Assistant Director of Student Support, Accessibility and Disability

Summary

Assistant Director of Student Support, Accessibility and Disability serves as the front-line support for students to assist with academic planning or any non-academic needs for student success. Assistant Director of Student Support, Accessibility and Disability manages the accommodation experience for the law school from matriculation to the bar examination. The Assistant Director of Student Support serves as an advocate for students with disabilities, including helping students understand the laws that inform law school policies and procedures for the application process and guidelines for supporting documentation. The Assistant Director of Student Support educates students with disabilities on the types of support services and accommodations available, and how to access them, including internal and external support services and programs. The Assistant Director of Student Support tracks all students with disabilities, ensuring that accommodations provided are implemented according to the law school policy and troubleshoot problems efficiently upon notification.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Student Support

Serves as the primary point of contact for comprehensive student support for students with disabilities, mental health concerns, and personal matters significantly impacting their ability to perform at their optimum level.

Design and conduct faculty and staff educational workshops to increase the academic and personal support for students with disabilities;

Provide accurate information on academic policies and guidance to students, and make appropriate referrals to address academic difficulties, curricular planning, professional development and disciplinary policies.

Provide initial support for counseling services, in order to help avoid disruptions in service to students;

Identify students who need assistance with academic and non-academic success and refer to the proper department and resources available at the law school

Respond to student inquiries and issues; routes problems to higher-level personnel or the necessary department for resolution. This includes providing general information and appropriate referrals to walk-in students in the student services and support department.

Participates in administrative, faculty, student, alumni, and external committees as assigned

Use critical thinking skills demonstrated by excellent oral and written communication skills necessary for effective advising, dissemination of information, and decision making;

Coordinates and assists with day-to-day functions of the department.

Accessibility/Disability (ADA) Specialist

Serves as initial point of contact for students seeking accommodation and conduct intakes with students using the interactive process to determine qualification and reasonable accommodations.

Collect and review disability assessment documentation for students, receive student feedback and provide recommendations for academic accommodations using law school policies and procedures and in accordance with the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Acts (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Coordinates implementation of student accommodations and auxiliar i.e., alternative formats, e-text, coordinating captioned course needs, ergo chair placement through building, notetaking, sign language interpreters, etc.

Work closely with an outside educational consultant, where necessary, to review recommendations for students, formulating decisions using an individualized, inquiry-based model on an understanding of psycho-educational, psychological, and medical evaluations, interviews, background history, and in-person meetings with students;

Work collaboratively with faculty and staff in providing services to students with disabilities; and establish and maintain effective and positive interpersonal relations throughout the law school and the community;

Maintain accurate documentation and student records in the student information systems (Banner, Maxient, Etrieve and etc.);

Manages exam accommodations, including working with Facilities to prepare the physical set-up for accommodated exams; assigning student setting based on disability needs; identifying and training proctors; monitoring exam space; responding to technical difficulties and disability-related issues during exams; and generally ensuring that students receive the appropriate exam accommodations.

Coordinate and implement workshops for students focused on awareness of accessibility and resources, and the improvement of academic or other skills for students with disabilities;

Collaborate with Assistant Dean of Student Affairs in the development of law school policies and procedures related to students with disabilities;

Participate in professional development opportunities to keep up-to-date on ADA-related policy changes that may impact the policies and procedures for students with disabilities, along with acquisition of skills needed to understand student information system processes (Banner, Maxient, and Etrieve), communications management, and excellent customer service;

Maintain a high degree of confidentiality concerning all student information.

Comply with all aspects of the law school’s Customer Service Standards.

Supervisory Responsibilities

N/A

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The individual must use critical thinking skills, excellent oral and written skills, and sound decision making skills to effectively advise students and disseminate information. Must have a working knowledge of the ADA and ADAAA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other relevant laws.

Must be professional and confidential of all department data and correspondence. The person must have a poised and professional image; strong ability to multi-task and prioritize in a fast paced environment, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact effectively and efficiently with all employees, visitors and students while projecting a positive image for the area and law school. Service oriented with ability to make all visitors feel welcome. Must be computer literate with proficiency in MS Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint) with ability to learn new programs as necessary. Must be detail-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced multi-tasking environment.

EDUCATION And/or EXPERIENCE

Master's degree in higher education, prefer specialization in disability educational administration, counseling, psychology, or related field.

Two years of experience. Preferably in a post-graduate academic setting.

Language Skills

Proficient in both spoken and written English. Ability to interpret and explain complex data. Ability to effectively and professionally communicate in one-on-one and small group situations to students, alumni, clients, and other employees of the organization.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to perform basic to intermediate math essential. Must possess the ability to analyze numerical data and detect patterns, errors and trends.

REASONING ABILITY

Ability to define routine problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to solve routine problems and/or deal with a variety of variables in situations, especially when department head may be out of office or unavailable. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand and walk. Ability to lift up to 20lbs. is required. Lifting from floor level, at waist, and above shoulders required. Infrequent bending and stooping necessary. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision in order to accurately input data and proofread; distance vision in order to recognize and assist visitors to the department.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Extremely fast paced, multi-tasking, non-smoking work environment. Must be able to work the general business schedule of the law school (9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) plus occasional evenings and weekends as necessary.

Competitive Benefits Package For Full-time Staff

• All Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Coverage Effective on your date of hire
• CIGNA Plus Medical & Prescription Coverage (Employee Only Semi-Monthly $71.92)
• CIGNA Dental & Vision (Employee Only Semi-Monthly $3.56)
• HSA/FSA Medical Savings Accounts
• Pet Insurance.
• Life Insurance covered by the law school at two times your basic annual salary.
• Optional Life Insurance for employee and spouse
• Short & Long Term Disability coverage no cost to employee
• 403(b) employee only contribution; auto-enrolled at 2%
• 401(a) Employer contributes 8% of your salary after 1 year and worked 1,000 hours.
• Paid Leave Time, New Employees earn 1 day (7.5 hours) per month
• Sick Leave Time, New Employees Sick leave will be prorated based on the hire date at 9.375 hours per month for the first partial year of employment. On January 1st, staff employees are eligible for 15 days sick leave at full pay.
• 18 Paid Holidays 2024
• Employee and Dependent Tuition Remission options
• FREE Downtown Employee Parking
• Discount Tickets to STCLH Sporting Events for Employee and Family
• On Campus Cafe
  
  

Required Skills

Required Experience