Accessibility Specialist

Pepperdine University; South Bend (IN); On-site; USD 38,407 - 41,052; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Dynamic work environment

Job summary

Pepperdine University is seeking an experienced Accessibility Specialist to ensure access for students with disabilities across all programs. In this role, you will work collaboratively with students, faculty, and staff to determine reasonable accommodations and enhance overall accessibility.

The ideal candidate will hold a Master’s Degree and has experience in a higher education setting. This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and benefits package.

Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a related field or two years of experience in a related professional setting.
• Experience in higher education setting, specifically in student counseling or disability studies.
• Understanding of disability theory, identity, and experience.

Responsibilities

• Meet with students with disabilities to understand barriers and needs.
• Work with faculty to implement accommodations and increase awareness.
• Maintain detailed files on student interactions using Accommodate software.

Skills

Excellent judgment and problem-solving skills

Meticulous attention to detail

Written and spoken communication skills

Positive and empathetic approach

Understanding of disability theory

Team collaboration

Education

Master's Degree in a related field

Tools

Google Suite

Job description

The Accessibility Specialist works with administrators, faculty, and staff across all schools of the University to ensure access to classes, programs, and facilities for students with disabilities. Specifically, this position interacts with students as a compassionate listener as they apply for disability accommodations, reviewing medical documentation and helping to determine reasonable accommodations.

Duties

• Meet with students with disabilities to understand their barriers and access needs. Review, evaluate, and interpret disability documentation. Determine appropriate accommodations, in close collaboration with directors. Write timely accommodation letters as appropriate. Provide advising and coaching as necessary.
• Work with faculty of all Pepperdine schools (including graduate and undergraduate) to explain, negotiate, and implement accommodations, consulting with administrators, deans, program directors as needed. Prepare and present workshops to students, faculty, and staff on a regular basis to increase awareness of both disabilities and accommodations. Collaborate with faculty, staff, and the greater Pepperdine community with the goal of Universal Accessibility in all areas of teaching, programming, and design.
• Maintain timely, confidential, and detailed files in Accommodate software reflecting each interaction with an OSA student.
• Serve as support to the alternative text acquisition process, scheduling of sign language interpreters, and securing captioning for students as needed.
• Support the administration of the Malibu Office by actively answering phone calls, responding to emails, and meeting with students, parents, visitors, and prospective students who have questions about accessibility at Pepperdine.
• Support the exam process by proctoring exams when needed. Assist with the processing of Semester Requests and other office procedures.
• Contribute to the coaching of student employees by modeling professional demeanor, respect of all constituents, and exceptional communication skills.
• Provide input into OSA policies and assessment of services for students with disabilities. Keep current on Office of Civil Rights guidance and Disability Law in Higher Education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• Master's Degree in a related field or two years’ experience in a related professional setting as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience in higher education setting, specifically in student counseling or disability studies.
• Understanding of disability theory, identity, and experience.
• Familiarity with accommodations.
• Excellent judgment and problem‑solving skills in a nuanced setting.
• Meticulous attention to detail; Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Positive and empathetic approach to team and work environment; Ability to work under stress and maintain calm and flexibility with changing priorities in a fast‑paced environment; Capacity to follow through tasks to completion; Collaborative approach to work; Commitment to creating a just and fair environment for students of diverse backgrounds.
• Understanding of FERPA and HIPAA in the context of OSA.
• Google Suite, Mac and PC capabilities.

Preferred

• Master's Degree in Counseling, Higher Education, or Special Education.
• Experience with implementation of accommodations in graduate schools or health care setting.
• Knowledge of current assistive technology, Accommodate/Symplicity software, and PeopleSoft.

This is a Restricted, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $27.88 - $29.80 per hour

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co‑religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job‑related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.