Disability Resource Center Specialist

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA) is a forward-thinking student success operation committed to its role as the leading custodial unit guiding the student experience at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). Staff members within DSA are expected to positively contribute to our mission of supporting students in the co-curricular environment and provide an experience that inspires students academically, personally, and emotionally.

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) collaborates across UNC’s diverse community to ensure that aspects of campus life – learning, working, and living – are universally accessible. The DRC promotes universally designed environments and facilitates accommodations, training, collaboration, and innovative programming. The Center provides the institution with resources, education and direct services to ensure that people with disabilities have increased opportunity for equity and socially just access to university experiences. Essential to the missions of the institution and the Division of Student Affairs, the DRC aims to remove barriers, create a sense of belonging and support success for the university community.

The Disability Resource Center Specialist supports the day-to-day functions of the Disability Resource Center including managing office and testing operations in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This position is responsible for supervision of student employees, developing office procedures, facilitating trainings, and assisting with budget management and procurement. Additionally, this position is responsible for triaging and managing accommodations requests and communication regarding accommodations in a timely and legally compliant way. This position serves as an AIM database administrator for the office and works closely to support other University units that utilize the AIM system. This position serves as a positive liaison and representative for the office and performs a variety of professional, administrative, and communication functions with students, faculty, staff, families, and administrators.

This position is designed as a Responsible Employee under Title IX and a Campus Security Authority under the Clery Act.

Job Duties

Office Management (60%)

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  Works with the DRC Director to regularly review, develop, and enforce office policies and procedures in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

• Triage and manage accommodations requests and communication regarding accommodations in a timely and legally compliant way.

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  Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate student desk assistants. Make decisions regarding scheduling, staffing, corrective action, and termination, as needed. Develop training materials.

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  Prepare web content, memos, reports, and letters for students, support people/families, and campus partners.

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  Serve as a database administrator of the Accessible Information Management (AIM) database. Troubleshoot concerns. Provide database training and support to other staff, as needed.

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  Receive and appropriately handle confidential disability documents i.e. assign to DRC Advisor or upload to AIM as mandated per DRC policies and procedures, file accordingly.
• Provide a high level of customer service to students, faculty, staff, and support people/families who call, email, or seek services from the DRC in person. Engage in effective and inclusive verbal and written communication. Respond to concerns and questions in a timely manner. Engage in healthy conflict resolution and de-escalation strategies.
• Serves as back up interpreting coordinator. Works with contracted agencies to provide accommodations, as needed.
• Refers students to appropriate campus resources, including the Dean of Students Office, the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance, the Center for Student Wellbeing, and UNC Counseling Center, among others. Reports concerns in alignment with DSA expectations.
• Understand laws and policies regarding students’ privacy including FERPA and HIPAA. Handle sensitive information and record management appropriately. Ensure students’ privacy is maintained.
• Assist the Director of the DRC with budget management and procurement on behalf of the unit. Understand multiple budget types and appropriate use of funds for general operating and foundation/donor accounts.

Managing Specialized Testing Operations (30%)

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  Manages and oversees daily operations of the DRC Testing Center, in alignment with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA, and other relevant laws and policies.

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  Ensure students are provided with their approved exam accommodations. Communicate with faculty regarding testing policies and procedures and student questions.

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  Coordinate testing and class times. Schedule rooms for testing. Order testing supplies.

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  Ensure that faculty provide exams in a timely manner to uphold students’ rights and equal access.

• Safeguard all exams in a locked and secured area.

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  Monitor testing rooms. Confirm that testing rooms are clean and appropriately set up for student test takers. Respond to instances in which a student is suspected of violating UNC’s academic integrity policies during testing at DRC, consulting with the Director as needed.

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  Work with Adaptive Technology Coordinator to ensure required software/programs are installed on testing computers. Confirm tests have been converted to alternate format as needed.

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  Respond to concerns from students, faculty, and staff regarding testing. Determine appropriate course of action to resolve concerns and ensure that students are being appropriately accommodated.

• Understand laws and policies regarding students’ privacy including FERPA and HIPAA. Handle sensitive information and record management appropriately. Ensure students’ privacy is maintained.

Campus Collaboration and General Administration (10%)

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  Work effectively in a team environment. Collaborate with staff in the DRC on projects and initiatives.
• Prepare meeting agendas and maintain accurate meeting notes.
• Serves as a positive liaison/representative of the DRC to a variety of constituents.
• Participate in Division of Student Affairs trainings and professional development.
• Serve on institutional and departmental committees as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Education:

Minimum requirement: An earned Associate’s degree plus 2 years of professional experience related to the duties of this position, or:

Preferred qualifications: An earned Bachelor’s degree

2. Experience:

Experience in progressively responsible administrative positions in Student Affairs, office management, customer service or comparable areas. Experience with AIM or another database system for managing student/client/patient records is preferred. An understanding of current issues in serving individuals with disabilities is preferred.

3. Certification/Registration/Licensing:

None.

4. Ability:

• Excellent and demonstrated organizational skills.
• Excellent and demonstrated communication skills, oral and written
• Problem-solving and decision-making skills, emotional intelligence, and independent judgement
• Commitment to working with students and staff of diverse backgrounds.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Office, file management systems, and virtual meeting products

5. Special Considerations:

This position needs to be flexible with work assignments and prioritize tasks to meet deadline(s).

Benefits:
Benefits available include health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance, as well as a selection of several defined contribution retirement plans for all full-time positions. Employees at UNC receive sick leave, and other leave options may be available based on position. Full-time employees are eligible to receive tuition waiver benefits, as well as dependents and spouses of UNC Employees who are employed at 0.5 FTE or above are eligible for undergraduate dependent tuition grants of up to 50%. These tuition grants will cover in-state tuition charges. Further requirements may exist. Other benefits may be available based on position.

About UNC
The University of Northern Colorado is a public doctoral/research institution located in Greeley, Colorado. UNC’s commitment to education began in 1889 and continues to be a transformational force for our students. According to CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index, UNC ranked #1 in social mobility (2022). UNC is also committed to providing our faculty and staff with the support they need to succeed as professionals, educators, and in life. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub,to learn more about UNC’s strategic plan, school programs, and employee benefits. Go Bears!

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
The University of Northern Colorado believes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is the pathway to achieving an inclusive community and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. UNC supports the growth of individuals who care about race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, lifestyle, age, educational background, national origin, religion, or physical ability – to honor the intersectionality of our campus. Please visit UNC’s Career Hub to learn more about UNC’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

AAEO Employer
The University of Northern Colorado is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer that is committed to a culturally diverse staff, faculty, and student body.

The University will not engage in unlawful discrimination in employment or educational services against any person because of race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status. Veteran status and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is the University’s policy to prohibit discrimination in employment or educational services on the basis of sexual orientation or political affiliation. The University will likewise take affirmative action to ensure that student applicants and enrolled students are treated during the enrollment at the University without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability or veteran status. Such affirmative action shall include, but not be limited to the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff, retirement, or termination; rates of pay or other forms of compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. Furthermore, the University will post in conspicuous places, notice setting forth the provisions of this University’s Equal Opportunity Policy.

Federal regulations require that the University of Northern Colorado retain all documents submitted by applicants. Materials will not be returned or copied for applicants.

Background Check
Satisfactory completion of a background check, educational check, and authorization to work in the United States is required after a conditional offer of employment has been made. The successful candidate must submit original transcripts within one (1) month of hire.

This position is contingent on funding from the Colorado State Legislature, approval by the Board of Trustees, and subject to the policies and regulations of the University of Northern Colorado.

Clery Act
In compliance with the Clery Act, the most recent University of Northern Colorado Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online. A paper copy can be requested at the UNC Police Department. This report contains crime statistics and policy statements related to safety, conduct processes and Title IX investigations.