Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor (4560U), Disabled Students Program #86782

University of California, Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 82,800 - 112,900; Full time

Job summary

The University of California, Berkeley is seeking a Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor for the Disabled Students Program. This role involves supervising a team of Disability Specialists to ensure students with disabilities have equitable access to education and campus resources.

The successful candidate will have a Master's degree and 3-5 years of supervisory experience in a service-oriented environment. Responsibilities include mentoring staff and developing training programs to enhance service quality.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of supervisory experience in a compliance-driven environment.
• Experience managing conflict and leading team change management.
• Ability to interface with faculty around accessibility issues.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of Disability Specialists.
• Address complaints and accommodation challenges for students.
• Oversee operational needs aligned with university policies.

Skills

Supervision of staff

Conflict management

Interpersonal communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Education

Master's degree in relevant field

Job description

Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor (4560U), Disabled Students Program 86782

The Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor focuses on supervising professional career staff, staff development, and the planning, coordination, and implementation of services and processes that ensure students with disabilities have equitable access to the academic and campus environment in compliance with federal and state disability law.

Responsibilities

Supervision, Leadership, and Unit Oversight

• Provide direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development to a team of Disability Specialists.
• Oversee workload distribution, performance evaluations, and support staff in meeting expectations related to case management, service quality, timeliness, and professional conduct.
• Work with managers in recruitment and hiring efforts for the DSP Disability Specialist unit.
• Lead internal training and onboarding for new and continuing Disability Specialists to ensure consistency in practices, procedures, legal compliance, and evolving campus standards.
• Identify training needs and collaborate with the DSP Senior Policy Analyst to design or coordinate learning opportunities to support team growth and service quality.
• Respond to and resolve student and faculty complaints, escalating complex matters to DSP leadership as needed.
• Collaborate with DSP managers and auxiliary services (Alternative Media, Communications Access, Note Taking, and Proctoring) to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Partner with academic departments and faculty to address accommodation challenges and continuously work towards a consistent campus-wide approach to disability compliance and support.
• Work closely with the DSP Business Admin team and demonstrate understanding of campus processes and guidelines related to HR, recruitment, purchasing, facilities, and other operational needs that align with university policy and smooth day-to-day operations.
• Lead case review meetings, contribute to policy development, and help shape strategic planning efforts for the specialist unit.

Strategic Partnerships and Campus Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison with academic departments, deans' offices, and student affairs.
• Respond promptly to sensitive or high-level faculty complaints regarding accommodations.
• Represent DSP in campus initiatives, particularly those involving academic access, student experience, or instructional access.
• Collaborate with the DSP Senior Policy Analyst to deliver or coordinate campus-wide training efforts that promote awareness of disability, accessibility, and inclusive teaching practices in higher education.

Systems Leadership and Process Improvement

• Oversee the integration and functionality of case management systems (e.g., AIM) for the specialist unit.
• Provide leadership on system-related needs in partnership with the Auxiliary Services units, helping shape improvements and enhance staff efficiency and student support.

Caseload Management / Other Duties as Assigned

• Maintain a small caseload of students with complex or high-stakes accommodation needs.
• Provide consultation on escalated student cases brought forward by Disability Specialists, Auxiliary Services supervisors, or DSP management.
• Ensure the consistent application of accommodation policies across the team.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years of direct experience supervising career or professional staff in a service-oriented, compliance-driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict, address performance concerns, and lead team change management efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to interface with faculty and campus leadership around sensitive, high-stakes accessibility issues and concerns.
• Demonstrated success in working closely with departmental managers, unit supervisors, and administrative leads to support coordinated service delivery, resolve operational issues, and implement programmatic improvements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels.
• Experience in mediating, managing, and resolving conflicts and employing open and clear decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated proficiency and political acumen in working with a broad range of students, faculty, staff, senior administrators, and community leaders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem identification, sound judgment, transparent decision making, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage competing time and resource demands.

Education / Training

• Master's degree or higher in education, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field with a strong focus on disability, student affairs, or higher education and/or equivalent experience/training.
• A combination of advanced education and relevant experience in disability services within postsecondary settings may also be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience working directly with students with disabilities as an accommodations specialist in a university setting.
• Advanced knowledge and content experience in disability documentation, academic accommodations and adjustments, auxiliary services, and student service delivery.
• Thorough knowledge of the legal framework involving accommodations for students with disabilities through state and federal laws and regulations, and the determination of accommodations, within the current legal framework.

Salary & Benefits

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $82,800.00 – $112,900.00.

• This is an exempt, monthly-paid position.
• This is a full-time (40 hours/week) career position eligible for UC benefits.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.