Community Research Associate​/Project Coordinator

Department Overview

The University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) has a 50‑year history at Oregon Health & Science University in Portland. The UCEDD at OHSU works to improve the health and quality of life of Oregonians with disabilities through education, community service, research and information sharing.

This grant‑funded position is for a Community Research Associate / Project Coordinator for the National AAC Peer Support Network Project. The project aims to establish a sustainable national peer support network to increase access to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) for individuals with speech‑related disabilities. The key role is responsible for supporting the development, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of the AAC Peer Support Leadership Coalition and project work groups, creating a hub for AAC peer support and carrying out other project activities central to building a sustainable national network.

The position plays a critical role in dissemination, collaboration, and communication with individuals who use AAC and disability organizations at local, regional, and national levels. Project activities span a wide range of regions and modalities, including maintaining project files, distributing incentives to participants, establishing agendas, scheduling virtual workgroup and coalition meetings, presenting at in‑person dissemination events, and analyzing and preparing de‑identified qualitative data.

• Support project management by coordinating workgroup activities and deliverables, monitoring progress against the scope of work (SOW), and contributing to the development and maintenance of project timelines.
• Provide logistical and administrative support, including managing communications, distributing project materials, tracking tasks, and follow‑up actions.
• Maintain detailed Google Drive and TEAM internal project files.
• Distribute participant incentives weekly and track participation of community members.
• Communicate with partners, disability organizations, members of coalition workgroup members, and funders on a regular basis, including engagement with participants from previous project phases to support continuity and community involvement.
• Support project leadership by coordinating task assignments and workflow among team members.
• Review and edit project materials for accuracy, clarity, and accessibility prior to dissemination.
• Establish and lead virtual meetings for work groups, leadership, coalition and partners in accessible formats.
• Establish agendas for work groups, leadership, coalition, and partners in accessible formats.
• Maintain detailed notes and disseminate them to partners.
• Work with the data and dissemination manager to support development of the AAC peer support hub, including site building, testing, and content review.

• Review and refine evaluation tools developed to assess project processes, such as surveys and feedback instruments, and provide actionable insights to the leadership coalition to inform ongoing program improvement.
• Analyze and prepare de‑identified data from surveys, listening sessions, and interviews.
• Assist with tracking and evaluation of outcomes for assigned projects.

Participate in UCEDD meetings and projects, providing expertise to support outcome assessment, dissemination, and coordination of activities, particularly related to AAC, as needed.

• Master's in a relevant field AND 2 years of relevant experience OR Bachelor's in a relevant field AND 4 years of relevant experience.
• 2 years’ experience in research and community services, or a combination of related experience, preferably coordinating teams on projects emphasizing quality improvement.
• National experience working with people who use or need AAC and successfully communicate with them.
• Experience disseminating information in accessible formats.
• Experience leading meetings with AAC users and disability organizations through virtual platforms.
• Experience setting agendas for coalition meetings with AAC users and…