DIRECTOR OF DISABILITY RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
Req #: | 176374 |
Department: | DISABILITY RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS |
Appointing Department Web Address: | http://depts.washington.edu/uwdrs/ |
Job Location: | Seattle Campus |
Posting Date: | 02/04/2020 |
Closing Info: | Open Until Filled |
Salary: | Salary is commensurate with education and experience. |
Shift: | First Shift |
Notes: | Although open until filled, priority application date is February 28, 2020. |
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for six consecutive years.
Disability Resources for Students (DRS) is dedicated to ensuring access and inclusion for all students with disabilities on the Seattle campus enrolled in undergraduate, graduate, professional, Evening Degree, and Access programs. DRS serves 2,900+ students with either temporary or permanent physical, health, learning, sensory, or psychological disabilities. We partner with students and faculty jointly in the process to establish accommodations, services, and access to academic programs.
Disability Resources for Students has an outstanding opportunity for a Director of Disability Resources for Students to provide leadership in developing and implementing inclusively designed educational activities and ensuring compliance with state and federal laws, as well as university mandates, regarding access for students with disabilities. The Director supervises a team of skilled professionals who provide direct service to students, provide consultation and education for faculty, staff, student groups, prospective students, and parents regarding disability issues, and collaborate with other leaders on campus to understand disability and promote inclusive environments.
The Director works collaboratively to develop and implement best practices in determination and provision of reasonable accommodations and in the development of strategies that facilitate student access, simplify processes, and are informed by disability studies. The position requires a high level of independent decision-making and professional judgment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Administration and Leadership
•Leads, supports, directs, and supervises the daily work of a team of staff engaged in individual consultation with students to assess strategies for full inclusion, including the determination and provision of reasonable accommodations.
•Leads, supports, directs, and supervises the daily work of staff involved in the coordination of test administration.
•Confers with and advises staff, students, and others in complicated or difficult situations, providing technical advice, problem-solving assistance, program goals clarification, and procedural guidance.
•Provides technical and instructional assistance and support for faculty, staff, administration and students working with students with disabilities.
•Collaborates with students to identify barriers to participation and options to achieve access; provides consultation, information, referral and support.
•Fosters the development of a team approach in the provision of direct student services.
•Ensures the consistent creation and handling of confidential student paper and electronic files.
•Oversees implementation of strategic planning, evaluation tools, and metrics to measure DRS's effectiveness and monitors progress towards articulated goals.
•Prepares periodic reports on program activities and achievements.
•Explores, discusses, and recommends professional development activities for staff.
•Manages the departmental budget. Develops budget proposals that reflect anticipated demand for services as well as demonstrate good fiscal stewardship. Exercises excellent budget strategy in the context of a public institution and federal responsibilities.
•Promotes and facilitates disability awareness, access and inclusion through training, advocacy and accommodations.
•Serves as a vital member of the Student Life leadership team.
Consultation and Outreach
•Provides and coordinates DRS consultation, outreach, and liaison activities with Student Life departments involved in supporting student academic success, with specific emphasis on infusing a social construction of disability and creating usable, equitable, inclusive, and sustainable campus environments.
•Actively outreaches to staff and administrators of University offices to encourage program activities and processes that foster involvement of students with disabilities and minimize the need for individual accommodations.
•Develops effective campus partnerships that further the mission and vision of the DRS.
•As a subject matter expert, educates those throughout the University on issues pertaining to universal design, disability issues and reasonable accommodations.
•Raises awareness of issues affecting persons with disabilities and promotes self-determination and community for persons with disabilities.
•Serves on University committees.
•Provides information, referral, and support to students with disabilities, faculty, staff, prospective students, and the general public.
Professional Activity
•Works actively to develop and maintain excellent communication and working relationships with faculty and staff to ensure effective service delivery and promote principles of Universal Design of Instruction.
•Maintains membership with relevant state and national professional organizations.
•Participates in professional development activities through presentations, publications, attendance at conferences and/or related activities.
•Stays abreast of national, state, and local disability-related issues.
As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For detailed information on Benefits for this position, click here.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Master’s degree in a field related to teaching/education, disability studies, student development, or human services.
• Four or more years working directly with people with disabilities in a higher education setting.
• Knowledge of models of disability and inclusive educational design and their applications in higher education.
• Strong communications skills, including public speaking and written communication.
• Extensive knowledge and understanding of the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and other pertinent federal and state laws that provide for an accessible higher education experience for disabled students.
• Working knowledge of accessible technologies.
• Successful management and supervision of a team of professional staff members.
• Experience managing an office responsible for providing disability services.
• Excellent administration, management, and leadership skills, including policy development, strategic planning, and budget management.
• Demonstrated experience in working on equity, diversity, and social justice initiatives.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues with differing interests across a decentralized setting.
• Ability to encourage creativity and innovation to create solutions for large scale, institutional dilemmas.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except where there are legal requirements such as license/certification/registration.
Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Workforce Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.
Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.