Director of Student Accessibility Services

St. John's University•New York, NY

2d•$84,000 - $95,000•Onsite

About The Position

St. John's University, established in 1870, is a Catholic and Vincentian institution with a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Director of Student Accessibility Services (SAS), reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness, provides leadership, planning, and supervision for disability support services. This role ensures compliance with state and federal laws, manages data systems, directs program activities, develops disability awareness curricula, supervises staff, maintains a student caseload, collaborates across the university, and manages the departmental budget. The SAS is part of the integrated Department of Student Wellness, which includes Student Health Services, Wellness Education and Prevention, Center for Counseling and Consultation (CCC), Campus Recreation, and Sexual Violence Outreach, Awareness, and Response (SOAR). The Director will lead and oversee the SAS office on the flagship campus in Queens.

Requirements

Master’s degree or JD required, JD or doctoral degree preferred in Special Education, Psychology, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field.
10+ years of experience in leadership developing, coordinating, and managing disability-related services.
Proven track record of developing innovative programs that strengthen the quality of services provided to students with disabilities.
Deep understanding of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 504, and Amendments.
Understanding of physical, cognitive, and emotional/mental impairments.
Ability to comprehend and interpret psychological assessments, disability documentation, and diagnostic testing and to determine appropriate, reasonable accommodations.
Awareness of best practices for adaptive technology.
Strong oral and written communication skills.
Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues in an environment that promotes innovation, teaching, learning, and service to a diverse student population.
Effectively interact with people from diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
Collaborate with community agencies that serve people with disabilities.
Apply legal and policy provisions to various problems consistently and correctly.
Manage categorical budgets and grants.
Handle interruptions, frequent deadlines, and multiple assignments.
Knowledge of federal and state laws as they pertain to working with students with disabilities in an educational setting.
Knowledge of accommodations and support services typically provided to students with disabilities in higher education.

Responsibilities

Lead the administration, organization, and daily operations of the SAS office, including scheduling services and maintaining records and tracking systems.
Set up and maintain a database system for monitoring and reporting on student demographics, needs, and service effectiveness for program improvement.
Supervise staff, including student workers and graduate assistants.
Plan and implement effective policies and procedures to improve services and ensure compliance with state and federal laws regarding students with disabilities.
Promote understanding and awareness of programs, needs, and innovative services in the field of disability, including Universal Design.
Maintain current knowledge of legislation and technology related to disabled students' programs and services.
Develop a disability awareness curriculum for faculty and staff to promote disability inclusion, community awareness, and retention for students with disabilities.
Develop and implement a plan for promoting SAS programs and services to students, parents, and faculty through marketing materials, website updates, and social media.
Review documentation of disability, including psychological, medical, academic, and educational assessments, and recommend reasonable accommodations for academic programs and residence life.
Oversee requests for Emotional Support Animals and manage the Committee on Service and Assistance Animals.
Coordinate services and equipment for reasonable accommodations, working with third-party vendors for assistive technology, note-takers, transcription services, and sign language interpreters.
Identify and implement assistive technology resources to ensure students with disabilities have access to university curricula and programs.
Develop and implement program orientations and other transition and success activities for students with disabilities and their parents.
Identify and collaborate with public and private entities that provide services, assistance, or information to students with disabilities.
Assist in college efforts to ensure all programs and services are accessible and consult with Human Resources, Facilities, and other divisions regarding campus and program accessibility.
Act as a liaison, advocate, and resource person for students with disabilities.
Identify sources of grant funding and scholarship programs for students with disabilities.
Manage the annual departmental budget.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness.