Director of Accessibility - Newtown

It's great to work at a place where people are truly committed to serving our students We're committed to bringing passion and energy to our College. · Visit our Life Page on LinkedIn to explore our dynamic campus culture, hear from current employees, and discover what makes Buc ...

Job description

It's great to work at a place where people are truly committed to serving our students We're committed to bringing passion and energy to our College.

Visit our Life Page on LinkedIn to explore our dynamic campus culture, hear from current employees, and discover what makes Bucks County Community College a great place to work

The Director of Accessibility and Counseling Services is the College's expert in accessibility and the supervisor of professionals in both the accessibility and counseling offices. As the College's expert in accessibility, you will provide direct services for students with disabilities to support psychoeducation/wellness education in support of their personal and academic growth. In this vital role, you will be an integral member of the Student Services team, working collaboratively with departments across campus. You'll ensure that physical spaces are accessible for students across all campuses in conjunction with Physical Plant, the oversight and implementation of Assistive Technology (AT), the purchase of accessible software, supporting the IT Department, Marketing, and other college constituents to ensure that Section 508 compliance is met. On the counseling side, you'll supervise the College's professional counselors, ensuring they have the resources they need to assist students and to connect students to community-based resources. Along with the provision of direct services, you will initiate and oversee actions to ensure the college does not discriminate against students and the public with disabilities and who are otherwise qualified to participate in college programming and activities. This position requires ongoing research, professional development, and training to be up to date on all legislation, court decisions, government rulings, and the application thereof to ensure civil rights compliance of the college for and concerning individuals with disabilities. You'll also provide provide accessibility support, guidance, and training for all members of the professional campus community and support community and educational partners with training, as requested.

Major Job Duties

• Determine the eligibility of students for reasonable accommodation by evaluating relevant medical, psychological, and other documentation, as well as performing student intake interviews. Oversee other staff who are responsible for determining eligibility.
• Suggest reasonable accommodation that includes adaptive technology when needed and means for securing such for students. Supports the College's CARE Team.
• Oversee the preparation, documentation, and timely dissemination of official "Faculty Accommodation Memos" for eligible students to provide to instructors when requested by the student.
• Provide direct support to students as needed and represent the college at functions and with community agency partners as needed. Work closely with Student Services and Academic Support departments regarding service response and coordination for students with mental health disabilities.
• Work with the Instructional Research team to document enrollment of students with disabilities for each semester. Collect data relating to student caseload to show potential needs for future semesters.
• Advocate for students, both for individuals and for the population, in order to educate our community of learners' differing needs, as well as to expedite delivery of needed services.
• Supervise Counseling and Accessibility Office staff. This includes Accessibility Office administrative staff and faculty counseling staff. Develop a guiding vision and focus on both services to align with student needs and by the assessment evaluation, and coordination of college counseling and accessibility services and activities. Ensure that staff have updated skills and resources, perform in accordance with the counseling discipline's standard of conduct and ethics, and effectively serve the accommodation requests, counseling support, and referral needs of students.
• Oversee an array of services including scheduled and walk-in mental, behavioral health, and accommodations needs, Zoom counseling, crisis intervention, peer education, faculty and staff consultations, and campus outreach programs. Also, develop service policies and procedures for student and staff use related to accessibility and counseling issues and needs.
• Monitor program services, unit budget, and student service usage in order to assess effectiveness and financial impact.
• Review, monitor, and implement federal laws and regulations, related court decisions, and US Department of Education Office for Civil Rights rules to ensure compliance with civil rights laws.
  
  Consult with state and local resources, such as Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Bureau of Visual Services, PA Transition Team, regarding disability mandates and resources.
  
  Develop and update web content for the accessibility office web page as needed and in accordance with the applicable policies, procedures, and best practices that are set out by the Office for Civil Rights. Review all accessibility complaints and work with faculty/academic administration to solve issues as they arise.
• Review all the data and keep up to date records for students registered with the Accessibility Office.
• Research and review all potential assistive technology that could be used to support students with access to courses and programming at the college.

Secondary Functions

• Administer tests that must be given in alternative formats, such as orally, scribing, in Braille, etc.
• Attend or otherwise participate in professional development activities and represent the college and/or present subject matter expertise at relevant events.
• Create marketing and information materials for students, staff, faculty, and community members.
• Work closely with all Student Services Departments, Enrollment Management, the Academic Success Center, and other student-facing areas on campus.
• Attend advising meetings for student support, as needed.
• Connect with community partners, such as the IU and stakeholders to support transition events and information.
• Present at community and college events, like transition fairs, as requested by the College or community partners.
• Develop and administer programming for students to support wellbeing and accessibility. Develop and administer programming for the community at large to build awareness of accessibility.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Master's degree in special education, Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Higher Education, or related field
• At least 5 years of experience working with people with disabilities in a higher education setting.
• Evidence of having worked with matters regarding Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA, showing an understanding of the relationship of these laws to higher education
• Experience with addressing and/or removal of physical barriers in various settings.
• Supervision experience, including supervising and leading a team.
• Experience addressing student mental health and wellness needs.
• A proven understanding of the transition process from high school to college, along with the knowledge of the differences between the laws of K-12 and higher education
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with students and project advocacy within an organization
• Supervisory and management experience over budgets, personnel, and/or a department or unit
• Experience working with adaptive technology for accommodative purposes.
• Data management experience
• Professional training and presentation experience

Salary Range $65,618 - $70,000 (Commensurate with background and experience)

Application

Apply online at:

Applications must consist of a letter of application addressing this specific position and the candidate's interest and qualifications for coming to Bucks County Community College, resume/CV, and a list of five professional references. References will not be contacted without prior permission. Finalists may be asked to provide additional materials.

Deadline

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Benefits

Bucks County Community College offers an exceptional benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, 403B pension plan, life insurance, short & long-term disability, generous paid time off, tuition waivers, tuition assistance, wellness center, cafeteria, and free parking on a beautiful Bucks County campus.

We are proud to be an organization that embraces the value of bringing diverse, talented, and committed people together. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when diverse ideas come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another's thinking and approach problems collectively. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace.

Please Note: At this time, the College does not provide work visa sponsorships. To be considered for employment at Bucks County Community College, applicants must be permitted to legally work in the United States without employer sponsorship. Bucks County Community College participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.