Direct Support Professionals-Academic Program Director

Location: ALBANY, NY Category: System Administration Job Type: Part-time Posted On: Tue Oct 27 2026 Job Description:

Job Summary:

The SUNY Direct Support Professionals (DSP) Microcredential Program is an innovative academic initiative implemented in partnership with the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Through sponsored project funding provided by OPWDD, 20 SUNY campuses actively participate in a credit-bearing microcredential program which embeds national certifications for DSPs. This program exclusively supports DSPs currently working in the field in NYS as they pursue a series of credit-bearing microcredentials and work toward a series of national certifications issued from the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP).

This is a half-time position that will have supervisory authority over three professional staff hired through the SUNY Research Foundation.

Office/Location-Remote

Job Duties:

The DSP Academic Program Director will:

• Serve as chief academic officer of the OPWDD DSP program.

• Provide oversight and management of the DSP academic program for microcredentials.

• Provide continuous analysis of academic program completion.

• Work with campus academic leadership to review enrollment capabilities with regard to student success record.

• Collaborate and work closely with VC Workforce Development and Provost Office of Academic Affairs on program evolution and development.

• Working with the program sponsor, evaluate and monitor campus data collection and reporting.

• Evaluate academic and business workflow processes to ensure program success and continuous improvement.

• Make recommendations for campus continuation and/or suspension.

• Develop teach-out plans for campuses when necessary.

• Facilitate campus collaboration and support transfer across institutions when needed to support student success

• Meet with campus DSP leads once a month; meet with the Success Coaches once a month; and campus academic leadership as necessary.

• Coordinate budget allocation and enrollment approvals in collaboration with OPWDD.

• Review financial reporting and reconcile to campus business operations and enrollment. Make recommendations for process improvements and operational efficiencies.

• Supervise coaching support (1.5 FTE) and grant manager.

• Work closely with SUNY System Budget Officer.

Job Requirements:

Required Education/Qualifications:

• Master's degree is required, preferably in Human Services or other related field such as counseling, education.

• At least 10 years of professional experience in higher education.

• At least 5 years of institutional academic leadership experience.

• A deep understanding of student success and retention strategies in higher education, preferably with adult learners.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work closely with faculty and other coaches and staff.

• Experience working with SUNY microcredentials is preferred.

Note: this project is funded by a term-limited contract sponsored by NYS OPWDD.

The salary range is $65,000-$75,000 for 50% effort. Compensation will depend on a variety of factors that may include but are not limited to experience, education, training, and certifications

Additional Information:

As an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer, The Research Foundation for SUNY will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, creed, religion, sex, pregnancy-related conditions, reproductive health decisions, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, citizenship, physical and mental disability, prior arrest or conviction record, genetic characteristics/genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, military status or service, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under federal, state or local law.

The Company will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

The Research Foundation for the State University of New York is not an agency or instrumentality of the State of New York. Employees of the Research Foundation for the State University of New York are not state employees, do not participate in any state retirement system, and do not receive state fringe benefits. The Research Foundation for the State University of New York operates under a contract with The State University of New York and receives no directly appropriated state funding.