Location: Washington, D.C.
Date/Length of Role: Full-time exempt employee
Organization Summary: Special Olympics District of Columbia (SODC) is part of the global Special
Olympics movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of
sport every day around the world. Through programming in sports, health, education and
community building, Special Olympics is changing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities
solving the injustice, isolation, intolerance, and inactivity they face.
Program Overview: Special Olympics Unified Champion Schools (UCS) is an education-based
strategy for schools Pre-K through university that intentionally promotes meaningful social
inclusion by bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to create
accepting school environments, utilizing three interconnected components: Special Olympics
Unified Sports®, inclusive youth leadership and whole school engagement.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Position scope involves work with all schools in Washington, D.C., primarily District of Columbia
Public Schools (DCPS), as well as pre-school and head-start programs, charter schools, private
schools, colleges and universities.
o Lead a staff of three to manage the Unified Champion Schools (UCS) Program currently in 45
schools
o Develop and execute plan to grow the UCS Program to include adding partnerships with new
schools
o Develop and manage relationships with DCPS leadership to collaborate on program
implementation
o Engage principals, teachers and other school stakeholders to educate them on the
importance of a Unified Education at all levels of youth development and the benefits they
and their students gain from a fully inclusive school community.
o Work with school staff to customize and implement yearly programs encompassing all three
aspects of the UCS Program: Whole School Engagement, Youth Leadership, and Unified Sport
o Develop, track and report on deliverables for the annual Unified Champion Schools
Department of Education grant.
Requirements:
o College graduate with 4-year degree from an accredited college or university
o 3+ years of experience in education, with Special Olympics; or a similar organization in a
project management focused position
o Experience working with teachers/school administrators/athletic directors and a sincere
interest in promoting young people as agents of change through leadership experiences
o Understanding of social emotional learning (SEL) and experience with inclusion initiatives
o Experience in Special Education a plus
o Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office), and facility with learning computer programs
o Strong written and oral presentation skills
o Self-motivated and able to work well independently; also able to work well with a team
o Will represent the organization in a professional manner
Benefits:
Special Olympics DC offers a competitive salary, benefits and a fun, challenging work environment.
For general information, please visit www.specialolympicsdc.org.
Special Olympics DC is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, seeking to recruit, develop and
retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool, representative of the communities
we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or
expression, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, physical ability,
neurodiversity, age, parental status, socio-economic background, military service, or any other
characteristic or status protected by applicable law.
Salary:
Starting at $65,000, commensurate with experience
To apply: Send resume and cover letter to Nicole Preston – npreston@specialolympicsdc.org
Mission:
The mission of Special Olympics DC is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in
a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them
continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and
participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes
and the community.