Director, Student Accessibility Services

St. John’s, established in 1870, has two New York City campuses; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission. As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence.

About the role

Reporting to and in consultation with the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness, this position provides overall leadership, planning, and supervision for the disability support services function to ensure compliance in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations (e.g., Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990). The Director is responsible for designing and managing data information systems, directing and evaluating program activities, developing disability awareness curricula for faculty and staff, supervising professional and support staff, maintaining a caseload of students, and collaborating with all areas of the college. The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is housed within the Department of Student Wellness, which engages in an integrated approach to wellness fostering collaboration among Student Health Services, Wellness Education and Prevention, Center for Counseling and Consultation, Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS), Campus Recreation, and Sexual Violence Outreach, Awareness, and Response (SOAR). The Director will be based on the flagship Queens campus and oversee services for students attending the Staten Island campus.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership in the administration, organization, and daily operations of the SAS office, including scheduling of service provision and maintenance of records and tracking systems.
• Set up and maintain a database system for monitoring and reporting on the number of students with disabilities, their needs, and the effectiveness of service delivery for program improvement purposes.
• Provide direct supervision and management of staff, including student workers and graduate assistants.
• Plan and implement effective policies and procedures to improve services and ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the rights of students with disabilities.
• Promote understanding and awareness of programs, needs, and innovative services in the field of disability, including Universal Design; maintain current knowledge of legislation and technology related to disabled students’ programs and services.
• Develop a disability awareness curriculum for faculty and staff promoting enhanced disability inclusion, community awareness, and retention for students with disabilities.
• Develop and implement a plan for promoting ODS programs and services to students, parents, and faculty, including the development of marketing materials, website updates, and social media.
• Review documentation of disability, including psychological, medical, academic, and educational assessments, and recommend reasonable accommodations for students for both academic programs and residence life housing needs.
• Oversee requests for Emotional Support Animals and manage the Committee on Service and Assistance Animals.
• Coordinate services and equipment necessary for reasonable accommodation, as well as work with third-party vendors to provide assistive technology, note-takers, transcription services, sign language interpreters, etc.
• Identify and implement assistive technology resources to ensure students with disabilities have access to university curricula and programs.
• Develop and implement program orientations and other transition and success activities for students with disabilities and their parents.
• Identify and collaborate with public and private entities that provide services, assistance, or information to students with disabilities, including other postsecondary institutions, social service agencies, and secondary schools.
• Assist in college efforts to ensure that all programs and services are accessible and consult with Human Resources, Facilities, and all other college divisions regarding campus and program accessibility.
• Act as a liaison, advocate, and resource person for students with disabilities.
• Identify sources of grant funding and scholarship programs for students with disabilities.
• Manage the annual departmental budget.
• Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or JD required; doctoral degree preferred in Special Education, Psychology, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field.
• 7-8 years of experience in leadership developing, coordinating, and managing disability-related services.
• Proven track record of developing innovative programs that strengthen the quality of services provided to students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 504 and Amendments.
• Understanding of physical, cognitive, and emotional/mental impairments.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret psychological assessments, disability documentation, and diagnostic testing and determine appropriate reasonable accommodations.
• Awareness of best practices of adaptive technology.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues in an environment that promotes innovation, teaching, learning, and service to a diverse student population.
• Ability to effectively interact with persons of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to work with community agencies that serve people with disabilities.
• Ability to apply legal and policy provisions to various problems consistently and correctly.
• Ability to manage categorical budgets and grants.
• Ability to work with interruptions, frequent deadlines, and multiple assignments.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws as they pertain to working with students with disabilities in an educational setting.
• Knowledge of accommodations and support services typically provided to students with disabilities in higher education.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and life insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• Tuition remission.
• Generous 403(b) employer contribution.
• Employee assistance program.
• Liberal paid time off policies.
• Access to St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation, and sporting events.