Director of Disability Services and Student Success

General Summary

The Director of Disability Services and Student Success provides strategic leadership, administration, and oversight for student accessibility, accommodation, and academic support initiatives that advance equitable access, persistence, retention, and academic achievement within rigorous graduate health sciences programs.

Essential Job Functions

• Accessibility And Disability Services Leadership

  • Leads and administers university disability and accessibility services in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, FERPA, and related federal and state regulations

  • Reviews and evaluates disability documentation and determines eligibility for accommodations in academic, testing, clinical, and experiential learning environments

  • Counsels and supports students in the interactive process to determine reasonable accommodation and support services

  • Develops, maintains, and periodically revises policies, procedures, and operational practices related to accessibility and student accommodations

  • Maintains confidential student records and documentation in accordance with institutional and legal requirements

• Student Success and Academic Support

  • Provides leadership for comprehensive student success initiatives designed to support academic achievement, persistence, progression, graduation, and licensure readiness for all students

  • Develops essential policies around tutoring services/recitation, academic coaching, learning strategy instruction, and study skills development

  • Oversees academic support services including peer tutoring and recitation, academic coaching, learning strategy instruction, and study skills development

  • Supports students experiencing academic difficulty through individualized intervention planning and referral coordination

• Supervision and Program Administration

  • Supervises Learning Skills Specialists, including hiring, onboarding, training, evaluation, coaching, and professional development

  • Develops and manages unit budgets related to accessibility services, academic support programming, assistive technologies, and student employees

  • Collaborates with institutional partners to support accessible and inclusive educational environments

  • Assists with institutional strategic planning, accreditation reporting, and compliance initiatives related to student support and accessibility

  • Advocates for systemic improvements that enhance accessibility, student experience, and educational equity

• Institutional Collaboration and Strategic Initiatives

  • Serves on institutional committees related to student progress, retention, accessibility, wellness, and accreditation

  • Collaborates with institutional partners to support accessible and inclusive educational environments

  • Assists with institutional strategic planning, accreditation reporting, and compliance initiatives related to student support and accessibility

  • Advocates for systemic improvements that enhance accessibility, student experience, and educational equity

Standard Institutional Requirements

• Performs job duties in accordance with safety, legal, and regulatory requirements; University policy and procedures; and accepted business practices

• Acts with the highest level of professional ethical standards in all aspects of job performance, in accordance with the mission and values of PNWU

• Understands and adheres to accreditation standards and expectations specific to the department

Education

• Required: Master’s Degree in Education, Higher Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Counseling, Social Work or Related Field

• PREFERRED: Doctoral Degree in Education, Higher Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, or related field

Experience

• Required: 4-5 years of experience with a minimum of 3 years of experience interpreting and implementing accommodation under ADA and Section 504 within a postsecondary environment

• PREFERRED: Demonstrated experience with non-traditional student populations; prior experience advising students in graduate healthcare professions education programs; and familiarity with accommodation and accessibility considerations related to licensure and board examinations

Desired Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of ADA, ADAAA, Section 504, FERPA, and higher education accessibility standard

• Knowledge of disability accommodation practices within academic and clinical learning environments

• Knowledge of student development, adult learning theory, and academic coaching strategies

• Skilled in strong leadership, organization, project management, and strategic planning

• Skills in written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation communication

• Ability to exercise independent judgment and maintain confidentiality in sensitive and complex situations

• Ability to collaborate effectively across academic and administrative units

• Ability to analyze data, prepare reports, assess outcomes, and implement continuous improvement initiatives

• Demonstrated supervisory and program management experience

• Demonstrated experience managing sensitive high risk student situations with professionalism and discretion

• Knowledge of assistive technologies, digital accessibility standards, and universal design for learning principles

To Ensure Full Consideration Submit:

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position
• Detailled resume
• Contact information for three professional references

PNWU Offers a Comprehensive Benefits Package to Eligible Employees First of the Month Following Date of Hire and Competitive Salary.

Benefit Package (Benefit Eligible is at least .5 FTE):

• Health Benefits - Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• 403b with Roth Option
• Paid Holidays

For Information About Life in Yakima Visit Our PNWU Page.

PNWU Is a Drug-Free Workplace, Equal Opportunity Employer and Educational Institution.