Director of Disability Services/ADA Coordinator, Disability Services

Job Description:

The Director of Disability Services/ADA Coordinator oversees campus-wide compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and regulations that address non-discrimination based on disability. The position leads efforts to ensure accessibility and prevent disability-based discrimination across all aspects of university life, including academics, employment, facilities, and digital resources.

Work Location: Both, Doheny Campus (Downtown Los Angeles) and Chalon Campus (West Los Angeles). Hybrid work schedule available.

Start Date: Immediately

Applications Deadline: Open until filled

Annual Salary Rate Range: $93,000.00 - $100,000.00

Monthly Salary Rate Range: $7,750.00 - $8,333.34

Hiring salary can be above the posted pay range if candidate's qualifications are determined to be above the minimum requirements of the position description.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1.Compliance and Policies:

• In consultation with external legal counsel and campus stakeholders, develop appropriate policies, procedures, and grievance processes in the Disability Services department to ensure compliance with federal and state disability laws, including the ADA, Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Fair Housing Act, and California-specific regulations

• Participates in the development and modification of University policies to ensure continued ADA compliance and best practices

• Maintains current knowledge of relevant disability laws, court decisions, Office of Civil Rights (OCR) guidance, and best practices in higher education to inform campus operations

• Partners with the Office of Information Technology, Instructional Design, and other campus units to ensure that university websites, digital resources, and learning platforms meet accessibility standards such as WCAG 2.0 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines)

• Prepares descriptive and evaluative reports for university leadership on compliance efforts

• Serves as the primary point of contact for the campus community regarding ADA/Section 504 concerns

• Consults with Human Resources and the Office of the Provost about the process of implementing reasonable accommodations for staff and faculty with disabilities

• Collaborates with Facilities on a plan that outlines how the university will identify, prioritize, and remove physical barriers to accessibility

2. Leadership

• Provides leadership for the Disability Services department, which handles student disability accommodations, ensuring the services provided are effective, efficient, inclusive, and compliant with legal requirements

• Supervises employees and manage the budget for the Disability Services department

• Oversees the provision of exam proctoring services for students with disabilities

• Provides training and professional development for Disability Services staff to grow their expertise in the provision of disability accommodations in a higher education setting

• Creates a sense of community around disability rights - including outreach to faculty, staff, and students

3. Accommodations and Grievance Resolution:

• Oversees the interactive process for reviewing and implementing reasonable academic accommodations for students with disabilities

• Works collaboratively with faculty to resolve questions and concerns about applying accommodations in courses, consulting with external counsel as needed

• Coordinates with Student Affairs and Facilities Management on the provision of reasonable housing accommodations and equal access to physical spaces on campus for students with disabilities

• Receives, investigates, and responds to student complaints or grievances alleging disability discrimination or harassment, consulting with legal counsel as needed

4. Education and Training:

• Designs and delivers regular training programs for faculty, staff, and students on disability needs and best practices in higher education
• Works collaboratively with faculty committees within the faculty governance structure to develop transparent processes and procedures when needed
• Develops and disseminates informational materials in a variety of formats (video, flyers, emails) about disability rights and responsibilities to the campus community
• Ensures documentation of policies and procedures are visible and easily accessible to the campus community on the MSMU website, myMSMU, and myDSP portal

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serves as a backup testing coordinator as needed.
• Collects and reports relevant statistics.
• Some weekends and evenings may be required.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FERPA, Fair Housing Act, and California regulations related to accessibility
• Working knowledge of regulations related to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and WCAG 2.0. Familiarity with VPATs
• Familiarity with case law and Office of Civil Rights guidance related to disability services in higher education
• Familiarity with using assistive technologies (screen readers, captioning software, adaptive technologies)
• Knowledge of best practices for universal design and inclusive pedagogy
• Familiarity with physical accessibility requirements

Abilities and Skills

• Ability to interpret psychological and/or educational testing and apply standards for providing accommodations
• Ability to formulate relevant policies, including grievance and appeals, and ensure appropriate documentation
• Ability to explain complex legal standards in plain language to faculty, staff, and students

Education

• Required: Bachelor's degree
• Preferred: Juris Doctorate, or graduate degree in an area related to disability studies

Experience

• At least three years of experience directing disability services in a higher education setting, five years preferred
• Experience engaging with students in the interactive process for determining accommodations
• Experience with conflict resolution and mediation between students, faculty, and administration
• Experience supervising employees and leading teams of cross-functional employees
• Experience with Title IX investigations (preferred)
• Experience navigating the complexities of disability laws and regulations as they relate to higher education
• Experience with digital accessibility compliance
• Experience selecting and using assistive technologies

Application Instructions:

Please submit a resume and cover letter.

Applicants must be able to provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States. The University will not assist applicants with any visa matters.

A background check will be required.

Employees may disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status with MSMU's Human Resources on a voluntary basis. Some MSMU clinical healthcare partners may require proof of COVID-19 vaccination to work at their facilities. If required, your academic division will inform you.