Director of Disability Services

Seattle University

23h • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Executive Director of the Center for Learning Support and Accessibility, the Director of Disability Services is responsible for the leadership and administration of campus wide disability services and compliance at Seattle University. This position oversees the planning, coordination, and evaluation of accommodations and support for students with disabilities, ensuring campus compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). In collaboration with faculty, staff, and campus partners, the Director develops and maintains policies, procedures, and best practices that ensures campus wide compliance and promotes accessibility and equity.

Requirements

• Master's degree required in social work, education, student development, rehabilitation, counseling, special education or related field.
• Three to five years' experience working with students with disabilities in higher education.
• Three to five years of experience supervising staff in higher education.
• Strong interpersonal skills, oral and written communication skills, including making presentations and organizational skills.
• Position requires demonstrated knowledge of disabilities, disability-related issues and legal issues related to Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Ability to interact positively with students in difficult situations.
• All candidates must show a demonstrated commitment to diversity and the university's mission, vision, and values.

Nice To Haves

• Ph.D. in social work, education, student development, rehabilitation, counseling, or related field.
• Certification or training in disability services, higher education, or related field.
• Excellent judgment in situations with complex issues and ability to perform within the tension of competing values and needs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day functioning of Disabilities Services to ensure legal compliance with state and federal law.
• Set priorities with short- and long-term campus accessibility goals and objectives based on assessment of program effectiveness and compliance need.
• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate staff.
• Develop and monitor budget including costs for direct accommodations for students such as interpreting, CART, materials for alternative format production, and captioning of classroom media.
• Ensure operation of student-friendly, staff-efficient services in accordance with current higher educational research, best practices, guidelines as outlined in the recommendations from the Council for the Advancement of Standards (CAS) as well as current legal opinion regarding Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Orient faculty and staff working with students with disabilities to the accommodation process and disability law.
• Train and consult with school/college associate deans on classroom and program academic adjustments.
• Initiate programs and services, in collaboration with faculty, academic departments, schools and colleges, student success and student and campus life, to design and provide accessible and inclusive experiences across campus.
• Assess individual, programmatic, and institutional barriers to access and assist university units with the proactive and responsive provision of accommodations.
• Review of accommodation requests, documentation and accommodation implementation for new and continuing students
• Conduct Access Planning meetings with students to determine accommodations.
• Review disability documentation and determine eligibility for service.
• Engage in interactive process to determine and approve reasonable accommodation.
• Orient students to provision of accommodations and services.
• Assist students as they navigate the transition to college.
• Provide individual support for students with disabilities.
• Act as a liaison between students and faculty; facilitate conversations between faculty and students with understanding multiple needs and perspectives when there are questions about accommodations.
• Interact with families as appropriate.
• Consult with faculty and staff in complex situations.
• Make referrals to on and off campus resources for additional services.
• Ensure all accommodation and services are in compliance with legal requirements and provide documentation when necessary for compliance purposes.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of student accommodations, communications, and any related documentation, in compliance with institutional and legal requirements.
• Provide expert knowledge regarding accommodation strategies in educational settings, disability-based needs, and experiences.
• Use appropriate professional judgment on when to involve others in complex situations around accommodations and law or policy-based requirements.
• Serve on campus committees including but not limited to Student Success Leadership Council (SSLC), CLSA Leadership Team and campus CARE Team.
• Partner with Student Government (SGSU) Accessibility Senator.
• Participate as an active member of the Washington Association on Post-secondary Education and Disability (WAPED).

Benefits

• Seattle University provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your total compensation package.
• Choose from three different medical plans, a dental, and vision insurance programs.
• Protect your income with life, short & long-term disability coverage.
• Plan for your future with up to a 10% employer contribution for retirement benefits, comprised of a 5% nonelective employer contribution and an additional dollar-for-dollar match of your voluntary contributions up to a maximum of 5%.
• You may also take advantage of 100% paid tuition benefits for the employee and dependents, a subsidized transportation benefit, a wellness program with free access to an onsite fitness facility, and a wide variety of campus events.
• Enjoy a generous holiday schedule, including a paid Holiday break closure in December, vacation and paid sick leave, and paid community service leave.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director