Director, Student Accessibility Services

St. John's University; Hempfield Township (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 105,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Campus facilities access

Job summary

St. John’s University in New York seeks a Director of Disability Services within the Department of Student Wellness. You will lead the disability support services, ensure compliance with ADA and Section 504, design data systems, and oversee staff and budget.

Reporting to the AVP, you will collaborate with campus partners across Queens and Staten Island, develop curricula, promote accessibility, and advocate for students with disabilities.

Qualifications

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• Master’s degree or JD required; doctoral preferred.
• 7–8 years in leadership for disability-related services.
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 and amendments.
• Ability to interpret psychological assessments and determine accommodations.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Experience developing innovative programs to strengthen services.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the SAS office operations and records management.
• Set up and maintain a database for monitoring students with disabilities and service effectiveness.
• Supervise staff including student workers and graduate assistants.
• Plan and implement policies to improve services and ensure compliance with laws.
• Develop disability awareness curricula and collaboration with faculty and staff.
• Promote ODS programs to students, parents, and faculty; update marketing materials and website.
• Review disability documentation and recommend accommodations for academics and housing.
• Oversee Emotional Support Animals processes and associated committees.
• Coordinate assistive technology and accessibility services with third-party vendors.
• Identify grant funding sources and manage the departmental budget.
• Other duties as assigned by the AVP of Student Wellness.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Collaboration

Budget management

Education

Master’s degree or JD

Doctoral degree preferred

Tools

Data management systems

Job description

St. John’s, established in 1870, has two New York City campuses; international locations in Rome, Italy; Limerick, Ireland; and Paris, France; and study abroad locations around the world. The Princeton Review and other top rankings consistently recognize the University’s outstanding academics, diverse student body, dynamic internship, and volunteer opportunities, focus on student life, and diverse study abroad offerings. St. John’s University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate programs in its six colleges and schools, with a growing number of programs offered online. The University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and 12 other major academic and professional associations.

A dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion is at the heart of our mission. As a Catholic and Vincentian university, St. John’s is committed to institutionalizing practices of inclusive excellence to ensure that we welcome and celebrate the intrinsic worth of all members of our community. We will become an even stronger university as we enhance equity at every level of our institution. Our graduates will excel in the competencies and values needed for leadership and service in a rapidly evolving world.

Job Summary

Reporting to and in consultation with the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness, this position provides overall leadership, planning, and supervision for the disability support services function to ensure compliance in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations (e.g., Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990). The Director is responsible for designing and managing the data information systems, directing, and evaluating program activities, developing disability awareness curricula for faculty and staff, supervising professional and support staff, maintaining a caseload of students, and collaborating with all areas of the college. Responsible for managing the annual departmental budget.

The ODS is housed within the Department of Student Wellness at St. John’s University. The Department of Student Wellness engages in an integrated approach to wellness that fosters collaboration between Student Health Services, Wellness Education and Prevention, Center for Counseling and Consultation (CCC), Office of Student Accessibility Services (SAS), Campus Recreation, and Sexual violence Outreach, Awareness, and Response (SOAR). The Director will be based on and provide leadership and oversight to the ODS office on St. John’s flagship campus in Queens and oversee services for students attending its Staten Island campus.

Job Responsibilities

Provide leadership in the administration, organization, and daily operations of the SAS office, including but not limited to the scheduling of service provision, and the maintenance of records and tracking systems.

• Set up and maintain a database system for monitoring and reporting on the number of students with disabilities, their needs, and the effectiveness of service delivery for program improvement purposes.
• Provide direct supervision of management of staff including student workers and GAs.
• Plan and implement effective policies and procedures to improve services and ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to the rights of students with disabilities.
• Promote understanding and awareness of programs, needs, and innovative services in the field of disability including but not limited to Universal Design; maintain current knowledge of legislation and technology related to disabled students’ programs and services.
• Develop a disability awareness curriculum for faculty and staff promoting enhanced disability inclusion, community awareness, and retention for students with disabilities.
• Develop and implement a plan for promoting ODS programs and services to students, parents, and faculty including the development of marketing materials, updating the website, social media, etc.
• Review documentation of disability, including psychological, medical, academic, and educational assessments, and recommend reasonable accommodations for students for both academic programs and residence life housing needs.
• Oversee requests for Emotional Support Animals and manage Committee on Service and Assistance Animals.
• Coordinate services and equipment necessary for reasonable accommodation, as well as work with third-party vendors when relevant to providing assistive technology, note-takers, transcription services sign language interpreters, etc.
• Identify and implement assistive technology resources to ensure students with disabilities have access to university curricula and programs.
• Develop and implement program orientations and other transition and success activities for students with disabilities and their parents.
• Identify and collaborate with public and private entities that provide services, assistance, or information to students with disabilities, including other postsecondary institutions, social service agencies, secondary schools, etc.
• Assist in college efforts to ensure that all programs and services are accessible and consult with Human Resources, Facilities, and all other college divisions regarding campus and program accessibility.
• Act as a liaison, advocate, and resource person for students with disabilities.
• Identify sources of grant funding and scholarship programs for students with disabilities.
• Manage annual departmental budget.
• Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness.

Competencies, Education, Experience

Skills, Knowledge, And Abilities

• Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues in an environment that promotes innovation, teaching, learning, and service to a diverse student population.
• Ability to effectively interact with persons of diverse socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to work with community agencies that serve people with disabilities. Ability to apply legal and policy provisions to various problems consistently and correctly.
• Ability to manage categorical budgets and grants.
• Ability to work with interruptions, frequent deadlines, and multiple assignments.
• Knowledge of federal and state laws as they pertain to working with students with disabilities in an educational setting.
• Knowledge of accommodations and support services typically provided to students with disabilities in higher education.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or JD required, doctoral degree preferred in Special Education, Psychology, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, or related field.
• 7-8 years of experience in leadership developing, coordinating, and managing disability-related services
• Proven track record of developing innovative programs that strengthen the quality of services provided to students with disabilities.
• Knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sections 504 and Amendments
• Understanding of physical, cognitive, and emotional/mental impairments
• Ability to comprehend and interpret psychological assessments, disability documentation, and diagnostic testing and determine appropriate reasonable accommodations.
• Awareness of best practices of adaptive technology
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Important Note- St. John’s is NOT an E-Verify Employer

St. John’s offers a competitive compensation program which is commensurate with your qualifications, experience, and contingent upon the departmental budget. St. John’s University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

We also offer an extremely comprehensive benefits program to meet the diverse needs of our workforce. Along with exceptional benefits such as medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability insurance, tuition remission, generous 403(b) employer contribution, employee assistance program, and liberal paid time off policies, faculty and staff can also enjoy St. John’s performing arts, libraries, bookstores, dining facilities, campus recreation and sporting events

Any offer of employment is subject to receipt by St. John’s University of satisfactory references, verification of employment and education.

St. John’s University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.