Director of Disability Accommodations and Support Services

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: 

Provides overall management, leadership, and program direction for Disability Accommodations & Support Services (DASS). Oversees campus-wide compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) as the Campus Student ADA Coordinator.

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES: 

Serves as a member of the Retention, Outreach, & Inclusive Student Services (ROI) leadership team and provides the Associate Vice President (AVP) with critical information and feedback on all core matters related to the success of DASS. Develops, implements, and assesses the vision, purpose, aims, objectives, and strategies for all programs and services within DASS. Develops the overall disability accommodations services’ planning, implementation, assessment, and quality improvement (PPIAQI Model) of the experience for students, faculty, and staff with an emphasis on student development, satisfaction, and retention. Provides counseling and guidance to assist qualified students with disabilities in their transition and adjustment to the University. Reviews disability documentation and determines appropriate accommodations in the classroom and for other campus activities. Serves as the administrator, lead trainer, and consultant regarding DASS; develops and implements a series of ongoing workshops to assist students, faculty, and staff regarding providing reasonable accommodations to qualified students including those with mental health conditions. Ensures compliance with  Federal, State, and local laws as well as all CSU Executive Orders, Coded Memorandums, CI policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to: California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Government Code Section 12920 et seq., the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, (ADA) 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq., and Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. Section 701 et seq. Advises the AVP on complex and highly sensitive matters related to providing accommodations and support services to students with disabilities. Manages all programs and services provided by DASS including note-taking and testing services. Works closely with faculty and staff within the interactive process in order to ensure the University provides all required accommodations inside and outside the classroom. Works closely with Assistive Technology and Alternative Media staff to ensure equitable access to all electronic information and technology, including instructional materials in the classroom. Assists the AVP with the creation and assessment of the ROI Business Continuity Plan, Emergency Operations Plan, and Resource Allocation and Management Plan. Serves on Division and University committees as directed by the AVP (e.g., Emergency Preparedness Team, Light It Up Blue, Disability Awareness Week Planning, and Commencement Planning Committee, etc.). Strategizes and implements best practices in the design, development, and oversight of disability accommodations and educational awareness programs. Assists the AVP with developing and implementing a strong student-centered philosophy within DASS and ROI. Assists with the strategic planning process, the overall assessment and quality improvement of all ROI programs and services. Executes the preparation, planning, allocation, and management of financial resources for DASS. Monitors and reports the financial state of the department monthly by providing detail of expenditures, projections, and challenges for DASS. Executes the preparation, planning, allocation, and management of staff resources for DASS. Trains, supervises, and evaluates all staff including student assistants within DASS. Assists the ADA Coordinator, human resources, faculty affairs, and facility services as needed in the planning, design, and implementation of ADA services. Assists the AVP with leadership and facilitation of the area’s staff orientation, leadership retreats, on-going training, and development of all ROI personnel. Assists the AVP in strategizing long-range personnel plans based upon enrollment projections, anticipated revenue, and the strategic plans. Provides consultation as needed to the University community regarding ADA compliance, particularly in high risk and emergency situations related to student welfare. Prepares annual reports and other reports requested for DASS. Coordinates student programs to ensure compliance with the ADA, Sections 503 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal laws and regulations pertaining to persons with disabilities. Responsible for coordinating University policies and procedures (including drafting new as well as regularly reviewing and updating as needed) relating to students with disabilities, tracking University progress relating to its policies and procedures as well as state and federal laws relating to persons with disabilities, and providing consultative services to all University areas. Provides campus-wide ADA training as it relates to providing student access. Interacts with government agencies as needed; conducts investigations; draws conclusions, and makes recommendations for action. Serves as liaison with external state and federal agencies. Works collaboratively with campus departments, including Facilities Services, Dean of Students office, Public Safety, Student Conduct, and Housing & Residential Education in regards to ADA compliance. Serves as a repository for employee accommodation requests and monitors effective, interactive resolution processes. Performs additional related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISOR/OTHER WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs-ROI. Provides direct supervision for all staff and may directly supervise student assistants as needed within DASS. Works closely with the Title IX and Inclusion Office. Serves as a member of the ROI leadership team. Forms collaborative relationships with students, ROI staff, Division of Student Affairs staff, and other University administrators, faculty, and staff.

REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION: 

Master's degree from a regionally-accredited university in rehabilitation counseling, counseling psychology, clinical psychology, counselor education, social work, public administration, special education, rehabilitation, law or other closely related discipline required; Juris Doctorate with experience with ADA law is strongly preferred. At least five years of professional experience effectively managing a program or department with progressive responsibility, preferably in disability services or ADA law is required. Knowledge and experience interpreting and applying Federal Regulation 504 and the ADA required. Must be a forward thinking, innovative leader with analytical ability to create new strategies and solutions for a dynamic and diverse student population. Extensive knowledge of disability issues and the provision of services to students with disabilities in a college setting. Demonstrated ability to create and conduct effective programming for students with diverse abilities required. Knowledge of various assessments and diagnostic tools used to determine accommodation needs and the ability to interpret the results of the assessments is required. Demonstrated and conflict resolution mediation skills required. Ability to communicate in various forms with diverse populations including faculty and staff is required. Must have abilities and attributes that enable effective representation of disability accommodations and support service issues in the campus community, and effective interaction with, and the ability to gain the respect of faculty, counseling staff, colleagues, administrators, staff, parents and students. The ability to present comprehensive evidence-based information to administration, faculty, staff, and student groups. Knowledge of budgeting and forecasting for purposes of assisting in the development of a student affairs organization. Strong team building skills. Knowledge of National, State and local laws related to providing disability accommodation and support services including FERPA is strongly preferred. Active experience with emergency management and/or intervention activities.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.