Assistant Director Disability Services

About the role

This position is responsible for the delivery and oversight of accommodations and related services for students with disabilities, including academic accommodations, sign-language interpreting services, and housing accommodations for a caseload of students with disabilities enrolled at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center Campus (CUIMC).

Responsibilities

• Manage reasonable accommodations and support services for students with disabilities.
• Evaluate all documentation received and obtain additional information when necessary.
• Participate in discussions with appropriate university officials to determine the reasonableness of an accommodation and provide feedback regarding recommendations.
• Congduct follow-up with students to determine effectiveness of action taken.
• Ensure that criteria and procedures for assessing accommodations are clearly identified and disseminated.
• Educate students in understanding their disabilities as well as their rights and responsibilities related to reasonable accommodations.
• Ensure compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 by monitoring successful implementation of individualized accommodations.
• Manage active caseload of students with disabilities and develops a case management system that supports accurate record keeping for each student including relevant information related to eligibility, provision of services, and basis for accommodation decisions and recommendations.
• Primary responsibility will be for CUIMC students; however, some Morningside students may be assigned.
• Develop plans for individual students’ academic and/or personal accommodations in concert with other advisors as needed.
• Oversee the registration process; advise students about the registration process and make recommendations for accommodations and support services.
• Compile reports and analyze data regarding students registered with Disability services and accommodations data for CUIMC students, faculty, staff, and visitors--data elements include utilization, efficiency and cost.
• Provide consultation relevant to disability issues.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and liaison to other University departments and divisions to facilitate services for students with disabilities.
• Interface regularly with faculty and University administrators, including CUIMC schools, Columbia Health, Public Safety, and Student Financial Services on disability issues.
• Present on behalf of Disability Services throughout campus.
• Perform outreach to students, faculty and staff and represent Disability Services at orientation and other events.
• Provide ongoing technical assistance to faculty, class deans, and other advisors regarding the University's obligations to students with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Maintain knowledge of current federal, state and local regulations pertinent to students with disabilities in higher education.
• Maintain and develop a network of contacts and actively seek out and participate in professional development activities to ensure a continual flow of current and emerging information in disability service.
• Manage accommodations for visitors and participants in on-campus events sponsored by the University as well as events not sponsored by the University but held in University facilities.
• Absorb functional and procedural supervision including performance management, mentoring, training, scheduling, and oversight of direct reports.
• Identify professional development opportunities for direct reports including assessing needs of staff and coordinating relevant trainings.
• Perform ongoing assessment of services and campus-wide Disability Services initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 4-5 years of experience in the provision of services for students with disabilities in a college/university setting or related field.
• Must demonstrate knowledge of Section 504, ADA regulations and other relevant laws pertaining to disability in higher education.
• Expertise in evaluating documentation of disability, determining eligibility for services and accommodations, and generating a plan for the provision of services and accommodations in collaboration with the students, faculty and staff.
• Requires exceptional case management and writing skills.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and interact effectively with students, faculty, and staff from a broad range of programs and disciplines.
• Supervisory experience required.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and work as part of a team committed to diversity and multicultural issues.
• Must be detail-oriented with strong organizational and follow-up skills and ability to pivot and work under pressure.
• Computer proficiency is required.