Associate Director, Disability Resource Center

About the role

The Associate Director advances access for students with disabilities by leading complex case management, supporting staff, and advising faculty and campus partners. The Associate Director serves as the first level of escalation for complex or sensitive student and faculty accommodation concerns, implementation challenges, and policy interpretation.

Responsibilities

• Staff Supervision and Management: Responsible for hiring recommendations, training, performance management and assessment, and goal setting. Meets weekly or bi-weekly with employees and provides regular feedback on performance, attainment of goals, feedback on accommodation determinations, and overall well being.
• DRC Operations and Strategic Leadership: Serves as backup in the event of the Director's absence to ensure services delivery and respond to issues. Shares responsibility with the DRC Director for the day-to-day office operations of the DRC spaces. Supports in-person decision-making, student/staff crisis resolution, and emergency response. Participates in leadership team meetings and leads planned initiatives (may include safety planning, fundraising, campus and/or system-wide initiatives, etc.). Shares responsibility for inventory management. Coordinates with the broader DRC team to maintain consistent practices across all departments. In collaboration with the DRC Director, supports academic departments in understanding their role in implementation of accommodations in alignment with student success. Provides oversight of the accommodation management system (AIM) to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent service delivery. Collaborates with the ADA Coordinator and Campus Counsel on complex accommodation issues, policy interpretation, and risk management. Gathers and analyzes assessment data and resource information to inform operational decisions, service improvements, and departmental planning.
• Case Management: Provides disability management advising; authorizes disability related academic accommodations and coordinates support services to a caseload of students with disabilities. Conducts student interviews with prospective, newly admitted or continuing students; determines appropriate level of service (provisional, temporary, permanent), and makes appropriate recommendations/authorizations for support services and ADA academic accommodations. Oversees and resolves complex accommodation cases (remote participation, students with co-occurring disabilities that involve autism, mental health, and chronic health conditions). Utilizes knowledge of complex federal and state legislation (ADA, FHA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act) to interpret disability documentation from medical service providers in order to identify eligible students with disabilities. Provides back-up advising for DRC Accommodations Specialists in their absence. Participates in DRC Accommodations Specialist team meetings regarding emerging legal and technological information, discussion of difficult cases and challenging requests for academic accommodations. Conducts appropriate and accurate data entry for service(s) provided.
• Outreach and Program Development: Conducts outreach activities for students and prospective students/family members, on campus and in the community. Develops and implements student programs, in collaboration with other campus units, to help ensure equal access and a welcoming campus environment for individuals with disabilities. Represents the DRC unit and/or advocates for the population of students with disabilities in the community.

Requirements

Master's degree in a relevant field such as Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, or a related field. Minimum of 5 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, preferably in higher education. Knowledge of federal and state disability laws, regulations, and guidelines. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to interact effectively with diverse groups of people. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with web-based applications. Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously. Experience with case management systems and accommodation documentation. Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and mentorship to staff. Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.

Qualifications

Experience working with students with disabilities in higher education settings. Knowledge of disability laws and regulations. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and web-based applications. Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects. Experience with case management systems and accommodation documentation. Leadership and mentoring experience. Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Skills

Knowledge of disability laws and regulations. Strong interpersonal and communication skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and web-based applications. Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects. Experience with case management systems and accommodation documentation. Leadership and mentoring experience. Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance, retirement plan, paid time off, and more.

Pay

Budgeted Salary: $111,000 - $120,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.

Schedule

Full-time, FixedPercentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per WeekDays of the Week: Mon-FriShift Includes: Day Employee Classification: Career appointment Job End Date: None Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus Union Representation: Non-Represented Job Code Classification: 004560 (STDT DISABILITY SUPV 2) - Grade 22 Travel: Never or Rarely