Executive Dean, Access and Disability Support

Austin Community College District•Highland, CA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Dean provides districtwide leadership, strategic planning, and administrative oversight for Austin Community College’s Access and Disability Support (ADS) programs. The role sets the area’s vision, priorities, and budget; ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, state and federal accessibility requirements, and college policies; and represents ADS to college leadership, faculty, students, and the community. The Executive Dean leads and holds the ADS leadership team accountable and serves as the final decision-maker on policy and escalated cases. The position oversees data-driven accommodation operations intended to improve student retention and academic success across undergraduate, continuing education, and adult education populations. It conducts compliance audits of student accommodation files at least twice each year, reports results to senior leadership, and develops and monitors corrective action plans. The role also partners with the ADA/504 coordinator or director to support districtwide physical, digital, and instructional accessibility. The Executive Dean manages staff and department resources, develops training and professional development, and collaborates with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Business Affairs, college committees, and community partners. The position is on-site at an assigned campus, requires travel between campuses and other locations, and includes in-person events and workshops that may occur some evenings or weekends.

Requirements

Master’s degree.
Five years of related work experience, including management and supervisory experience in a higher education setting.
Knowledge of accessibility and universal design principles and best practices for accessibility policies, practices, and services for individuals with disabilities.
Knowledge of laws and regulations concerning students with disabilities, including the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Knowledge of principles and practices for designing and implementing accessible, high-impact student support programs and services across student populations.
Knowledge of supervisory principles, practices, and methods for department and staff oversight.
Knowledge of data gathering and statistical reporting.
Knowledge of institutional budget management and fiscal accountability.
Knowledge of institutional policy development and higher education governance structures.
Ability to maintain an established work schedule and monitor, direct, and support programs and staff working in person and remotely.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including tact and diplomacy when collaborating with executive leadership on inter-divisional decisions.
Ability to design, coordinate, and facilitate professional development for audiences with varied backgrounds and skill sets.
Strong organizational and planning skills, attention to detail, and follow-through.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of work-related information and materials.
Ability to use spreadsheet, word processing, database, and presentation software.
Ability to work on-site at an assigned campus and travel between campuses and other locations; participate in in-person events and workshops, including some evenings or weekends.
Ability to meet the physical demands of a standard office environment, including standing, walking, sitting, and occasional lifting of up to 10 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Disability Studies, Vocational Rehabilitation, Rehabilitation Counseling, Human Development with an emphasis on disabilities, Accessibility Studies, Social Work, Higher Education Administration, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

Direct districtwide strategic planning, program assessment, and operational oversight for Access and Disability Support in alignment with institutional goals.
Lead and hold accountable the Directors of Accommodations, Operations and Technology, and Sign Language Interpreting and Communication Access.
Develop the department budget and manage financial allocations to ensure efficient use of resources within college guidelines.
Direct ongoing data collection, analysis, and reporting to improve program quality and operations.
Ensure ADS programs and services comply with the ADA, Section 504, and institutional policies.
Conduct biannual audits of representative student accommodation files, reviewing interactive processes, documentation, individualized accommodations, appeal notices, and secure recordkeeping.
Report audit findings to senior leadership within 30 days and implement corrective action plans, policy updates, and targeted staff training.
Partner with the ADA/504 coordinator or director to maintain districtwide physical, digital, and instructional accessibility.
Manage staff recruitment, hiring, training, performance evaluation, goal-setting, and progressive discipline in accordance with HR policies and employment law.
Build a collaborative team environment and provide coaching and professional support.
Lead professional development and training for ADS staff, proctoring personnel, and faculty in coordination with Academic Affairs.
Assess training needs and maintain expertise in accessibility practices, assistive technology, Universal Design, and Universal Design for Learning.
Serve as a key liaison to the ADS Executive Advisory Committee and collaborate with Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Business Affairs leadership.
Represent ADS on college-wide committees and councils and participate in districtwide strategic initiatives, convocation, and commencement events.
Develop, implement, and provide strategic support for community partnerships.
Provide information and referrals to students, faculty, staff, and community members about student accessibility and disability support services.