Access Specialist

Virginia Commonwealth University; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Commonwealth University is seeking an Access Specialist within the Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity to support students with disabilities. You will assess accommodation needs, coordinate services, and work with faculty to ensure equal access to curricular and co-curricular activities.

The role involves case management, intake interviews, documentation review, and collaboration with campus partners; occasional after-hours events may occur, with a strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Experience in higher education student support, advising, case management, or program administration.
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Experience reading and interpreting psychological, medical, and educational documentation.
• Ability to present trainings and workshops in virtual and in-person formats.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion within a university setting.

Responsibilities

• Review documentation to determine eligibility for accommodations.
• Conduct intake interviews with students to identify barriers to participation.
• Guide students on initiating and maintaining services (intake forms, accommodations, scheduling).
• Serve as a resource for faculty, staff, and advisors on accessibility matters.
• Maintain records of accommodation processes and interaction with students and staff.
• Input meeting notes and communications into a database system.
• Assist with SAEO workshops and conferences for faculty and students.
• Provide testing center support (proctoring, exams, etc.) as needed.
• Represent SAEO on campus committees and events.
• Support program development and university initiatives.

Skills

ADA/504 knowledge

Case management

Student support/advising

Training/presentations

Diversity & inclusion

Documentation interpretation

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Counseling / Education / Social Work / Psychology / Human Services

Master's degree in Higher Education / Counseling / Student Affairs / Social Work / Education

Tools

Assistive tech familiarity

Job description

Unit: Student Affairs (Vice Provost) MBU

Department: Student Accessibility & Edu Opportu

Department Summary: Who We Are

Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO) is the designated office on VCU's Monroe Park Campus that fosters an environment where all students have equal access to the University's programs, services, and activities.

Our Mission

Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity champions holistic student development and success by creating a campus culture that strives to ensure equal access and inclusion.

Duties & Responsibilities

Position Description: The Access Specialist will assist the Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity to provide accommodation and coaching supports for students with disabilities to ensure equal access and promote success at Virginia Commonwealth University. The Access Specialist works with individual students to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations and provides appropriate follow-up and disability-related supports. They serve as the campus resource specialist in the development of accommodations and academic adjustments for this population, providing ongoing consultation and problem-solving assistance to faculty and staff.

Duties And Responsibilities

Case Management

• Review medical, psychological, educational, and other appropriate documentation to determine students' eligibility for accommodations.
• Conduct initial intake interviews with students to identify barriers to full participation in the curricular and co-curricular environments.
• Provide guidance for students on how to initiate and maintain services (e.g., completing intake forms, requesting accommodations, scheduling with the Testing Access Center, communicating with faculty, etc.)
• Serves as a resource for faculty, staff, and advisors on all matters related to student accessibility.
• Maintain comprehensive records of accommodation process and interaction with students, faculty, and staff.
• Input meeting notes and communications into a database system.

Office Support

• Assists with Student Access Office workshops and conferences presented to faculty, students, and other professionals.
• Occasional assistance with the Testing Access Center, as needed (proctoring, final exam support, reading and scribing for exams, etc.)
• Serves on the various VCU committees
• Assist in the development and implementation of programs
• Performs other duties as assigned by Director and Assistant Director
• Represent the SAEO office at various campus events (occasionally during evening or weekend hours)

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Counseling, Student Affairs, Education, Social Work, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Entry-level experience providing student support, advising, case management, or program administration in a higher education or related environment.
• Working knowledge and/or field experience interpreting and applying the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• Experience reading and interpreting psychological, psychiatric, medical, and educational documentation.
• Experience creating presentations and offering training opportunities in both virtual and in-person environments.
• Excellent collaborative skills and ability to work with a diverse range of professionals from varying backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations in an academic setting.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so at VCU.
• Experience providing student support, advising, case management, or program administration in a higher education or related environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Higher Education, Counseling, Student Affairs, Social Work, Education, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Progressive direct experience working with students with disabilities in a higher-ed setting or related environment.
• Experience working with students with physical, sensory, learning, psychological, and/or other disabilities in a higher education setting.
• Experience and familiarity with graduate programs, field placements, and flexible arrangements.
• Basic experience with assistive technology, hardware or software, and auxiliary aids used by students with disabilities to support educational access.
• Progressive experience providing student support, advising, case management, or program administration in a higher education or related environment.

Salary

Up to $45,000 (based on experience)

Benefits

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status

Exempt

Hours per Week

40

Restricted Position

No

ORP Eligible

No

University Job Title

35221N - Specialist SS 1

State Role Code

29133

Contact Information

Contact Name: Brianne Bannister

Contact Email: [e-mail]