What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Student Accessibility Services position at College of the Holy Cross?
Job Summary
The Director of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the provision of equitable access to academic programs, resources, and campus services for students with disabilities. This role will guide the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs that support the full inclusion of students with disabilities into the academic and social life of the college. The Director will work closely with faculty, staff, and students to ensure compliance with disability-related laws and regulations while fostering an accessible, inclusive and supportive campus environment.
The Director of Student Accessibility Services (SAS) is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing the provision of equitable access to academic programs, resources, and campus services for students with disabilities. This role will guide the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs that support the full inclusion of students with disabilities into the academic and social life of the college. The Director will work closely with faculty, staff, and students to ensure compliance with disability-related laws and regulations while fostering an accessible, inclusive and supportive campus environment.
Major Areas of Responsibility
Leadership and Strategy
• Provide strategic direction and leadership for Student Accessibility Services, aligning department goals with the college's mission and values.
• Lead and supervise a team of accessibility specialists, ensuring effective delivery of services and resources.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and practices that ensure students with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations, support, and services.
• Monitor trends, emerging practices, and regulatory changes related to disability services and inclusion.
• Serves on Division of Student Development's Leadership Team
Student Support:
• Oversee the intake, evaluation, and accommodation processes for students with disabilities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.
• Foster a collaborative relationship with students to assess needs, evaluate accommodation requests, recommend accommodations, and provide guidance on how to navigate academic and campus resources.
• Advocate for students with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to academic, extracurricular, and other campus programs.
Collaboration & Consultation:
• Serve as a content expert, meeting regularly with faculty and administrators including Class Deans, Housing and Residence Life, General Counsel, Academic Support Services, Registrar's Office, Dining Services, Facilities, Transportation, and the Office of Justice, Equity, Belonging and Identity, to provide guidance regarding compliance requirements and college policy with respect to access and accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Serve as a resource and consultant to faculty and staff on disability-related issues, including accommodations, universal design for learning (UDL), and fostering inclusive classroom and campus environments.
• Assess student, departmental, and campus facilities as related to accessibility and disability and make recommendations for necessary changes and improvements to adapt to the needs of the student population.
Compliance & Reporting:
• Ensure the college's compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act).
• Maintain and update accurate records of accommodations and services provided to students, ensuring confidentiality and adherence to privacy laws (FERPA).
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of accessibility programs and services, providing data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Knowledge of case law, court rulings, current practices and trends/developments in the field of disabled student services in postsecondary education
Training & Development:
• Design and implement training programs for faculty, staff, and student leaders on disability awareness, legal responsibilities, and best practices for creating an inclusive campus.
• Stay current on research and best practices in disability services and accessibility, integrating findings into departmental practices and policies.
Budget & Resource Management:
• Oversee the budget for Student Accessibility Services, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to meet the needs of students.
• Identify and pursue external funding opportunities (e.g., grants) to enhance services and resources for students with disabilities.
Leadership and Strategy
• Provide strategic direction and leadership for Student Accessibility Services, aligning department goals with the college's mission and values.
• Lead and supervise a team of accessibility specialists, ensuring effective delivery of services and resources.
• Develop and implement policies, procedures, and practices that ensure students with disabilities receive appropriate accommodations, support, and services.
• Monitor trends, emerging practices, and regulatory changes related to disability services and inclusion.
• Serves on Division of Student Development's Leadership Team
Student Support:
• Oversee the intake, evaluation, and accommodation processes for students with disabilities, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.
• Foster a collaborative relationship with students to assess needs, evaluate accommodation requests, recommend accommodations, and provide guidance on how to navigate academic and campus resources.
• Advocate for students with disabilities, ensuring they have equal access to academic, extracurricular, and other campus programs.
Collaboration & Consultation:
• Serve as a content expert, meeting regularly with faculty and administrators including Class Deans, Housing and Residence Life, General Counsel, Academic Support Services, Registrar's Office, Dining Services, Facilities, Transportation, and the Office of Justice, Equity, Belonging and Identity, to provide guidance regarding compliance requirements and college policy with respect to access and accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Serve as a resource and consultant to faculty and staff on disability-related issues, including accommodations, universal design for learning (UDL), and fostering inclusive classroom and campus environments.
• Assess student, departmental, and campus facilities as related to accessibility and disability and make recommendations for necessary changes and improvements to adapt to the needs of the student population.
Compliance & Reporting:
• Ensure the college's compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations (e.g., ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act).
• Maintain and update accurate records of accommodations and services provided to students, ensuring confidentiality and adherence to privacy laws (FERPA).
• Monitor and report on the effectiveness of accessibility programs and services, providing data-driven recommendations for improvement.
• Knowledge of case law, court rulings, current practices and trends/developments in the field of disabled student services in postsecondary education
Training & Development:
• Design and implement training programs for faculty, staff, and student leaders on disability awareness, legal responsibilities, and best practices for creating an inclusive campus.
• Stay current on research and best practices in disability services and accessibility, integrating findings into departmental practices and policies.
Budget & Resource Management:
• Oversee the budget for Student Accessibility Services, ensuring efficient allocation of resources to meet the needs of students.
• Identify and pursue external funding opportunities (e.g., grants) to enhance services and resources for students with disabilities.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
• Master's degree in Higher Education, Special Education, Counseling, Social Work, or a related field required.
Experience:
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in student services, higher education, or disability services, with at least 3 years in a leadership or supervisory role.
• Proven experience in program development, strategic planning, and staff supervision.
Skills:
• Interest and investment in Jesuit values especially in the process of assisting students in their growth and formation.
• Skills to analyze, interpret and incorporate into the context of daily work activities and decision-making the intent of the laws, policies, and practices regarding students with disabilities Ability to interpret neuro-psychological and psycho-educational testing.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with a diverse range of students, faculty, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to think strategically and work collaboratively across departments to advance accessibility and inclusion on campus.
• Experience with assistive technologies and academic accommodations, as well as knowledge of universal design principles.
• Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills, with a capacity to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Thorough knowledge of ADA, The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other federal and state guidelines relating to disability, accommodations and access issues for Higher Ed Institutions.
• Experience identifying and resolving complex problems or issues that require detailed investigation, analysis, and interpretation.
• A demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
• A deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by students with disabilities and a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all students.
• Ability to work some evening and weekend events if necessary.
Core Competencies
• Collaboration: Exchanging information, ideas, and thoughts with others in a manner that is proactive and enhances partnerships
• Employee Development: Committing to and investing in your employees, to enable professional growth in their roles
• Inclusion: Actively engaging with the values of the College by promoting a work environment that embraces belonging and demonstrates respect for the opinions and beliefs of others.
• Innovation: Performing one’s job with creativity and proactivity, improving procedures and problem-solving
• Mission/Service Orientation: Focusing on service to others and contributing to the College’s collective mission
• Responsibility: Taking ownership of one’s actions and accountability for one’s tasks and duties
• Team Management: Overseeing the success of your employees, helping to allocate resources appropriately and support the accomplishment of common goals.
Disclaimer
The description above represents the most significant duties of this position but does not exclude other occasional work assignments not mentioned, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the factor degrees assigned.
The description above represents the most significant duties of this position but does not exclude other occasional work assignments not mentioned, the inclusion of which would be in conformity with the factor degrees assigned.
Additional information:
This is a full time, exempt level position with a salary range of $85,000-$90,000. The College is committed to providing competitive market pay for its employees. The College also offers a competitive benefits package for full-time staff, including:
- 10% College contribution to the 403(b) Retirement Plan (1 year wait waiver available)
- This position may be eligible for a hybrid work arrangement - upon hire, candidates will need to live within commuting distance
- Condensed summer 4-day work week
- Tuition & Education benefits
- Wellness programs & ongoing Training and Development opportunities
- Generous paid time off
The College is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and complies with all Federal and Massachusetts laws concerning Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action in the workplace.
To review our Employee Benefit Options, please go to: https://www.holycross.edu/human-resources/benefits
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please attach a cover letter addressing the position requirements along with your resume.
In your cover letter please address how your work might support the College's commitment to inclusive excellence (https://aspire.holycross.edu/inclusive-excellence). Please provide examples of how you have integrated diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into your past work. For more information, please visit http://holycross.edu/diversity.
Please attach a cover letter addressing the position requirements along with your resume.
In your cover letter please address how your work might support the College's commitment to inclusive excellence (https://aspire.holycross.edu/inclusive-excellence). Please provide examples of how you have integrated diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging into your past work. For more information, please visit http://holycross.edu/diversity.
In your cover letter please address how your work might support the College's mission as a Jesuit, undergraduate liberal arts college (see http://www.holycross.edu/mission) and its core commitment to justice and inclusive excellence. Please provide examples of any past work that illuminate your commitments in these areas.
Review of applications will begin as received and continue until the position has been filled.
The College also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the hiring process in compliance with law. Please contact Merrilee Grenier, Senior Associate Director of Employee Relations and Legal Compliance, for questions or to request an accommodation via email at mgrenier@holycross.edu, or by calling 508-793-3957.
The College also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities during the hiring process in compliance with law. Please contact Merrilee Grenier, Senior Associate Director of Employee Relations and Legal Compliance, for questions or to request an accommodation via email at mgrenier@holycross.edu, or by calling 508-793-3957.
Salary : $85,000 - $90,000
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