DRC Assistant Director for Accommodations Job Listing at University of California in Santa Cruz, CA (Job ID 59391)

Description

JOB POSTING

The Disability Resource Center is looking for an innovative leader to join a talented group of committed disability justice advocates. This position is primarily in person with a possibility for some remote days based on the needs of the work.

NOTIFICATIONS

The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California's COVID-19 vaccine program.

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our Talent Acquisition website. 

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD.  Talent Acquisition cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant's behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 10-11-2023

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Disability Resource Center (DRC) leads UC Santa Cruz in providing educational equity and a welcoming environment for students with disabilities. The DRC identifies legally mandated Accommodations that address disabling barriers and with faculty and students to remove barriers. The DRC educates campus on disability, diversity and equal educational access. The team ensures compliance with State, Federal and local laws and ensures compliance with UC policies.

JOB SUMMARY

Functions as the Assistant Director. Leads weekly Service Coordinator meetings and deals independently with a wide range of accommodation issues raised by students and faculty. Manages a caseload of complex student cases and works with students who have co-occurring disabilities that involve autism, mental health, and chronic health conditions. Provides guidance to faculty on implementing accommodations.  Decisions can impact University compliance and liability under federal and state disability law and regulations. Works with Senior Service Coordinators to review and complete emotional support animal and housing requests. Supports the Grad Services Coordinator and Senior Service Coordinators who work with graduate students and in communicating with graduate departments about complex curricular or accessibility challenge

Demonstrates a high degree of ADA subject-related knowledge in the overall field. Analyzes, resolves problems, and functions as an advisor to the unit and administration. Exercises independent judgment within defined procedures and policies to determine appropriate action. Provides direct supervision to professional staff and oversees DRC Service Coordinator staff to assure accountability and stewardship of department resources (operational, financial, and human) in compliance with departmental goals and objectives.

This position requires someone with expertise in the disability and higher education field who can lead and work with a high degree of autonomy to manage complex student cases and serve culturally diverse student groups with intersecting identities and marginalized populations experiencing mental health-related concerns. The position requires the incumbent to understand, assist and train new staff on the ADA interactive process. This position also works in collaboration with campus partners like CAPS, Title IX, CARE, and Respondent Services to provide support for students with multiple access needs; and back up the DRC Director with complicated student cases. When the DRC Director is unavailable or on leave, the position acts as Interim Director to help oversee the Disability Resource Center operations and to support and advise Service Coordinators with more complex student cases. The Assistant Director also delegates some coaching and training responsibilities to the Senior Service Coordinators.

This position hires and supervises professional staff and advises faculty, departments, and coordinators about best practices for working with specific populations (e.g. autism, students with psychological conditions, etc.) with the goal of providing a smooth transition and extra support navigating the University's resources, developing success-learning strategies, and also raising awareness around disability-related issues and stigma.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $90,000 - $102,000 / Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift 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)

Travel:  Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% - Supervision and leadership of Accommodations unit and Staff

• Advises SDS3 and SDS4 level professional staff on more complex disability issues.
• Manages the weekly consultation for complex student cases
• Ensure that authorized and/or recommended academic support services for students are implemented by faculty and department staff.
• When concerns arise, consult with DRC colleagues / Director and other professionals, and synthesize information from various professional and legal resources, including complex court cases, OCR complaints, settlements, and related resources.
• Directs others in following the ADA interactive process beginning with the student request for accommodations to the delivery of the accommodation in the appropriate setting - institutions of higher education.
• Responsible for the day-to-day supervision and performance evaluation of DRC Auxiliary Service employees, services, and programs
• Interviews, selects, and trains direct report employees.
• Recommends corrective action as needed to address performance issues
• Works with staff to facilitate disability accommodations

20% - DRC Leadership

• When the DRC Director is unavailable or on leave, acts as Interim Director with the Assistant Director for Auxiliary Services to help oversee the Disability Resource Center operations.
• Shares responsibility with the leadership team for the day-to-day office operations of the DRC spaces. Rotates primary responsibility for in-person decision-making, student/staff crisis resolution, and emergency response with DRC Director and Assistant Director for Accommodations.
• Participates in leadership team meetings and leads planned initiatives (may include safety planning, fundraising, etc.).
• Works with the Business Manager and Director to procure, maintain, and update resources needed for the provision of auxiliary services including licenses, physical equipment, computers, etc.
• Shares responsibility for inventory management.
• Meets periodically with Assistant Director for Auxiliary Services to address and resolve shared concerns.

15% - 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 committees and other campus meetings.

5% - Compliance

• Maintains updated expertise regarding legal mandates through participation in national and state list-serves, professional development, publications, and research.
• Make recommendations to DRC Director regarding campus policy changes in response to changing legal, best practices, and emerging technological information.
   

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Thorough knowledge of the ADA, CAL FEHA, FHA and campus policies plus Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act with regulations and the legal framework involving accommodations for higher education students with disabilities.
• Thorough knowledge of procedures for assessing and determining disability accommodation issues, including the Disability Compliance Office procedures.
• Ability to follow the required ADA/504 process from student request to implementation.
• Ability to advise students on how to file a grievance when required by policy and guidance from the Office for Civil Rights.
• Thorough knowledge of assessment, accommodation, and intervention techniques involved in employee's specialty, for example, learning disorders, mobility disability, visual impairment, etc.
• Skill to communicate with instructors and other organizational entities regarding a student's accommodations and other academic needs.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Multicultural competency and experience advising diverse and groups of students.
• Demonstrated analytical and problem solving skills such as the ability to see patterns and trends, and make recommendations for improvement; research and implement new and improve existing procedures and work methods.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret medical and diagnostic reports; summarize reports written by others; and draw service implications from them.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and good judgment (e.g. the ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, sensitivity in interacting with students, parents, staff, faculty, administrators, and community members).
• Demonstrated excellence with training and supervision.
• Excellent initiative, resourcefulness and project management.
• Excellent writing skills, including the demonstrated ability to produce professional correspondence, proposals and reports, using Word processing or other computer applications, and related technology.
• Developed skills in supervising a small team of employees in compliance work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent presentation skills utilizing multiple modalities and other aspects of universal design to effectively teach a variety of learners.
• Master's degree in educational psychology, special education or a related field and demonstrated work experience in a college-level student support service serving students with disabilities, OR an equivalent combination of experience and related coursework regarding individuals with disabilities, with an emphasis in post-secondary education environment.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work primarily on campus, with periods of remote work possible based on operational needs, and be able to fulfill requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

EEO/AA

University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.  

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit:  https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/4010393/PPSM-20

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/1001004/Anti-Discrimination