Location: Various Locations, NY Category: Professional Posted On: Thu Aug 29 2024 Job Description:

Empire State University, Office of Accessibility Resources and Services, currently seeks a full-time Disability Specialist (State Title: Senior Staff Assistant). Reporting to the Director of Accessibility Resources and Services, the Disability Specialist is responsible for providing direct service to students, faculty, and staff at the university in matters related to student disability services and accommodations. In order to facilitate the best possible educational experience so that students can achieve their goals, the Disability Specialist supports student learning by collaborating with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services team, faculty, student support staff, and other key stakeholders to advocate and advance student success and retention, particularly as they relate to students with disabilities.

The Disability Specialist will be a key contributor to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives relevant to students with disabilities. They will assist with the review and implementation of student requests for accommodations as well as connecting students with appropriate resources and services both at SUNY Empire and in their communities. The selected incumbent must be knowledgeable about student accommodations at the college level and should have familiarity with working with adult and nontraditional students in both face-to-face and online learning environments, with the ability to support individuals of diverse cultural, social, and religious backgrounds, and varied age, gender, and sexual orientation. The selected incumbent will collaborate with the Student Success Coordinators, the Center for Autism Advocacy: Research Education and Supports, the Student Success division, faculty, academic administrators, and key functional offices to provide high quality services to students with disabilities across all of SUNY Empire. The selected incumbent must be knowledgeable about the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, assistive technology, and universal design for learning principles.

Responsibilities associated with this position include:

• Advise prospective and current students with disabilities regarding their requests for accommodations as well as university and community resources available.

• Review student requests for accommodations, determine reasonable accommodations, and appropriately document the interactive process.

• Collaborate with faculty and student support staff to implement reasonable accommodations as well as provide holistic student support.

• Provide outreach to students throughout the academic year, as needed.

• Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and other departments to advocate for students based on individual and time-sensitive needs.

• Utilize university technology systems to find relevant information, document work, and ensure consistent communication and processes. Maintain complete records of all student situations in relevant databases.

• Collaborate with colleagues regarding professional development opportunities for the university community.

• Contribute to the ongoing development of resources and activities of the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services and appropriate participation in university meetings and events as appropriate.

• Stay abreast of university policies, programs, procedures, resources, and services that pertain to students with disabilities.

• Maintain confidentiality and respectful communication when dealing with students and colleagues around sensitive issues.

• Demonstrate a commitment to excellence, innovation, integrity, diversity, and student success.

  Job Requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or comparable non-U.S. college or university.

• A minimum of three years' experience working with individuals with disabilities.

• Strong interpersonal and excellent customer service skills, and the ability to work effectively with students, the public, the university community, and external constituencies.

• Evidence of ability to communicate, engage, and develop rapport with individuals of diverse cultural, social, and religious backgrounds, and varied age, gender, and sexual orientation.

• Ability to analyze, mediate, and resolve complex problems.

• Initiative, creativity, and the ability to function well in an environment that promotes both teamwork and independence.

• Ability to set priorities, meet deadlines, and handle multiple tasks.

• Ability to collaborate with faculty, staff, and administration from multiple departments.

• Demonstration of professionalism, integrity, and confidentiality.

• Ability to empathize with students in need of academic and non-academic support.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Student Affairs, Higher Education Administration, Special/Exceptional Education, Counseling or related area.

• Experience with assistive technology including dictation, text-to-speech, screen reader, and magnification tools.

• Experience working collaboratively as part of a multi-person team to provide student services and support resources to students.

• Experience with Ellucian's Banner, CRM systems, or other data management and communication technology.

• Experience with adult or non-traditional students.

• Bilingual and biliterate in Spanish and English.

Special Information:

• May involve occasional travel to university locations across New York State.

• May require occasional evening and/or weekend work.

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

• SUNY Empire provides employees with robust remote and flexible work options to meet the needs of students, faculty, and staff in a dispersed work environment. University locations that may be considered include Saratoga Springs, Rochester and Selden, NY.

  Additional Information:

Rank/Salary: SL3 / $55,500-$60,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Empire State University is an EOE employer.

We are pleased to offer our employees an excellent benefit package which includes NYS health insurance, free dental and vision, competitive retirement options, and generous vacation, sick and holiday accruals; and a strong emphasis on work-life balance. We also offer professional-development activities for professionals and support staff.

IF YOU NEED A DISABILITY-RELATED ACCOMMODATION, PLEASE CALL THE ADA COORDINATOR AT (518) 587-2100, ext. 2240. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TITLE II CRIME AWARENESS AND SECURITY ACT, A COPY OF OUR CRIME STATISTICS IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST BY CALLING (518) 587-2100, ext. 2800. IT CAN ALSO BE VIEWED ON-LINE AT THE SAFETY AND SECURITY WEBSITE AT www.sunyempire.edu/safety-security.