The Office of Disability Resource Services at Mesa Community College (MCC) is responsible for coordinating and leading compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding accommodations for students with disabilities. The department is responsible for providing all accommodations in multiple learning environments: such as physical and virtual classrooms, testing services, and any co-curricular sites, i.e., internships, externships, student teaching, events, etc. The institution is required by federal legislation, Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) and Section 504 to provide services specifically outlined as accommodations for students with disabilities. DRS supports an exam administration center and additional departmental team members include Access Specialists, Alternative Format coordinators, and Deaf and hard of hearing services (DHH), which provides accommodations, interpreters, closed-captions, support, and communication access for the DHH population at MCC. Mesa Community College invites applications for a seasoned, dynamic, innovative, and accomplished change management leader to serve as the Director for Disability Resource Services.
The incumbent will possess an advanced skill set to include: leadership knowledge, philosophy, and experience, high-level critical thinking and effective problem solving; strategies for continuous quality program improvement and personnel development; quickly adaptable to a fast-paced and ever-changing environment; effective written, verbal, and interpersonal skills. The position will oversee the administration and coordination of daily operations (including personnel, service delivery, programming, budget, and outreach) and administrative functions for student accommodation processes and student academic testing services. The incumbent will coordinate and provide overall policy management regarding ADA accessibility standards and ensure students disclosing a disability are provided reasonable programmatic and physical access accommodations to programs at MCC as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and amendments to ADA. This individual acts as an advisory contact to ensure access, reasonable accommodations, and identify campus policies and practices that may negatively impact disabled individuals. The Director will also provide training and consultation, participate in grant-writing, and represent DRS on various projects and institutional committees (i.e., Behavioral Intervention Team, college enrollment management, compliance, etc.). In addition, the Director is also trained and serves as a Title IX investigator.
The position is responsible for strategic operations and provides vision, leadership, departmental oversight, while acting as a campus and community resource to inspire progressive thinking about disability and accessibility, as well as ensure equal access and institutional compliance with federal and state statutes for students, guests, and visitors. The Director offers guidance and direction to faculty and staff as it relates to their work with students with disabilities in their classes and programs.
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to: campus compliance with federal, state, and local laws and policies, oversight of reasonable accommodation determinations; oversees and responds to and accurately and effectively resolves difficult or complex inquiries, requests and departmental complaints; coordination of the delivery and application of learning strategies to promote successful integration of students with disabilities; program development; technical support; operational assistance; environmental adaptations; and provide information to prospective students and educators regarding services for students with disabilities. The Director counsels and facilitates an interactive process with Student Affairs, campus leadership, faculty and staff on disability-related matters to solve access and disability-related student accommodation concerns across the disability spectrum.
DRS is organized in the Division of Student Affairs. Reporting to the Dean, Student Development, the Director serves on the Student Affairs leadership team and to promote successful integration of students with disabilities within the college environment. The Director provides needs assessments; interprets documentation to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations; coordinates the application of learning strategies, environmental adaptations, auxiliary aides, referrals, and provision of accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Director assumes responsibilities, with guidance from the Dean for the development and implementation of program goals, policies, and procedures that affect operations and curricular and co-curricular accessibility for current and prospective students with disabilities. An integral player in the Division, works closely with departments such as Academic Affairs, Veteran Services, Career Services, Student Conduct, Student Life, etc.
In summary, this position requires seasoned leadership and specialized experience providing accommodations in an educational setting (preferably higher education setting) to students with various physical and non-physical disabilities. This position is responsible for assisting the Dean, Student Support Services and working collaboratively across divisions and colleges to ensure institutional compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; coordinating appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities, promoting disability awareness to include: professional development and outreach to faculty and staff, and coordinating department staff activities and functions. The Director will support and implement the vision, mission, and values of Mesa Community College.
Essential Functions
45% Leadership: Oversee and direct strategic planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of all DRS operations (including personnel, service delivery, programming, budget, and outreach) at two campus locations, as well as administrative functions for student accommodation processes and student academic testing services. Direct legally mandated academic accommodations and support services for students with disabilities in order to ensure equal access as per Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the American with Disabilities Amendments Act. Mediate and address conflict with faculty/staff disability-related grievances regarding accommodations and/or accommodation implementation. Respond to and resolve difficult or complex inquiries, requests, and complaints. Collaborate with campus partners and external organizations to enhance support services and resources available to students. Evaluate and conduct routine program health assessments to determine relevance and effectiveness of departmental, processes, procedures, practices, services, materials, and technology for disabled students. Develop effective enrollment management strategies to engage, recruit, and retain students. Create effective and efficient tracking, monitoring, and recording systems to document student status. Interpret data to understand, assess, and advocate for student/departmental needs. Prepare reports and documentation as required for compliance and institutional purposes. Respond to inquiries requiring detailed knowledge of policies and procedures. Serve as an investigator in Title IX and other complaint procedures. Implement and maintain high standard routine practices to hire, supervise, evaluate, and train staff. Serve as an active member of the Student Affairs Managers Team, Disability Managers Council, Behavioral Intervention Team, etc. Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge in-person, across the Maricopa Colleges, and/or virtually. Remain informed about current trends, research, and best practices in the field of disability services. Develop and maintain awareness of technological supports for students with disabilities.
45% Compliance: Ensure compliance and follow, understand, and adhere to federal, state, District Office, and institutional regulations/laws/policies and regulations such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the ADA Amendments Act. Implement reasonable and appropriate accommodations based on documentation of disability provided by qualified diagnosticians; evaluate medical and other documentation to determine qualifying status of students with disabilities requesting reasonable accommodations. Provide reasonable accommodations, support services and auxiliary aids. Work closely with faculty/staff at both MCC campus locations to ensure administration of accommodations in a timely, appropriate, and efficient manner. Utilize DRS systems to effectively monitor student accommodations and communicate with students/ faculty. Maintain student confidentiality and prepare reports and documentation as required for compliance and institutional purposes. Ensure students equal access to MCC's curricular and co-curricular activities. Consult with on- and off-campus medical, psychological, technology, and disability determination professionals in the review of student documentation as appropriate. Support a caseload of students and counsel them to better understand their disabilities and their MCC experience. Problem-solve and potentially refine strategies, assistive technologies, and/or reasonable accommodations. Connect students with relevant on- and off-campus resources and offer guidance and support in navigating dynamic, fast-paced learning environments. Embed learning opportunities to develop student self-advocacy skills and foster autonomy. Maintain accurate and confidential records of student requests, determinations, interactions, accommodations, and services provided. Track and monitor federal grants; prepare and monitor department budgets and other related budgets and operations.
5% Training and Building Awareness and Outreach: Plan and implement regular in-person in-service training and counsel faculty, staff, and administrators to develop an understanding and implementation of accommodation best practices and compliance for student equal access to curricular and cocurricular programs, events and activities. Develop and implement programs and workshops to raise disability awareness and foster an inclusive campus culture. Collaborate with district offices, colleges, divisions, and community organizations and serve as a liaison to promote inclusive teaching strategies, environments, and student services programs. Plan, implement, and participate in information sessions, New Student Orientation, and other events to introduce disability resources support services for new students and the campus community. Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance skills and knowledge.
5% Other duties as assigned