Disability Support Services Specialist

Disability Support Services Specialist
Whitman College

Compensation: $53,000-$60,000

WHITMAN COLLEGE

Located in the historic community of Walla Walla, Whitman's vibrant and beautiful tree-lined campus is home to an intellectually diverse, dynamic, welcoming and supportive community of some 500 staff and faculty serving approximately 1,500 students from the local region and across the globe. With exceptional students, accomplished faculty and staff, and a fiercely loyal and growing number of engaged alumni, Whitman College continues to build on its national reputation for academic excellence as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country.

Whitman College is cultivating a community built on inclusion and belonging. We recognize the value of those who can offer historically underrepresented perspectives and encourage applications from those whose background, knowledge, and insights from lived experience can add to the college's working and learning environment. Whitman College is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer (EEO).

POSITION PURPOSE

Under the supervision and guidance of the Director of Academic Support Services, the Disability Support Services (DSS) Specialist will advise, counsel, and help students with disabilities become more effective learners with respect for all of the challenges they bring. The DSS Specialist provides a warm, welcoming on-campus presence to students seeking support for new and continuing accommodations.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Meet with current students seeking accommodations, working with them through the process of applying or renewing or modifying accommodation requests, including intake meetings, acquiring and evaluating documentation, identifying and implementing accommodations as appropriate, and providing assistive technology support.
• Meet with prospective students and families, assisting with arrangement of disability support services for incoming and returning students, evaluating documentation, identifying and implementing accommodations as appropriate, and providing assistive technology support.
• Serve as an on-campus presence and resource, and also be available virtually as needed by students.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Director of DSS, coordinate acquisition and accuracy of alternative format texts, and work with students and faculty to ensure all alternative texts are in a readable and/or audible format for the student.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Director of DSS, coordinate, maintain, and troubleshoot the inventory of assistive technology available for students with disabilities, including training students with disabilities on how to use specific equipment. Stay abreast of emerging technology for potential acquisition.
• Collaborate with campus stakeholders to ensure accessibility of programs and services for students.
• Provide individualized academic coaching and mentoring for students with disabilities (with an emphasis on first-year students).
• Adhere to Whitman DSS protocols for obtaining and uploading documentation to support accommodations and for recording notes about the interactive process with students in the Accommodate system.
• Serve as a trusted resource for faculty, staff, and students who have questions about student accommodations.
• Participate in planning and presenting faculty and staff professional development about disabilities and disability student services.
• Provide support to the Testing & Tutoring Coordinator for accommodated testing, including advising as needed about the proper application of accommodations, the academic integrity of testing, and communication with faculty and students.
• Perform other tasks as requested by the Director of Academic Support Services.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Individuals must be able to explain and/or demonstrate that they possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities to safely perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation. Specifically,

• An understanding of and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality.
• Experience working with students with disabilities.
• Knowledge and understanding of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA and other pertinent federal and state laws that provide for an accessible higher education experience for disabled students.
• Commitment to cultivating a culture of equity, inclusion, belonging, antiracism and opportunity that respects the individual strengths, views, and experiences of students and colleagues.
• Experience with, or strong interest in, working with neurodiverse students.
• Knowledge of reading disability documentation and coordinating appropriate accommodations.
• Knowledge of assistive technology and alternative format textbooks.
• Excellent listening and communication skills.
• Ability to work well as part of a team.
• Ability to interact constructively and positively with faculty and with staff in other offices across the campus (such as the Counseling Center, Dean of Students, Housing & Residence Life, Library, Student Health Center, and Technology Services).

PREFERRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Experience working with people with concussions.
• Familiarity with UDL (Universal Design for Learning).
• Background in mental health support.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor's degree in a field relating to higher education, counseling, student personnel, or related field.
• Experience supporting and mentoring diverse college students in an educational setting, preferably a rigorous academic environment at the college/university level.
• Experience providing direct academic support and advising services to students with disabilities and students from diverse backgrounds.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A Master's degree in a field relating to higher education, counseling, student personnel, or related experience.

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered at the discretion of the College.

Please note that while the description details both required and preferred qualifications, we want applicants to be aware that they do not need to have all of the preferred qualifications to be considered for this position. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply.

BENEFITS

Whitman College offers a competitive benefits program that is designed to attract qualified candidates and retain talented employees. Full-time employees enjoy the following benefits:

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurances.

Basic life, accidental death and dismemberment and long term disability insurances with the capability to elect additional voluntary coverage.

403(b) Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with a 10% matching contribution after eligibility requirements are met.

Paid Time Off: 20 accrued vacation days, 12 accrued sick days, 13 paid holidays.

Tuition Remission - Dependent Children

Employee tuition waiver for one Whitman course per semester.

Employee Assistance Program

Learn more about benefits eligibility here.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR JOB CANDIDATES

Contact Human Resources regarding requests for disability accommodation in the employment application process.

APPLICATION REVIEW

Application review will begin March 21, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.

START DATE

April 2024

For full application instructions and position description, visit https://whitman.bamboohr.com/careers/343


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