Assistant Director, Student Accessibility Center

Job Title ASST DIR STDNT ACAD SVCS
Position Number 8102323
Job Category University Staff
Job Type Full-Time
FLSA Status Exempt
Campus Rogers Park-Lake Shore Campus
Department Name ACADEMIC ADVISING & SERVICES
Location Code SULLIVAN CTR FOR STUDENT SVCES (02046A)
Is this split and/or fully grant funded? No
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Director of the Student Accessibility Center (SAC), the Assistant Director assists in supporting day-to-day operations of the Student Accessibility Center, serving undergraduate, graduate, and professional students with disabilities with needs for academic access, testing, housing and meal-plan accommodations. The Assistant Direct provides coverage and leadership in the Director’s absence.

Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership and Administration:
In collaboration with Director, reviews, develops, and implements policies and procedures for providing individualized accommodations and equal access for students in accordance with legal requirements, especially focused on alternative-format materials, assistive technology and digitial accessibility, testing accommodations/proctoring, and housing.
In collaboration with the Director, recruits, hires, and supervises full-time staff including five Accessibility Specialists, Testing Coordinator, Administrative Assistant, undergraduate and graduate student workers. Oversees hiring, training, and payroll services of staff.
Directly supervises team of up to five Accessibility Specialists. Carries out supervisory responsibilities that include interviewing, hiring, and training staff; assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining staff; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
Oversees provision of accommodated testing, note taking/recording services, and alternative text program in consultation with Director.
Develops and maintains accessibility program materials, website, and other technology in collaboration with SAC staff.
In collaboration with Director, plans and implements program assessments to ensure the quality and effectiveness of service delivery systems.
In collaboration with Director, supports the development and facilitation of faculty training related to accessible materials, instruction, digital systems, and facilities.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of instructional methods/materials and emerging technologies that help students with access and learning. Learns, applies, and trains others to utilize emerging technologies (e.g., computer software applications and assistive technology) as necessary to perform duties in an efficient, organized, and timely manner.
Participate in Student Academic Services signature programs, events, and activities, including but not limited to: Orientation, New Student Convocation, finals week proctoring, and Undergraduate Admission open houses.
Performs other duties as required.
Direct Student Service:
Provides guidance for interpreting disability documentation used to determine eligibility. Provides staff with an understanding of the interactive process. Supports the provision of reasonable accommodations consistent with current law and identified best practices within the field. Ensures confidentiality of records. Monitors the timeliness of approving accommodations and onboarding new students.
Develops training and consultation sessions about the interactive process to orient and train new staff, covering best practices, legal paradigms, consistent and timely communication, and the development and revision of process documents.
Empowers and educates staff to meet individually with students to discuss current accommodations, assess the need for reevaluation of accommodations, foster student self-advocacy, and to ensure and improve communication with instructors/staff.
Monitors communication between faculty, staff, and prospective and enrolled students with disabilities. Provides on-going consultation and technical assistance to facilitate services and accommodations. Organizes individual and group case review sessions to foster sound decision making.
Makes direct referrals to students for evaluations and on-campus academic and wellness resources.
In collaboration with SAC staff, plans and facilitates student accessibility workshops.
Facilitates accessibility participation at various campus events (e.g., Student Organization Fair, Wellness Fair, Orientation Resource Fair, etc.).
Travels as necessary to work at the Water Tower Campus (Chicago, IL), Health Sciences Campus (Maywood, IL), and other campus locations, to ensure that students are receiving effective and timely accommodations and access. Collaborates with faculty and other personnel at these campuses to ensure implementation of approved accommodations.
Collaboration/Consultation:
Serves as a member on internal and university-wide work groups and committees, as needed.
Works closely with the Department of Residence Life regarding housing and dining accommodation needs and for Emotional Support Animals, requested by students with disabilities.
Consults and collaborates with staff in other units, including but not limited to First and Second Year Advising, all undergraduate and graduate programs, New Student Programs, Office of International Programs, Wellness Center, Office of the Dean of Students, and the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution to foster campus accessibility.
Serves as a liaison to the faculty and campus community on issues related to students with disabilities, classroom and curriculum accommodations, and laws related to ADA compliance for students.
Works directly with Facilities Management to maintain and improve accessibility on campus.
Oversees coordination of accommodated testing, note taking program, and alternative text program.
Oversees the provision of Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART), ASL Interpreter services, and Assistive Listening Devices.
Works with faculty to understand and utilize the SAC database, Accommodate, as a means of facilitating accommodations.
Minimum Education and/or Work Experience
Master’s Degree in higher education or related field and knowledge of learning and tutoring theory. Three years’ experience.
Qualifications
Experience(s) should demonstrate the ability to work with college age students who have been diagnosed with physical, medical, psychological, and learning differences.
Considerable knowledge regarding learning differences, ADD, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, and other conditions; determining and applying appropriate accommodations is necessary.
Requires independent professional judgment in the handling and use of highly confidential material and sensitivity to issues of diversity.
Must have experience with the use and interpretation of standardized test results and psycho-educational evaluations.
Strong working knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990; the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2009; Section 508, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), and other federal and state laws pertaining to higher education and disability.
Must have working knowledge of current adaptive technology software programs and assistive technology.
Excellent written, verbal, and electronic communication skills and organizational skills.
Certificates/Credentials/Licenses
Master’s degree in Higher Education, Educational Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Special Education, or related field. Three years of experience working directly with college students with disabilities preferred.
Computer Skills
Technical proficiency in use of computers, software applications such as Microsoft Office Suite.
Proficiency in case management systems; familiarity with Symplicity Accommodate preferred.
Proficiency in student information systems; Oracle PeopleSoft is preferred.
Proficiency in data reporting tools, dashboards, and information retrieval systems; familiarity with Microsoft PowerBI and WebFOCUS preferred.
Supervisory Responsibilities Yes
Required operation of university owned vehicles No
Does this position require direct animal or patient contact? No
Physical Demands None
Working Conditions Irregular Hours
Open Date 09/21/2023