of the additional fee introduced by the Proclamation.