Assistant Dean of Students for Accessible Education and Student Support

Position Purpose:

The Assistant Dean of Students oversees the Office of Accessible Education and Student Support, provides campus leadership around equal access for students with disabilities, and coordinates all efforts and resources to support students of concern and student case management. The Assistant Dean of Students will provide direct non-clinical support to students who are experiencing significant issue in a number of areas: academics, mental health, physical health, economic concerns, conduct issues, family relationships, and social adjustment.

Job Duties:

• Meet 1:1 with students of concern to develop individual success plans and track progress on personal and academic goals.
• Assist students in navigating academic support options, including course deferrals, withdrawals, and leaves of absence, and coordinate with instructors.
• Communicate with staff, parents, families, or designated emergency contacts regarding emergencies, including hospitalization, and develop a plan for return to campus and/or assist students in navigating the medical leave of absence process.
• Serve as a liaison between Student Affairs and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) staff regarding students of concern.
• Collaborate with other campus offices to provide support to students and expedite resolution of problems, Residence Life and Health Education, Health Services, Community Standards, and Office of Equity and Inclusion.
• Provide referrals to support services within the College as well as community-based resources.
• Follow up with students who have been referred to campus or community resources to ensure compliance with recommendations.
• In partnership with the Director of Accessible Education, provide direct services to students with disabilities, including intake and advice on documentation requirements, referring students for testing and to other campus resources, and providing general advice and guidance.
• Serve as a Student Support Advisor, providing personal support and supplemental academic advising to a cohort of students.

• Design systems and structures for student support that identify students for early intervention who may be struggling academically in collaboration with the Registrar.
• Lead and organize the Student Support Advisor (SSA) program where 14 Student Affairs staff members are assigned to be a student’s consistent advisor for their 4 years at Bates: Assign new students and caseload, monitor SSA participation, remind SSAs if they have a struggling student they have not addressed, design SSA training at multiple points in the academic year.
• Monitor compliance with and remain knowledgeable about laws and case law affecting access to institutional resources, accommodations, and accessible education: Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act, Assistance Animals, etc.
• Serve as a member of the Academic Standing Committee
• Serve as a member and leader of the Bates CARE Collaborative making student referrals when necessary.
• Review and update policies and procedures relative to access and accommodations for students with disabilities, and case management for students of concern.
• Design an office data collection and assessment plan.
• Develop data reporting structures and presentations to communicate the work of the office to campus constituents.
• Oversee financial management for disability services and student support (e.g., note taking, adaptive technology, training, student employment, etc.).
• Partner with the Office of Residence Life and Health Education to coordinate policies and practices that facilitate access and inclusion for students with disabilities in the residential college setting.
• Support Director of Student Support in Leave of Absence process. Maintain and update policies and procedures as necessary.
• Maintain and develop sound case management documentation practices using Bates Reach (Starfish).
• Assist the Director of Accessible Education with the Accessible Education Testing Center, including proctoring testing center as needed.
• Participate in rotating on-call schedule, responding to emergencies and urgent student situations that occur outside of business hours.

• Assist in training and consultation with faculty, staff, students, parents, and external stakeholders on reporting students of concern.
• Provide support and leadership to other units and departments within the Bates Community regarding access. This includes ensuring that the universal design framework is being applied where possible in curricular and co-curricular environments.
• Assist in the development and execution of programming, including faculty/staff and student-facing events and initiatives regarding accessible education and students with disabilities.
• Assist with larger event functions and programming within the Office of Student Affairs including but not limited to, Orientation, Graduation Week, and Commencement.
• Other duties, committees, and responsibilities within Student Affairs as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Master’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, student development, higher education, or related field preferred.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience considered.

Experience

• Minimum of five years of experience in higher education or closely related field preferred.
• Direct experience in case management, disability services, or related area.
• Experience working in collaborative and dynamic office environments.
• Experience working within a complex office environment with frequently shifting tasks and priorities.
• Experience working with multiple constituencies in sometimes difficult and stressful situations.
• Demonstrated success in supporting students from underrepresented groups, including students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, first-generation-to-college students, LGBTQ identified students, students with disabilities, and low-income students.

Skills and Knowledge

• Commitment to equity and inclusion, and serving the needs of a culturally and educationally diverse community.
• Knowledge about and skills in developmental, psychological, and medical issues in the college student population.
• A strong social justice orientation and understanding of disability as a social construct, including an approach to work that focuses on barrier-removal
• Working knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, its 2008 amendments, and other appropriate laws pertaining to higher education and disabilities
• Strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated track record of effectively working with students in crisis.
• Excellent judgment and awareness for interpersonal dynamics.
• Knowledge of current case management trends and literature.
• Ability to remain composed, friendly, and demonstrate poise under stress.
• Excellent communication (written, verbal and presentation) skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to develop and maintain collegial relationships with clientele such as students, staff, faculty and community partners.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to quickly synthesize information from a variety of sources in order to make informed recommendations for the best welfare of students.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality when dealing with sensitive student information.
• Ability to effectively engage with diverse personalities and manage difficult situations.
• Ability to learn and be comfortable with various types of assistive technology such as text-to-speech, smart pens, and other software.
• Proficiency in basic data management systems and assessment practices (e.g., Microsoft Word and Excel, Power Point, WordPress [website], Google docs, email, and calendar).
• Ability to work independently and handle multiple priorities with minimal supervision.

Benefits:

Bates College offers competitive salaries, excellent benefits (health, dental, sick leave, 24 days of vacation, 2 personal days, 13 paid holidays, dependent care subsidy, free parking, access to library and athletic facilities & more), and a supportive, collegial environment in a drug and smoke-free workplace.