Director of Center for Disability Resources

General Description of the Position

The Director, Center for Disability Resources position is a key leadership position for Delaware State University with a direct reporting line to the Vice President of Legal Affairs. Delaware State University is committed to the Social Model of Disability. To that end, the Director will have broad responsibility for overseeing University programs, accommodation services, and procedures to assure individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to engage in the interactive process and receive the same equal and equitable access to all programs, goods, services, education, and employment available to their able-bodied peers. This position often works with campus stakeholders to foster an even more welcoming, inclusive, respectful, diverse, and engaging University community. Other special projects will be performed as assigned.
The Director, Center for Disability Resources will directly oversee the Center for Disability Resources (CDR), with responsibilities for: supervision, training, and mentoring of all CDR staff; strategic planning in line with the University’s Mission and Strategic Plan; creation of Center student learning and program outcomes based on the CAS Disability Resources and Services Standards (2023); assessment; budget oversight; engaging in the interactive process and determining reasonable accommodations for University staff, faculty, and campus guests under the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended. Knowledge of disabilities, adaptive technology, advocacy, Federal and State disability laws and policies, legal compliance standards, strategic planning, campus/community resources, experience directly determining reasonable accommodations for employees and students as well as previously holding supervisory roles in higher education is essential for the successful candidate in this position. Collaboration and communication with students, staff, faculty, and senior administration is an important aspect of this job. This is currently an in-person position with opportunities for hybrid work; some weekend and evening hours are required.

Essential Functions & Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential Functions
The following are the functions essential to performing this job:

• Directly manages the Center for Disability Resources and its employees. Determines organizational structure, reporting relationships and short and long-term staffing needs based on goals and objectives. Oversees the performance appraisal process for staff. Recommends salary administration including raises, promotions, and reclassifications. Approves/disapproves all work guidance actions. Provides employee counseling and discipline as necessary.
• Interprets medical documentation and engages in the interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations, auxiliary aids and services for qualified University faculty, staff, and guests with disabilities.
• Plans, develops, and manages a departmental budget. Recommends and/or makes budgetary and resource allocations. Approves/disapproves departmental expenditures.
• Develops projections for short and long-term planning. Provides financial analyses and reports as needed.
• Serves in a leadership role in the development of comprehensive short-term and long-range strategic plans and goals for the Center for Disability Resources’ (CDR) in alignment with the University’s Mission and Strategic Plan, the Mission of the Office of General Counsel, and the CAS Disability Resources and Services Standards (2023). Partners with Disability Management and Administration departments and others to build support for changes in and enhancements to operations, programs, and services.
• Addresses issues related to allegations of failure to provide approved reasonable accommodations and escalates these matters to the ADA & 504 Compliance Officer as appropriate.
• Develops and monitors compliance with university policies, procedures, and programs to promote university opportunities for persons with disabilities including students, employees, visitors, and other members of the university community.
• Oversees the process and is responsible for maintaining records of all disability and accommodation issues and the resolution and/or appropriate referral of each. Advises and provides instruction to administrators in university departments to ensure compliance when working with individuals with disabilities.
• Ensures that appropriate processes are in place to handle and respond to requests for accommodations from students and employees regarding compliance with the ADAAA and other applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Shares oversight of the University’s Accessible Document Remediation and Creation Program with the ADA & 504 Compliance Officer, with specific attention to Program Phase 1 (meeting the immediate accommodation needs of students and staff with print-related disabilities).
• Maintains current information regarding local, state, and federal laws (including case law) and regulations as well as the best practices of other universities and private employers concerning the rights of persons with disabilities and ways of providing reasonable accommodations.
• Develops and regularly assesses student learning and program outcomes based on the CAS Disability Resources and Services Standards (2023).
• Develops and monitors communication plans and recordkeeping requirements for disability services, accommodations, policies, and demographics that are readily available. Designs and participates in presentations to faculty, staff and students (including New Student Orientation and Open House events) and members of the university community on the provision of equal opportunity for persons with disability through partnership with the CDR.
• Participates as an integral member of University Committees and Task Forces, upon request and as approved by the Vice President of Legal Affairs.
• Creates and facilitates, both individually and through CDR trained staff, a welcoming and positive relationship with new students and parents, University staff, faculty, and campus guests who visit the Center to ensure the exchange is an efficient interaction, provides accurate and up-to-date information, and creates a satisfying experience.

• Must possess working knowledge of the laws affecting persons with disabilities including but not limited to Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act as Amended.
• Ability to, with backed up experience in, determining reasonable academic and employment accommodations within higher education for students, faculty, staff, and campus guests with disabilities is an essential aspect of this position.
• Ability to expand knowledge of applicable laws, rules and regulations and keep abreast of current literature and article readings on student success, especially college students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of FERPA requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective interpersonal relations with students, faculty, staff, parents, and other constituents and ability to exercise discretion and tact in all interpersonal contacts, and to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to plan, implement and evaluate programs, activities, and services for people with disabilities.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the Social Model of Disability.
• Competence in oral and written communication skills necessary for effective advising and teaching.
• Demonstrate knowledge and/or competence in using distance education technologies.
• Ability to work flexible hours including some evening and weekend hours consistent with student and employee needs.
• Must possess sensitivity to cultural diversity and ability to communicate and interact effectively with people of all ages and diverse backgrounds. Must be optimistic, positive, and supportive in all interactions with others.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks according to required deadlines and must have a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated flexibility in a changing administrative model.
• Knowledge and ability to perform ergonomic assessments of individual workspaces for the purpose of accommodation determination.
• Must be familiar with Microsoft Programs (Outlook Calendar, Word, Excel, Power Point, and Publisher) and willing and able to learn other database systems (such as BANNER, Degree Works).

Qualification Standards

• Education: Master's Degree in Counseling, Learning Disabilities, Educational Psychology, Higher Education Leadership or a related discipline required. Terminal degree strongly preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, strong leadership, organization, and communication skills. Experience dealing with crises and managing sensitive information.
• Strong computer skills and a willingness to learn other software and technology as needed. Expertise in adaptive technology, hardware, and software available to persons with disabilities.
• Ability to use Banner Systems.
• Successful experience:
  • Minimum of 3 years’ experience working in a supervisory role within the field of disability in higher education with prior experience interpreting the results of psycho-educational testing, and psychological and clinical documentation of individuals with disabilities is required.
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience directly determining reasonable academic and employment accommodations within higher education for students, faculty, staff, and campus guests with disabilities is required.

Performance Standards & EEO Statement

The criteria for evaluation in this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Ability to demonstrate critical thinking based upon in-depth data, substantiating information, considering, and respecting others' input, personal values, and ethics.
2. Must possess a thorough understanding of and commitment to the mission of The Office of General Counsel and to Delaware State University as outlined in the Delaware State University Strategic Plan.
3. Must possess superior customer service skills and the ability to always maintain collegiality and professionalism.
4. Requires completion and quality of all work in basic research methods and writing according to the established guidelines and procedures of Delaware State University.
5. Ability to handle multiple responsibilities and work in a fast-paced environment.

EEO Statement

Delaware State University is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic global community. The University is dedicated to enhancing diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The University is committed to achieving a diverse faculty and staff and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply.

Equal opportunity employer/program'' and “auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities''.