Disability Access Services Specialist

Whitman College • Walla Walla, WA

16h • Onsite

About The Position

WHITMAN COLLEGE Located in the historic community of Walla Walla , Whitman’s vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country. Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college’s working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO). POSITION PURPOSE Under the supervision and guidance of the Director of Disability Access Services (DAS), the DAS Specialist will advise, counsel, and help students with disabilities become more effective learners with respect for all of the challenges they bring. The DAS Specialist plays an essential role in reducing barriers and ensuring equitable access to the College’s academic programs and to academic and related resources for students with disabilities. The DAS Specialist provides a warm, welcoming on-campus presence to students seeking support for new and continuing accommodations. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES The duties and priorities of this position may shift throughout the year based on the academic calendar. Workload and focus areas vary between the academic year and summer months, with certain responsibilities intensifying or changing depending on the College’s operational needs and student presence on campus.

Requirements

• An understanding of and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Experience working with students with disabilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA and other pertinent federal and state laws that provide for an accessible higher education experience for disabled students.
• Commitment to cultivating a culture of equity, inclusion, belonging, and opportunity that respects the individual strengths, views, and experiences of students and colleagues.
• Experience with, or strong interest in, working with neurodiverse students.
• Knowledge of reading disability documentation and coordinating appropriate accommodations.
• Knowledge of assistive technology and alternative format textbooks.
• Excellent listening and communication skills.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to interact constructively and positively with faculty and with staff in other offices across the campus (i.e., the Counseling Center, Dean of Students, Housing & Residence Life, and Library, etc.).
• A Bachelor’s degree in a field relating to higher education, counseling, student personnel, or related field.
• Experience supporting and mentoring diverse college students in an educational setting is required, preferably a rigorous academic environment in higher education.
• Experience providing direct academic support and advising services to students with disabilities and students from diverse backgrounds.
• OR a combination of relevant education, training, and experience.
• Whitman College values diverse pathways to acquiring skills and knowledge and encourages applicants to demonstrate how their background aligns with the role.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with people with concussions.
• Familiarity with UDL (Universal Design for Learning).
• Background in mental health support.
• A Master’s degree in a field relating to higher education, counseling, or student personnel.
• Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Meet with current students seeking accommodations, working with them through the process of applying or renewing or modifying accommodation requests, including intake meetings, acquiring and evaluating documentation, identifying and implementing accommodations as appropriate, and providing assistive technology support.
• Meet with prospective students and families, assisting with arrangement of disability support services for incoming and returning students, evaluating documentation, identifying and implementing accommodations as appropriate, and providing assistive technology support.
• Adhere to Whitman DAS protocols for obtaining and uploading documentation to support accommodations and for recording notes about the interactive process with students in the Accommodate system.
• Ensure that accommodations decisions are made in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.
• Maintain awareness of and fulfill responsibilities related to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
• Serve as an on-campus presence and resource, and be available virtually, as needed, by students.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to ensure accessibility of programs and services for students.
• Serve as a trusted resource for faculty, staff, and students who have questions about student accommodations.
• Participate in planning and presenting faculty and staff professional development about disabilities and disability student services.
• Advocate for disability awareness as an essential part of DEIA inclusion efforts.
• Serve as DAS Director designee when requested on CARE Team, Campus Accessibility Committee, Housing and Dietary Accommodations Team, and other constituencies.
• Provide support to the Testing Coordinator for accommodated testing, including advising as needed about the proper application of accommodations, the academic integrity of testing, and communication with faculty and students.
• Provide individualized academic coaching and mentoring for students with disabilities (with an emphasis on first-year students)
• In collaboration with the Director of DAS, coordinate acquisition and accuracy of alternative format texts, and work with students and faculty to ensure all alternative texts are in a readable and/or audible format for the student.
• In collaboration with the Director of DAS, coordinate, maintain, and troubleshoot the inventory of assistive technology available for students with disabilities, including training students with disabilities on how to use specific equipment.
• Stay abreast of emerging technology for potential acquisition.
• Contribute to additional DAS projects and initiatives, adapting to evolving priorities and organizational needs.
• Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current on DAS best practices, ADA and Section 504 compliance, and DEIA initiatives, applying new knowledge to enhance DAS programs and services.
• Perform other tasks as requested by the Director of Disability Support Services.

Benefits

• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.
• Basic life , accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.
• 403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements ar e met.
• Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days , 12 accrued sick days , 13 paid holidays .
• Tuition Remission – Dependent Children
• Employee tuition waiver for two Whitman courses per semester.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Relocation assistance for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

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