Student Disability Services Specialist

University of California; California (MO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California is hiring a Student Disabilities Services Specialist responsible for developing and coordinating policies to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other regulations. The role involves conducting intake interviews, evaluating accommodation requests, consulting with medical providers, and providing training for faculty and staff. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree and at least three years of relevant experience. The position demands strong analytical skills and experience with student disability law.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of experience in student disability services or a related field.
• Experience developing and implementing policies related to disabilities.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate Student Disability Services policies and practices.
• Evaluate and determine reasonable accommodations for students.
• Consult and advise faculty and staff on accommodation services.

Skills

Knowledge and experience with student disability law

Strong analytical skills

Customer service skills

Dispute management skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

About Saint Mary’s College

Founded in 1863, Saint Mary’s College of California is a residential institution in the Moraga Valley, 20 miles east of San Francisco, rooted in the Catholic, Lasallian, and Liberal Arts traditions. Enrolling more than 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students, the College integrates liberal and professional education within a mission shaped by the De La Salle Christian Brothers. Known for academic excellence, innovation, and responsiveness, Saint Mary’s fosters shared inquiry, meaningful student engagement, and a strong commitment to diversity, leadership, and service.

Why Join Saint Mary’s College?

At Saint Mary’s, your work has visible impact. As a close‑knit residential college, employees work collaboratively across departments—your ideas, leadership, and contributions directly shape the student experience and the future direction of the institution. Colleagues partner across divisions, decisions are grounded in mission, and innovation is encouraged. If you are seeking a workplace where purpose, community, and professional growth intersect—and where your work truly matters—Saint Mary’s offers that opportunity.

Job Title

Student Disabilities Services Specialist

Job Summary

Reporting to the Director of Student Disability Services, this position is responsible for developing, implementing, evaluating, direct and coordinating complex Student Disability Services (SDS) policies and practices which maintain the college’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Sensitive, highly confidential student medical and psychological information is assessed in order to determine and provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations to ensure that students with disabilities have access to participate in and enjoy SMC’s educational programs and campus life.

Arrange Accommodations for Students

• Meets with student to conduct intake interviews to determine eligibility to receive ADA accommodations.
• Reviews medical documentation to verify student eligibility for accommodation.
• Consults, when appropriate and necessary, with medical and psychiatric providers to gain clarity regarding student’s conditions.
• Evaluates accommodation requests and determines approved accommodations in line with ADA laws and current best practices.
• Determines and extends disability accommodations campus wide, including in classrooms, residence halls, physical space on campus, enrollment and financial aid.
• Notifies appropriate faculty and staff of individual student’s accommodations to ensure that appropriate and reasonable services are provided.
• Coordinates provision of adaptive equipment, assistive technology and other supportive materials for eligible students with disabilities.
• Oversees accommodation coordination and delivery, taking a lead role in coordinating the testing and note‑taking accommodations.
• Conducts documentation follow‑up and re‑evaluation for students requesting ongoing accommodations.

Consultation and Education

• Consults, advises, coaches, and implements accommodation services campus wide with faculty and staff.
• Offers mediation and support surrounding concerns or conflicts between SDS students/faculty/staff.
• Recommends facility modifications to address campus barriers.
• Develops, prepares and delivers in‑service education for faculty, staff and students related to SDS, student/faculty issues, best practices and SMC legal obligations.
• Represents SDS department at Admissions, Orientation and other events to meet with prospective and current students to provide information about the SDS office.

SDS Office Administrative Management

• Uses ADA database to keep all notes and updated records of all student interactions, including appointments, phone calls, documentation received, interaction with faculty/staff.
• Purchases and maintains SDS equipment and software as well as tracks and orders supplies for the department.
• Troubleshoots when problems arise – student schedule changes, instructor changes, difficulty reaching instructor.

Professional Development

• Attends training and professional development opportunities to stay current on federal and state laws regarding students with disabilities.
• Seeks out opportunities to determine best practices for student disabilities in higher education and looks to implement at SMC.

Other Duties as Assigned

Education: Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum three (3) years of experience.

Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge and experience working with and applying student disability law in higher education preferred.
• Strong analytical, customer service and dispute management skills required.
• Occasional evening and weekend work as needed.

Licenses & Certifications: N/A