Associate Director Disability Services Office
8054BR
Student Affairs
Disability Services
Detailed Job Description
Lead Data Management and Assessment Initiatives

• Lead the ongoing technical configuration and development of DSO's data management system
• Communicate with the Accessible Information Management, Inc. vendor regularly to maintain active working knowledge of new developments and updates to the parent software
• Refine DSO's use of the data management system to ensure procedural efficiency, robust and clear data reporting, and effective, current utilization of the data management system
• Assume primary leadership for all departmental assessment planning. Complete all analysis and reporting on assessment initiatives.
• Maintain and update DSO's annual assessment plan, with a focus on long term collection of data related to students with disabilities at RIT, their particular needs, their retention and graduation, and their experiences both academically and more generally at RIT
• Work in collaboration with Assessment, Technology and Communication staff to create, deliver, and report out on surveys and other assessment tools used by the department.
• Measure and track learning outcomes for students working with DSO
• Advocate for the inclusion of disability-related questions in university-wide and non-DSO-specific data collection efforts
• Develop a robust assessment plan and lead a redesign of data management systems and communication processes to facilitate a new partnership between DSO and NTID in support of Deaf/Hard of Hearing students.

Education, Advocacy, and Outreach:

• Direct faculty support related to specific students with DSO-approved accommodations in their courses
• Develop educational programming in partnership with the Director focused on both DSO-specific supports and general accessibility information for faculty, staff, and student audiences
• Develop de novo learning outcomes for students working with DSO that focus on development of self-advocacy, empowered disability identity, and knowledge of disability and accessibility rights and resources in college and beyond

Supervise and train three members of the DSO team. Direct supervisees include the Access Coordinator with data management specialization, Test Center Coordinator, and Senior Staff Assistant. Assist with Test Center administration and student employee training and supervision as needed.
Access coordination and ongoing accessibility support for a caseload of students

• Review accommodation applications and associated disability documentation for from current students. Meet with each assigned applicant to determine appropriate accommodations and other campus supports via an interactive, student-centered process.
• Interact with current and prospective students and families to educate them about available DSO supports and the accommodation application process; continued engagement with many families once students are actively working with DSO for access support
• Ensure the security and proper handling of confidential student information and files
• Facilitate student and faculty conversations regarding effective accommodation use
• Ongoing mentorship of students with DSO-provided accommodations, including education on how to best request and use approved accommodations, how to advocate for needs, and how to navigate college and beyond with a disability
• Collaborate and coordinate with campus partners regarding adjustments and additional resources and services
• Strategic Leadership:
• Collaborate with the Director to identify, develop, and deliver initiatives that support the mission and vision of the department.
• Lead the department in expanding the use of software and emerging technologies to enhance DSO business practice.
• Create and develop the infrastructure for an innovative new partnership between DSO and NTID's Department of Access Services targeting the unique needs of our DHH students. This initiative will synergize accessibility-related service provision for our Deaf/HoH and disabled students at RIT.

Subject Matter Specialization:

• Maintain a robust and cutting-edge knowledge of best practices for accommodation coordination, new access technologies, test center management, and socially just approaches to creating access on college campuses, in support of strategic and educational initiatives as well as high quality student support.
• Develop an individual focus area within disability and higher education and ensure the team is up-to-date on best practices in that area (e.g. assistive technology, alternate format materials, physical campus navigation, assistance/service animals on campus, access in specific STEM and/or arts settings, executive function coaching, needs of international students with disabilities, disability justice and intersectionality)
• Attend professional development opportunities to enhance DSO programs and services and remain current on legal developments, including but not limited to new developments regarding the intersection of accessibility, accommodations, and COVID-19 and the long-term impacts of the pandemic.

Other Duties as Assigned
Department/College Description
Minimum Qualifications
Education/Experience:

• Master's degree
• A minimum of 5-7 years experience in education and/or special education or other related field such as counseling or social work.
• Education in disability studies, social work, special/inclusive education, counseling, higher education student affairs, or a related field
• Strong commitment to social justice, diversity (including disability), and empowering underrepresented populations
• Experience working with students with disabilities at the high school or post secondary level.

Skills:

• Knowledge of federal and New York State laws relevant to K-12 and postsecondary students with disabilties, as well as best practices for disability services professionals
• Ability to
  • critically review requests for accommodations due to disability
  • effectively work with postsecondary students with a variety of disabilties, employing a socially-just and student-centered approach
  • organize, plan, and manage multiple projects simulaneoulsy
  • develop and give presentations to groups of students, families, faculty, and staff
  • develop and conduct program assessments
  • use data and information to inform decision-making and the establishment and implementation of strategic goals
  • listen, analyze, and problem solve; as both a team leader and team member
• In addition to approving direct student accommodations, ability to recommend appropriate resources to students with disabilities, including assistive technology, as appropriate
• Ability to produce and/or obtain texts in alternate formats
• Ability to manage, supervise and coach both professional and student staff
• Effective interpersonal, written, and electronic communications skills, including the ability to convey complex information in accessible terms to diverse or multicultural audiences
• Ability to manage and maintain confidential and private information; uses confidential, sensitive and/or private records and information, protects information appropriately
• Ability to establish, build and maintain effective working relationships with students, families, faculty, and staff based on respect, empathy and honesty with diverse groups and individuals
• Knowledge of Deaf culture, American Sign Language (ASL), or willingness to learn
• Computer competence using word processing, spreadsheet, email, and electronic calendaring software
• Computer competence using software and enterprise systems appropriate for the complexities of the role and its functions
• Willingness and ability to assume the responsibilities of the Director as needed
• Willingness to participate in ongoing professional development and stay on the cutting edge of best practice in the field of disability and higher education
• Willingness to represent the department via participation on division and university committees, task forces, and projects as assigned and appropriate for the role
• Must maintain active membership in the national organization, Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) as well as the New York State Disability Services Council (NYSDSC)

Professional Area:
Employment Category: Fulltime
Staff Job Function: Wage Band: 118A
How to Apply
In order to be considered for this position, you must apply for it at: http://careers.rit.edu/staff. Click the link for search openings and in the keyword search field, enter the title of the position or the BR number.
The direct link to this posting can be found here: https://sjobs.brassring.com/
Additional Details
Rochester Institute of Technology, the 10th largest private university in the U.S., is among the worlds leading technological universities. Its 18,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are enrolled in over 200 academic programs, including 7 interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs. A pioneer in experiential education, RIT was the first to offer undergraduate degree programs in biotechnology, information technology, software engineering, and microelectronic engineering. As home to the National Technical Institute for the Deaf, the university offers unparalleled academic opportunities and services for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. Founded in 1829, RIT has 115,000 alumni throughout the United States and around the world. RIT has been named by the Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the "Great Colleges to Work For." RIT is a National Science Foundation ADVANCE Institutional Transformation site, and is responsive to the needs of dual-career couples through the Upstate NY Higher Education Recruitment Consortium. For more information, visit www.rit.edu/overview/rankings-and-recognition and www.rit.edu.
As a member of the RIT community employees receive a well-balanced benefits package that offers a variety of choices and access to additional employment advantages. These benefits, combined with an employees pay, provide a total compensation package that can be tailored to meet your needs. More on RITs Benefits, Health & Wellness program can be found at: https://www.rit.edu/fa/humanresources/content/benefits-health-and-wellness
RIT does not discriminate. RIT is an equal opportunity employer that promotes and values diversity, pluralism, and inclusion. For more information or inquiries, please visit RIT/TitleIX or the U.S. Department of Education at ED.Gov
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