Director, Office of Accessibility and Accommodations

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice.

At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge.

Enrollment Management & Student Affairs at Pacific University is dedicated to fostering student development in support of a more just, sustainable, and caring world. Guided by our core values—equity and inclusion, care, community, and learning—we center holistic student wellbeing, cultivate a sense of belonging, and champion equitable practices. As part of this area, the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) is committed to continuous growth, collaboration, and innovation in service of our students and campus community.

**GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION**

The Director of the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations (OAA) provides leadership and oversight for the university’s disability access and accommodation services, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act of 2008 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The Director is responsible for the overall operations of the OAA, including supervision and development of staff, establishment and assessment of departmental policies and practices, and coordination of accommodation determinations and services. Working collaboratively with campus partners, faculty, and staff, the Director guides institutional efforts to ensure equitable access for students with disabilities, supports complex accommodation decision-making, and leads continuous improvement of services and programs that promote student success.

**ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS**

**MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:**

**1. Leadership, Compliance, and Strategic Direction**

•Provide leadership and administration of all functions of the Office of Accessibility & Accommodations (OAA).

•Serve as the university’s primary interpreter of federal and state disability laws related to student accommodations, including ADA, Section 504, implementing regulations, court precedent, and U.S. Department of Education guidance.

•Lead the development, regular review, and revision of OAA policies and procedures to ensure legal compliance, effective use of university resources, and alignment with best practices, including universal design where appropriate.

•Exercise sound judgment in consulting with University legal counsel and/or the University Section 504 Coordinator on complex or high-risk cases and policy matters.

•Maintain and oversee an assessment plan for OAA, including student outcomes, data collection, reporting, and continuous improvement.

•Provide regular reports on OAA activities as requested or required.

**2. Student Support, Consultation, and Case Management**

•Meet with students to discuss disabilities, determine eligibility for accommodations, and refer to specialists for assessment or testing as appropriate.

•Intervene and consult in situations involving complex, novel, or disputed accommodation requests, including facilitating resolution between faculty and students.

•Operate within established Student Affairs protocols to assess and refer students experiencing behavioral, academic, or attrition risk.

•Listen for and respond empathetically to students experiencing distress, initiating referrals and documentation for follow-up as needed.

•As a core member of Undergraduate and Graduate/Professional Care Teams, maintain detailed case records in Maxient, support coordinated outreach, and engage in consultation with campus partners.

**3. Department Operations, Systems, and Resources**

•Oversee the day-to-day operations of OAA, including office procedures and service delivery. Support the delivery of accommodations, including testing accommodations, as needed.

•Serve as administrator and subject matter expert for the OAA accommodation management system (Symplicity Accommodate), including system configuration, workflows, templates, and coordination with University Information Services.

•Manage the OAA budget and oversee all third-party contracts, including enterprise software, auxiliary aids, alternative format providers, and interpreting services.

•Engage in the ongoing development of OAA services, resources, and infrastructure, including adaptive technologies, auxiliary aids, and accessibility features of university-wide systems.

**4. Education, Collaboration, and Campus Partnerships**

•Provide direction, guidance, and training to faculty, staff, and students regarding disability-related policies, procedures, and inclusive practices.

•Collaborate with campus partners across academic and student support areas (e.g., advising, tutoring, housing, orientation, wellness, co-curricular programs) to ensure accessible and coordinated services for students with disabilities.

•Promote understanding of disability access, equity, and inclusion through consultation, training, and campus engagement.

**5. Supervision, Staff Development, and Professional Leadership**

•Train and supervise OAA professional staff.

•Support ongoing professional development of OAA staff, including current legal considerations, disability-related knowledge, and best practices in accessibility and universal design.

•Contribute to divisional strategic planning, staff training, and professional development initiatives within Student Affairs.

•Represent OAA, Student Affairs, and the university on committees, task forces, and hiring committees as needed.

**SECONDARY FUNCTIONS**

•Actively identify innovative ways to enhance the student experience and student success.

•Occasionally serve on the Student Affairs On-Call Team, participating in after-hours response as scheduled.

•Perform other related duties as assigned.

**JOB SCOPE:**

● Performs duties independently with minimal supervision, operating from specific and definite directions and instructions.

● Decisions are made within legal and University and Student Affairs policy constraints, but often require independent decision-making.

● Oversight of special projects on occasion in collaboration with colleagues within Student Affairs and other on-campus colleagues.

● Complies with laws, rules, and ethical standards applicable to duties.

**SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY**

•Supervises Professional Staff: This position supervises OAA professional staff members and is responsible for hiring, training, performance management, and professional development support. The OAA Director also has ultimate responsibility for OAA student employees.