What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Director Student Accessibility Services, UMKC Student Affairs position at University of Missouri-Kansas City?
Hiring Department
Student Accessibility Services (SAS), within the Division of Student Affairs, advances the University's commitment to equal access, student success, and inclusive excellence by ensuring students with disabilities have equitable opportunities to participate fully in academic, co-curricular, and campus life. Through collaboration, consultation, advocacy, education, and individualized support, SAS removes barriers, promotes accessibility, and partners with the campus community to create an inclusive educational environment.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Assistant Director serves as the chief administrative officer and strategic leader for Student Accessibility Services and is responsible for the vision, leadership, administration, and continuous improvement of the office. Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Assistant Director provides leadership for all operational, fiscal, personnel, compliance, and strategic initiatives within Student Accessibility Services. This position establishes departmental priorities, supervises professional and support staff, oversees the delivery of disability accommodations, manages complex student cases, and serves as the University's primary subject matter expert on disability access, accessibility, and inclusive educational practices.
The Assistant Director collaborates with academic and administrative leaders to remove institutional barriers, strengthen accessibility across the University, ensure compliance with federal disability laws, and advance initiatives that improve student persistence, belonging, and success.
Primary Leadership Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary
Preferred Qualifications
The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as up to $70,000 annually.
Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Grade: GGS10
University Title: Program Manager II Student Support Services
To review the University of Missouri’s Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.
Application Materials
Application materials must include a cover letter and updated resume / CV.
Application Deadline
For best consideration, submit application materials by August 16, 2026. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Community Information
Kansas City offers the best of both worlds—a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city’s rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City’s biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.
UMKC’s campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children’s Mercy Hospital.
UMKC is proud to be “Kansas City’s university,” and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.
Student Accessibility Services (SAS), within the Division of Student Affairs, advances the University's commitment to equal access, student success, and inclusive excellence by ensuring students with disabilities have equitable opportunities to participate fully in academic, co-curricular, and campus life. Through collaboration, consultation, advocacy, education, and individualized support, SAS removes barriers, promotes accessibility, and partners with the campus community to create an inclusive educational environment.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Assistant Director serves as the chief administrative officer and strategic leader for Student Accessibility Services and is responsible for the vision, leadership, administration, and continuous improvement of the office. Reporting to the Dean of Students, the Assistant Director provides leadership for all operational, fiscal, personnel, compliance, and strategic initiatives within Student Accessibility Services. This position establishes departmental priorities, supervises professional and support staff, oversees the delivery of disability accommodations, manages complex student cases, and serves as the University's primary subject matter expert on disability access, accessibility, and inclusive educational practices.
The Assistant Director collaborates with academic and administrative leaders to remove institutional barriers, strengthen accessibility across the University, ensure compliance with federal disability laws, and advance initiatives that improve student persistence, belonging, and success.
Primary Leadership Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement the vision, strategic priorities, and annual goals for Student Accessibility Services.
- Lead assessment, continuous improvement, and innovation efforts aligned with Division and University strategic plans.
- Represent the office with senior university leadership, external agencies, and professional organizations.
- Develop partnerships with academic deans, department chairs, faculty leaders, and Student Affairs departments to advance accessibility across campus.
- Direct all daily operations of Student Accessibility Services.
- Supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional and support staff.
- Develop policies, procedures, and service standards.
- Manage the departmental budget, technology, contracts, and resource allocation.
- Prepare annual reports, assessment plans, strategic initiatives, and institutional updates.
- Oversee all accommodation processes and ensure timely, equitable service delivery.
- Maintain a caseload of complex student cases and professional-program students.
- Review disability documentation and determine reasonable accommodations through the interactive process.
- Provide final review of complex accommodation decisions and appeals.
- Oversee accommodated testing operations and other accommodation services.
- Serve as the University's primary consultant regarding disability access and ADA compliance.
- Advise faculty and administrators regarding accommodations and accessibility.
- Partner with Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Information Services, Facilities, Human Resources, General Counsel, and other offices to improve accessibility.
- Provide consultation during complex student situations in collaboration with the Dean of Students, CARE Team, and other campus partners.
- Lead campus-wide education on disability inclusion, Universal Design for Learning, digital accessibility, and accessible communication.
- Promote accessibility as a shared institutional responsibility.
- Support accessibility initiatives affecting physical spaces, technology, instructional design, and university programs.
- Ensure compliance with ADA, ADAAA, Section 504, FERPA, and applicable regulations.
- Monitor legal developments and emerging best practices.
- Lead responses to disability-related complaints, grievances, OCR inquiries, and institutional risk issues.
- Use assessment data to improve student outcomes and operational effectiveness.
- Identify service trends and emerging student needs.
- Implement innovative practices and technologies that improve efficiency and accessibility.
- Develop partnerships with community agencies and disability organizations.
- Seek external funding, grants, and collaborative opportunities when appropriate.
- Represent UMKC in regional and national accessibility organizations.
A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Higher Education, Student Affairs, Rehabilitation Counseling, Counseling, Disability Studies, Psychology, Social Work, Special Education, or a related field.
- Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education disability services.
- Demonstrated experience supervising staff, managing budgets, leading organizational change, and developing policy.
- Expert knowledge of ADA, ADAAA, Section 504, FERPA, Universal Design for Learning, digital accessibility, and higher education accessibility best practices.
- Exceptional communication, consultation, collaboration, and conflict resolution skills.
- Commitment to student success, inclusive excellence, and continuous improvement
The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as up to $70,000 annually.
Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Grade: GGS10
University Title: Program Manager II Student Support Services
To review the University of Missouri’s Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.
Application Materials
Application materials must include a cover letter and updated resume / CV.
Application Deadline
For best consideration, submit application materials by August 16, 2026. Applications will be accepted until this position is filled.
Sponsorship Information
Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Community Information
Kansas City offers the best of both worlds—a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city’s rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City’s biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.
UMKC’s campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children’s Mercy Hospital.
UMKC is proud to be “Kansas City’s university,” and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.
Benefit Eligibility
This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.