Senior Disability Specialist

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit cover letter and reference.

Department Summary

The Center for Accessible Education (CAE) facilitates academic, housing, dining, transportation, and other accommodations designed to promote equal educational access for UCLA students with qualifying disabilities. CAE supports the mission of Student Affairs to contribute to the teaching, research, and public services purposes of the University. The CAE is a central student service unit within Student Affairs and is the sole UCLA department authorized to determine student eligibility for disability accommodations and services.

Position Summary

• Interprets and assesses whether determined accommodations conflict with or violate technical and academic standards set by the Division of Graduate Education, appropriate professional school, or accreditation agency.
• Liaises with on-campus and off-campus departments and programs to coordinate services and to explain services for graduate and professional students served by CAE.
• Leads disability awareness presentations and programming for campus faculty, staff, and students in graduate and professional academic programs.
• Works in the Center for Accessible Education (CAE) as a technical expert in the field of Disability Resources with recognized expertise in specific areas related to services and accommodations for graduate and professional students.
• Determines reasonable accommodations and provides disability-related support and coaching on theses and dissertations, research responsibilities, internships and field placements, practicals and clinicals, and other academic milestones unique to graduate and professional programs.
• Interacts sensitively with students (with various disabilities and from diverse backgrounds) and with campus colleagues, governmental officials, and community representatives.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other staff members, subordinates, and management.
• Advise, guide, and lead other staff members in the delivery of support services and accommodations to students.
• Assists in general office functions when needed.

Qualifications

• 3 – 5 years Professional experience in post-secondary settings with students who have disabilities, particularly those in graduate and professional programs.
• 3 – 5 years Professional experience in post-secondary settings with graduate students or professional school students.
• Advanced knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Assembly Bill 746.
• Working knowledge of UC Guidelines and Practices, and University Policy as they pertain to disabled students.
• Advanced knowledge of academic and technical standards and expectations of students in graduate and professional academic programs.
• Advanced knowledge of accommodations and disability resources practice supporting students in graduate and professional programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to provide counseling on disability management and compensatory strategies for students with disabilities.
• Advanced skill in collaborating with individuals, depts, and organizations both on and off campus to identify and implement reasonable accommodations and support for graduate and professional students, including for theses and dissertations, internships, field placements, practicals, clinicals, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing to obtain and convey information.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact sensitively with students (with various disabilities and from diverse backgrounds) and with campus colleagues, governmental officials, and community representatives.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other staff members, subordinates, and management.
• Ability to interpret, analyze, advise on, and implement complex policies and procedures related to graduate and professional academic program requirements, support services, and professional/technical standards.
• Ability to assist in general office functions when needed.

Special Conditions for Employment

• Background Check: Continued employment is contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory background investigation.
• Live Scan Background Check: A Live Scan background check must be completed prior to the start of employment.
• CANRA: The position is designated as a mandatory reporter under CANRA. The employee must sign the "Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse".

Schedule

8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.