What are the responsibilities and job description for the Disability Specialist position at Frederick Community College?
Position Summary
Position Summary:
The Disability Specialist plays a critical role in advancing Frederick Community College’s mission of access, equity, and student success. This position provides holistic and legally compliant support to students with disabilities, ensuring equal access through the coordination and implementation of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Disability Specialist exercises professional judgment in accommodation determinations, maintains audit-ready documentation, and partners with faculty and staff to foster an inclusive learning environment.
The Disability Specialist will proactively engage and support students through ongoing monitoring, advocacy, orientation to campus resources, and guidance to students on campus and through dual enrollment. This position requires the ability to use varying styles and approaches that reflect an understanding and acceptance of the role of culture in a diverse, inclusive, and multicultural workplace. The work supports the enrollment, retention, and completion priorities of the college.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The following are the functions essential to performing this job:
Accommodation Management for Students:
1. Conduct comprehensive interviews with students who have requested accommodations, fully engaging in the interactive process.
2. Review psychological, medical, and educational test results to determine eligibility for accommodation and develop accommodation plans appropriate to specific disability and consistent with disability law and standard practice in higher education.
3. Collaborate with students, faculty, and relevant campus partners to ensure the effective implementation of accommodations in academic and non-academic settings.
3. Collaborate with students, faculty, and relevant campus partners to ensure the effective implementation of accommodations in academic and non-academic settings.
Case Management:
4. Provide outreach to students to offer disability related skills support, assess their adjustment to college, and determine their use of approved accommodations.
5. Provide information and advice regarding accessibility services and related resources, both on and off campus.
6. Refer students to appropriate success programs and academic support at FCC.
7. Monitor accommodation effectiveness and student progress, supporting timely adjustments as needed.
Professional Development:
8. Remain aware of current laws, regulations, and professional guidelines in both Maryland and nationally.
9. Engage in ongoing professional development related to disability services, equity, trauma-informed practices, and compliance regulations at the state and federal level.
10. Participate in relevant College training and contribute to the development of internal learning sessions or resource guides.
11. Participate in affinity group activities and professional learning opportunities.
9. Engage in ongoing professional development related to disability services, equity, trauma-informed practices, and compliance regulations at the state and federal level.
10. Participate in relevant College training and contribute to the development of internal learning sessions or resource guides.
11. Participate in affinity group activities and professional learning opportunities.
ADA Compliance and Administrative Tasks:
12. Maintain confidential and audit-ready student records in alignment with federal, state, and institutional policies.
13. Partner with the Director to ensure ADA and Section 504 compliance, including contributions to program audits, policy interpretation, and documentation reviews.
14. Collect and analyze data to identify service trends, inform planning, and support accreditation and equity-related reporting (e.g., MSCHE Standard IV).
15. Support various enrollment, retention, and completion initiatives of the College.
14. Collect and analyze data to identify service trends, inform planning, and support accreditation and equity-related reporting (e.g., MSCHE Standard IV).
15. Support various enrollment, retention, and completion initiatives of the College.
16. Other duties as assigned.
Required Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Human Services, or a related field.
- Three (3) years of experience working with and/or determining eligibility for appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
- Experience interpreting disability documentation, including psychological, medical, and educational assessment results.
- Experience managing and using databases to maintain records.
- Written and verbal communication skills, including ability to communicate sensitive information in a professional manner.
- Demonstrated critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and conflict resolutions skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Education, Special Education, Psychology, Human Services, or related field.
- Two (2) years of experience providing case management services to individuals with disabilities in a post-secondary environment.
- Knowledge of assistive and adaptive technology commonly used by students with disabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
- Experience using a disabilities database system, such as Accommodate or AIM.
- Experience supporting assistive technology for student use.
