Director, Disability Resource Center

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota; Florida; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota invites applications for the Director, Disability Resource Center. This role provides strategic leadership for disability services, ensures ADA compliance, and oversees accessibility initiatives across all campuses and online programs.

The position requires a Master’s degree and 5–7 years of related experience with minimum five years of supervisory experience, and strong budgeting and reporting capabilities. Strong English skills; Spanish a plus.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 5–7 years of related experience in higher education or equivalent.
• Minimum five years of direct supervisory experience.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret regulations; excellent English; Spanish a plus.
• Strong math and analytical abilities; comfort with data reporting and budgeting.
• Ability to manage budgets and coordinate across multiple campuses.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership for disability services and accessibility initiatives across campuses and online programs.
• Directs daily operations across multiple campuses and supervises staff.
• Develops and manages departmental budget and reporting for accreditation and state requirements.
• Leads professional development and staff training in accommodations and accessibility.
• Oversees data collection for required reporting and evaluations.
• Collaborates with faculty and campus resources to ensure accommodations do not compromise program integrity.
• Maintains accurate documentation of student accommodations and related communications.
• Drives campus-wide disability awareness and accessibility initiatives.
• Serves as Chair for course substitution panels and oversees data management and state reporting.
• Reviews disability documentation to determine eligibility for accommodations and supports students throughout their academic experience.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Disability law knowledge

Staff supervision

Data reporting

Policy development

Education

Master’s degree

Tools

College database software

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Presentation software

Job description

The Director, Disability Resource Center provides strategic leadership and oversight of the College’s disability accommodation and accessibility services across all campuses and online programs. This position has the primary responsibility to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the ADA Amendment Act (ADAAA), and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as they pertain to college students and student services. This position does not have responsibility for ADA or Section 504 compliance related to college employees or employment matters. Provides leadership and supervision, develops comprehensive reports related to the operational, budgetary, and service activities for students with disabilities. Develops and formulates program goals and objectives as well as office policies and procedures to assure optimum efficiency and compliance within the Disability Resource Center (DRC).

NOTE: Job descriptions and essential functions are subject to change due to advances in technology, utilization of work force, and other factors which may impact the College’s need to modify position requirements.

The following list of essential job duties indicates the general nature and level of work required in this job. This is not designed to be a comprehensive list of all the activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required in this job. Individuals assigned to this job may be asked to perform other duties as required. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the job.

Applicants may be asked to demonstrate all of the following duties:

1. Provides strategic leadership for disability services, accessibility initiatives, and accommodation practices. Utilizes knowledge of disability law and best practices related to learning and educational equity, inclusion, and accommodation/access services in higher education. Ensures access for campus-wide events, graduation, and academic programs. Develops and formulates goals and effective policies and procedures to maximize departmental efficiency.

2. Compiles data for required reporting for the FLDOE Course Substitution Report for Eligible Students with Disabilities and performs internal assessments in compliance with institutional accreditation requirements.

3. Directs and oversees daily operations across multiple campuses. Provides vision and leadership while supervising, mentoring, and evaluating staff. Oversees staffing, employee scheduling, and leave requests.

4. Engages in professional development activities, including but not limited to, memberships in

professional organizations such as National AHEAD, attendance at conferences and workshops, division and departmental training, and active involvement and contribution to the Florida Association for Higher Education and Disability and regional Cross College Alliance.

5. Develops and manages the departmental budget, monitors expenditures, and maintains accurate and timely budgetary reporting. Demonstrates knowledge of institutional purchasing procedures and evaluates and prioritizes departmental purchasing needs. Manages the Ira and Patricia Strauss Fund for Children’s Literacy grant.

6. Facilitates one-on-one, academic department, and campus-wide faculty training to ensure accommodations do not fundamentally alter course or program integrity while ensuring student access. Collaborates with faculty, staff, and campus resources in the oversight of the delivery of services to students.

7. Ensures accurate documentation of student, faculty, and administrative communications related to student accommodations. Applies complex problem-solving skills and appropriate accommodation appeal processes as needed.

8. Facilitates campus-wide educational disability awareness activities and TOP training programs. Develops and leads initiatives that advance awareness of accessibility across the institution and community.

9. Serves as Chair for the Course Substitution Panel comprised of faculty and staff representatives. Responsible for all data management and state reporting. Consults with Academics regarding potential courses that would provide similar educational outcomes and be appropriate as a substitution within the student’s major.

10. Reviews and evaluates disability documentation to determine eligibility for accommodations and ensures the provision of appropriate and reasonable academic accommodations in accordance with applicable laws and institutional policies. Conducts student intake and accommodation planning processes, promotes student self-advocacy, and provides guidance regarding disability-related resources, accommodation procedures, and assistive technologies. Supports students throughout their academic experience to promote access and success.

11. Performs other duties as assigned.

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience

Master’s degree from a regionally accredited four-year college or university; and five to seven years of related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Supervisory Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of direct supervisory experience is required.

Language Ability

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Excellent English listening and speaking skills required. Spanish language proficiency is an asset.

Math Ability

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral diagram/chart, or schedule form.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, Internet, e‑mail, and presentation software. Must become efficient with current College database software and other College required software within one month of hire.

Certificates and Licenses

None required.

Responsibility for People and Property

Responsible for service excellence of mission critical services/programs that promote student persistence and retention. Provides guidance and facilitation to assist students in the provision of reasonable accommodations, optimizing their educational experience. Provides training to faculty and staff. Responsible for budget and equipment/material acquisitions.

Responsibility for Communication