Lead ADA Counselor

Louisiana Community and Technical College System • New Orleans, LA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as the Lead ADA Counselor within the Advising, Retention & Counseling Center at DCC. The role involves leading the development, implementation, and enhancement of services and programs to support students with disabilities and those needing assistance due to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The Lead ADA Counselor will also assist the Title IX Coordinator, serve as a primary resource for campus student accessibility, and provide training and information to faculty regarding student accommodations and legal responsibilities. The position requires conducting crisis assessments, overseeing counseling staff, providing online counseling, maintaining confidential records, developing caseloads for at-risk students, and ensuring compliance with various federal and state laws and regulations.

Requirements

• Master’s degree required with a concentration in Counseling, Education, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, Rehabilitative Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy
• Experience in case-management and working in a fast paced environment overseeing special projects and leading team members.
• Knowledge of FERPA, Title IV regulations, student identity verification requirements, and higher education compliance expectations.
• Experience using Banner or a comparable student information system.
• Operate with an extensive knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, HIPPA, FERPA, Title IX, VAWA, and federal laws and state licensure boards.
• Independently licensed in the State of Louisiana - i.e. Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), or Licensed Psychologist) required

Nice To Haves

• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) credentials a plus
• Doctorate’s degree in Counseling Studies, Social Work or equivalent.
• 3 years management experience; preferably in a higher education counseling setting or counseling adult populations; 1 of these years should be working with individuals with disabilities, administering and creating programs to accommodate individuals with disabilities and Title IX related supportive services, and 3 years of mental health.

Responsibilities

• Lead the review, creation, implementation and enhancement of services, programs, training, policies and procedures to support students with disabilities or in need of supportive services due to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking to support student success and retention and ensure federal compliance.
• Assist the Title IX Coordinator by providing subject-matter expertise on requirements of and compliance with Title IX, VAWA, and related federal state laws.
• Serve as the primary resource related to campus student accessibility and work collaboratively with the Title IX Coordinator to identify, facilitate, and implement appropriate student support services due to disabilities, sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
• Inform faculty regarding student academic accommodation, compliance with legal responsibilities, as well as instructional, programmatic and curriculum modifications. Inform faculty of their rights and responsibilities to ensure equal educational access.
• Monitor and report performance related to goals and manage office contracts and professional agreements.
• Serve as a Lead for all ADA Taskforce and college-wide counseling, and as the liaison between college leadership, faculty, and counselors.
• Conduct crisis/triage assessments and referrals for mental health crisis.
• Assist in overseeing the selection, training, professional development, and evaluation of all counseling staff.
• Provide online counseling services via email, phone, and other applicable technology to include distance education students as needed.
• Maintain confidential student records.
• Provide community resources and follow-up as needed.
• Develop and implement caseloads for at-risk students, including those on academic probation, suspension, or early alert status, providing supportive counseling and behavior intervention as needed.
• May serve on the College Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment Team.
• Review medical documentation and determine appropriate accommodations. ADA Counselor ensures accommodations are consistent across campus and within legal requirements.
• In consultation with legal counsel and the Office of EEO and Title IX, make alterations in the protocol or individual accommodation plans as legal decisions/requirements dictate change.
• Educate and assist faculty and staff with ADA and 504 regulations.
• Provide campus and college-wide awareness regarding rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities or in need of supportive services due to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and the available program resources.
• Provide campus -wide leadership to support collaborative working relationships between Counseling and Accessibility Services and other departments within Student and Academic Services.
• Facilitate partnership between our community partners by coordinating connections/participation in events.
• Ensure Counseling department compliance and coordination of services in regard to DAAPP, BITAT/Maxient, Title IX, VAWA, and related federal and state laws.
• Possess a working knowledge of the overall legal rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities, including the Office of Civil Rights grievance procedures.
• Provide accessibility awareness training (regarding rights and responsibilities of students with disabilities or in need of supportive services due to sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, and the available program resources) for college constituencies such as faculty, staff and administrators.
• Collaborate with students, families, faculty, staff, mental/medical health providers, and social workers.
• Coordinate with Records
• Coordinate with the Office of EEO and Title IX on student complaints alleging discrimination and non-compliance under the ADA and other applicable federal and state laws regarding discrimination based on disability.
• Perform other duties, tasks and assignments as required.

Benefits

• retirement
• multiple medical insurance options
• supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.)
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses)
• holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas)
• generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits
• Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

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