Access Consultant (2810) [Multiple Positions]

Northern Valley Indian Health; DeKalb (IL); Hybrid; CLP 38,853,000 - 60,130,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Illinois University Disability Resource Center (DRC) offers guidance, services, and resources to help students access the NIU experience. Remote work status is allowable with permission from and in coordination with supervisor.

The Access Consultant conducts the interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations, developing relationships with students to understand how education affects access and promoting universal design in collaboration with campus partners.

Qualifications

• Experience in higher education disability services is preferred.
• Knowledge of ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Ability to develop and implement reasonable accommodations plans.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
• Ability to work with diverse student populations.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate accommodations through the interactive process with students and faculty.
• Communicate with faculty and university staff to implement accommodations.
• Maintain timely written records documenting the DRC process.
• Develop programming for disability-related populations and student groups.
• Provide academic support and coaching related to study skills and independence.
• Connect students with university resources and supports.

Skills

General office practices

Customer service

Communication skills

ADA law knowledge

Collaboration with faculty

Documentation

Education

Master’s degree in related field

Licensure/licensed credentials (LPC/CRC/LSW/LCPC)

Job description

Find your Career at Northern Illinois University!

Access Consultant (2810) [Multiple Positions]

Working Position Title Access Consultant (2810) [Multiple Positions]

Classification

Classification Program Assistant - CUSTOM CLASSIFICATION

Position Number

Position Number 00002810

Open Date

Open Date 08/28/2026

Close Date

Close Date 09/14/2026

Priority Review Date

Employee Class

Employee Class Staff

Full-Time/Part Time

Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time

FTE

FTE 1.00

Position Status

Position Status Regular

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Job code

Job code 5001

Union Representation

Union Representation Union

Union Code

Union Code AFC - AFSCME C, Local #1890

Unit/Department

Unit/Department Disability Resource Center

College/Unit

Division

Division Academic Division

Location

Location CL 180

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

Northern Illinois University Disability Resource Center ( DRC ) offers guidance, services, and resources to help you access the NIU experience. We work with our students to determine their needs and develop a plan to meet their comprehensive needs. Promoting self-advocacy and communication skills, we focus on helping students create collaborative relationships with faculty and staff. Our office works to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations for students and the campus community.

Remote work status is allowable for this position with permission from and in coordination with supervisor.

Position Summary

The Access Consultant conducts the interactive process to determine reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, resulting in students gaining access to curricular and co‑curricular environments supported through legal mandates. Emphasis is on developing a deep relationship with students in an effort to better understand how the educational environment impacts access.

Additionally, collaboration and communication with faculty and the general campus community is important in an effort to promote universal design and reframing disability. Effective communication with parents, campus partners, and university resource offices, as needed, is also critical.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Accommodations Coordination

• Conduct initial conversation with students, faculty, and staff to identify barriers to fully access campus participation.
• Determine reasonable accommodations based on experience with and advanced knowledge of best practices in the field of disability services, rehabilitation counseling, and ADA law.
• Teams with DRC staff to facilitate implementation of accommodations: accommodated test proctoring; document conversion; accommodated housing and dining requests, tabling events, etc.

Communication & Documentation

• Collaboratively communicate with faculty/instructors and other University personnel to coordinate the effective delivery and implementation of reasonable accommodations.
• Vigilant in maintaining timely required written records that document the DRC process including the determination of specific accommodations in an effort to provide appropriate services and maintain compliance.
• Communicates effectively with students regarding accommodations, DRC processes, and individual responsibilities while supporting student self‑advocacy.

Maintain & Interpret Disability Education

• Maintain current knowledge of “Best Practices in Higher Education” as it relates to disability services delivery as framed by the social model of disability.
• Understand and interpret various forms of disability documentation including IEPs, 504 Plans, psycho‑educational testing, medical records, summary plans of performance, and how these third‑party sources of documentation interact with established reasonable accommodations.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Process Development & Improvement

• Actively participate in the continuous improvement process related to the design, delivery, evaluation, and revision of departmental services, procedures, processes, and activities.
• Work with students in understanding what educational technology they use or may use in the determination of reasonable accommodations and are able to instruct/demonstrate how to use and trouble shoot technology compatibility issues.
• Develop, facilitate, and administer programming for specific disability‑related populations such as support groups, mentoring programs, student organizations, leadership opportunities, and the technology accessibility committee.
• Work individually and in group settings with students with disabilities to support the effective use and implementation of approved accommodations, including communication and self‑advocacy with faculty.
• Provide individualized academic support and coaching related to study strategies, time management, organization, executive functioning, and other skills that promote academic success and independence.
• Connect students with appropriate university resources and supports based on identified needs.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position, may be required.

Please See Required Specialty Factors Below:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects
• Skill in oral and written communication
• Ability to work effectively with staff, the public, and outside constituency groups
• Ability to organize and multi‑task
• Ability to supervise and knowledge of administrative concepts and methods.
• Ability to utilize various computer software packages
• Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in order to be able to analyze and investigate a variety of questions or problems

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

• At least one (1) year of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• At least one (1) year of experience with providing services such as implementing accommodations and monitoring effectiveness, assessing needs and determining appropriate services, supports, or referrals to providers, case management, and/or monitoring individual cases and following up on identified needs for individuals with disabilities.

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Master’s degree in a field related to Student Personnel work; Disability Studies; Counseling; Rehabilitation Counseling; Social Work; Special Education; Vocational Rehabilitation, etc.
• Any one or more of the following licenses/certifications:
  • Licensed Professional Counselors ( LPC )
  • Certified Rehabilitation Counselor ( CRC )
  • Licensed Social Worker ( LSW )
  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor ( LCPC )
• Minimum of one (1) year (12 months) working in a disability related field or providing direct services in student services (beyond internship).
• At least two (2) year of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• At least two (2) year of experience granting and implementing accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge, training, or experience in State and Federal laws related to Disability Rights, ADA , Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Knowledge of universal design and social model of disability.
• Organizational skills related to case management.
• Multiple identity development.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity.
• Demonstrated communication skills including public speaking.
• High level of comfort and proficiency with desktop computer applications.

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

Additional Requirements (SPS)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

• General office requirements.
• Ability to sit, stand and work on computers for long periods of time.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 10/16/2026

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year

Percent of Staff Year 1.00

Standard Hours Per Week 37.50

Working Hours

Working Hours Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Some evenings and/or weekends as needed.

Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services Building Room 230
[e-mail]
815-753-5560

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of Assurance Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at [e-mail] .