Assistant Director, Student Disability Services
The University of Chicago

Department

CSL Student Disability Services Administration

About the Department

Student Disability Services (SDS) is located within Campus and Student Life. SDS is responsible for engaging in an interactive process with students to determine their eligibility for reasonable accommodations under the Rehabilitation Act Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendment Act. The SDS team is committed to advancing disability inclusion in all aspects of campus life through the implementation of supports, services, and auxiliary aids. The SDS team serves more than 10% of the UChicago student body, ensuring students have access to the outstanding programs and services that the university offers.

Job Summary

Reporting to the Deputy Director of SDS, the Assistant Director works in a leadership role on the SDS team to collaboratively manage disability access for College, Graduate and Professional students with disabilities. The Assistant Director liaises with medical consultants, IT services, University Library Systems, College Housing, Facilities Services, Parking and Transportation, College Programming Office, Environmental Health & Safety and University of Chicago Police Department, vendors, area deans of students, disability liaisons, faculty, other academic appointees, and other administrators. This is a 12-month, full-time position; weekend and evening hours may be required.

Responsibilities

• Meet with students about their access needs; Reviews supporting documentation provided by students, including medical, educational, and/or psychological assessments.
  
• Makes determinations of whether or what reasonable accommodations are needed in accordance with the ADA, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, ADAA, state and local disability regulations, the Fair Housing Act, relevant case law and legal guidance, and University policies and procedures.
  
• Manage a caseload of college, graduate, and professional students with disabilities; Performs a broad range of duties related to the case management of students' requests for disability services and the implementation of reasonable accommodations and refers students for other appropriate services.
  
• Document communication and events by writing and filing case notes; uses office database (AIM) to maintain and securely store student records in addition to sending accommodation emails, maintaining confidential documentation, scheduling appointments, recording meetings and case notes, and documenting communications with students and University personnel regarding the accommodation process.
  
• Advise students of their rights and responsibilities under federal disability laws.
  
• Oversees the provision of auxiliary aids and services; generates creative and practical solutions to address current and emerging needs; and provides students with resources related to disability issues and accommodation needs.
  
• May assist the Director(s) and/or Access Coordinators with the administration of access services.
  
• Engages with faculty and staff via the interactive process to ensure adequate knowledge of their roles in accommodating students.
  
• Responds to student, parent, faculty and community member questions regarding disability services by phone, Zoom or email.
  
• Participates with the SDS leadership team in advancing a social justice perspective of disability access on campus.
  
• Assists with the development of policies and procedures which reflect best practices and/or industry standards.
  
• Participates in local and national disability organizations such as the Coalition for Disability Access in Health Sciences and Medical Education, the Association on Higher Education and Disability, and the Ivy+ Disability Group.
  
• Stays abreast of current research in the field by reviewing publications, journals, technical information, etc.
  
• Coordinates department or clinic compliance with a moderate level of guidance.
  
• Prepares, completes, and submits all compliance documentation on a routine basis. Coordinates compliance committee meetings.
  
• Performs other related work as needed.
  

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Master's degree in education, disability services, rehabilitation, counseling or a related field.
  

Experience:

• Three years progressively responsible work experience in the provision of disability services in an educational setting.
  
• Demonstrated experience with applying the federal regulations that provide the legal framework for disability services.
  
• Demonstrated experience with determining reasonable disability accommodations and services for post-secondary students.
  
• Supervisory experience.
  

Technical Knowledge or Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of the ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
  
• Knowledge of disability accommodations and best practices in the provision of services to students with disabilities in a college setting.
  
• Knowledge of a wide range of disabilities including, learning disabilities.
  
• Familiarity with available Microsoft Office software and assistive technologies.
  
• Knowledge of best practices and innovations in the field of higher education disability services.
  

Preferred Competencies

• Excellence in interpersonal communication with the ability to maintain good working relationships with students, faculty, staff and other constituents.
  
• Ability to work under pressure in a demanding academic environment; demonstrate decisive insight and develop novel approaches to achieving access.
  
• Ability to utilize sound judgment to make reasonable decisions.
  
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  
• Takes initiative, highly motivated, conscientious, organized, has a strong work ethic, dependable, reliable, highly adaptable, and enthusiastic.
  
• Demonstrated skill in monitoring systems and services to judge effectiveness and make improvements.
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise and work with and enhance a team.
  
• Ability to use databases, experience with assistive technology and computer skills.
  

Working Conditions

• In-person work and may offer remote schedules as appropriate required.
  
• This position may require participation in off-campus programs.
  
• Lifting, bending, walking, sitting for prolonged periods of time, communication, and extensive computer usage required.
  
• Staff to comply with University vaccination requirements required.
  
• Staff to be compliant with all state licensure requirements for individual areas of professional practice, if applicable, required.
  

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
  
• Cover Letter (required)
  
• 3 References (preferred)
  

When applying, the document(s) MUSTbe uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Legal & Regulatory Affairs

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

37.5

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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