Residential Access Specialist
About The Position
The Residential Access Specialist works within Student Life Disability Services (SLDS) to improve accessibility and engagement in students’ residential university experience. The position’s primary focus is reviewing disability documentation and student narratives through an interactive process to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations and services. The role requires acquiring knowledge of physical, experiential, programmatic, legal, and policy-related rights and barriers students with disabilities may encounter in residential settings, including housing contracts and assignments, residential programs, dining plans, emotional support animals, and other residential accommodation requests. The specialist collaborates with students, staff, and faculty and participates on accommodation review teams in consultation with Student Life units such as Housing & Residence Education, Dining Services, Facilities, Counseling & Consultation Service, and the Student Health Center. The position also counsels and advises students and reviews academic and other co-curricular, non-residential accommodation requests. It maintains confidential information and database records, documents communications, refers students to campus and community resources, advocates for access, and helps implement accommodations in compliance with applicable laws and policies. Additional work includes contributing to policy and office literature, conducting outreach and educational workshops, training and presentations, serving on University committees and task forces, liaising with other departments, and providing administrative support. The specialist may assist with exam proctoring during high-volume periods and supervise interns or student employees as needed. Final candidates must successfully complete a background check.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in education, human services, social work, or a related field.
- Four years of relevant work experience.
- Excellent administrative skills and ability to manage multiple complex situations.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Understanding of academic accommodations.
- Ability to build and maintain professional relationships and work collaboratively on a team.
- Strong ability to assess situations and problem-solve appropriately.
- Working knowledge of common computer applications, such as word processing, PowerPoint, and Excel.
- Successful completion of a background check.
Nice To Haves
- Master’s degree in higher education/student affairs, human services, social work, rehabilitation counseling, or a related field.
- Four to eight years of relevant experience.
- Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
- Experience working with students in higher education in a residential setting.
- Knowledge of disabilities and relevant laws.
- Knowledge of campus and community resources.
- Knowledge of inclusive educational design.
- Demonstrated presentation skills.
Responsibilities
- Review disability documentation and student narratives through the interactive process to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations and services, with a primary focus on residential accommodations.
- Collaborate with students, staff, and faculty to improve accessibility and engagement in students’ residential university experience.
- Participate in accommodation review teams and consult with relevant Student Life units.
- Counsel and advise students and review academic and other co-curricular, non-residential accommodation requests.
- Maintain confidential information and database records, and document communications regarding students, partner offices, and instructors.
- Refer students to campus and community resources and serve as an advocate for access.
- Work to implement accommodations in compliance with applicable laws and policies.
- Contribute to policy and office literature development.
- Conduct outreach, educational workshops, training, and presentations.
- Serve on University committees and task forces and act as a liaison for other departments.
- Provide central administrative support, including responding to inquiries by email, phone, and at the front desk when needed.
- Assist with exam proctoring during high-volume periods.
- Supervise interns or student employees as needed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
