Access Specialist

Application Deadline:               Friday, September 03, 2021

Salary & Benefits:                     Salary is $43,771.42.  Compensation package is comprised of many college paid benefits including health and life insurance, retirement, leave time, and tuition waivers for Santa Fe College and the University of Florida.

Classification:                            Full-time, Technical/Professional, Pay Grade PT4, Non-exempt.

Location:                                    Northwest Campus, 3000 NW 83rd Street, Building S, Room 229, Gainesville, Florida 32606.

Overview:  Santa Fe College (SF) has been recognized as one of the top-rated community college in the United States.  Santa Fe College is a student-centered institution with a commitment to open access, academic excellence, and cultural and ethnic diversity.  Santa Fe College is a comprehensive public college that offers a range of Bachelor’s degrees, Associate in Arts, Associate in Science and Associate in Applied Science degree options, as well as Certificate and Non-Degree programs.  A high quality of life, temperate climate, proximity to the University of Florida, diverse cultural events, and plentiful recreational opportunities make SF and Gainesville an ideal community to work and live.  SF enrolls over 16,000 students each semester, retains and completes over 60% of students every academic year, while over 10% transfer into the University system.

Focusing on social justice, the Disabilities Resource Center (DRC) at Santa Fe College is committed to providing equal access and equal opportunity for students with disabilities to ensure full participation in all aspects of SF College life.   In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), it is the mission of the Disabilities Resource Center to provide comprehensive information for students with disabilities, establish and facilitate reasonable academic adjustments for qualified students with disabilities, and serve as a college-wide resource on disability related matters.   The DRC is seeking an Access Specialist to work collaboratively with college staff and faculty to ensure compliance with college policies, procedures, legislative rules, as well as federal and state regulations related to students with disabilities.   

The Access Specialist is responsible for meeting individually with students to assess their support and service needs, providing information and guidance, arranging for approved accommodations and services, and serving as a liaison between students, faculty, staff, parents, secondary education institutions and community disability service agencies.  This position contributes to the overall success of the Disabilities Resource Center and the college as a whole by coordinating special projects and accessibility initiatives that focus on inclusion, enhancement and compliance. The Access Specialist will work with students who a have a broad range of disabilities, and this particular Access Specialist will especially work with students with sensory disabilities (Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind). The Access Specialist must exercise critical thinking and sound judgement in combination with knowledge of disability legislation related to equal access and compliance in order to assess which accommodations are reasonable and appropriate in the higher education academic environment.  This position must uphold the highest level of confidentiality, discretion and security in order to respectfully manage and maintain student personal information and official disability documentation.

Responsibilities and duties include:

• Work well with student who have a broad range of disabilities, but especially students with sensory disabilities (Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Blind), exhibiting professionalism, a positive demeanor, cooperative attitude, respect and sensitivity in all interactions with DRC students and visitors.
• Provide students with various information regarding institutional programs, DRC policies and procedures, as well as college and community resources available for students with a wide assortment of disabilities.
• Advise students on concerns related to disability, self-advocacy, as well as academic/vocational preparedness and provide recommendations for achieving maximum independence.
• Conduct interviews with students seeking accommodations, interpret available documentation in an effort to identify student needs concerning academic adjustments and formulate individualized accommodation plans.
• Analyze assistive technology needs and utilization skills of students with disabilities in order to recommend the most appropriate and efficient systems for the student.
• Provide personalized and individualized training to students, faculty and staff on the use of adaptive technology software and devices.
• Act as a college-wide resource to faculty and staff concerning disability legislation, compliance, assistive technology and accommodations for students with sensory impairments, available services, as well as DRC procedures.
• Collaborate with college personnel concerning student accommodations, petitions, appeals and other disability related matters.
• Participate in college events, serve on college committees and work groups to promote awareness of DRC services and to further the DRC mission of physical & programmatic accessibility.
• Act as a liaison of DRC to secondary education institutions and community disability service agencies.
• Assist with the assessment and development of guidelines and procedures regarding the provision of service for students with disabilities.
• Travel to educational centers to meet with students, faculty and staff to ensure the availability of DRC services.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule, especially during peak service periods to ensure service to students.
• Strictly honor the privacy, security and confidentiality of student records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal and college regulations, policies and procedures.
• Provide service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible and professional engagement.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Coordinator, Disabilities Resource Center

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:  A Master’s degree in Education or a relevant human services discipline with two (2) years of work experience in disability services is required. 

Additional Requirements:  A criminal background check will be conducted.

Preferred:  Experience working with students who have disabilities, more specifically, sensory disabilities, as well as experience in disability services in a postsecondary educational environment are preferred.  Experience gathering necessary information and interpreting disability documentation are preferred, as is familiarity with adaptive technologies and associated software for people with sensory impairments. Knowledge of federal and state disability laws as well as familiarity with higher education requirements, programs, coursework and policies are also preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: 

• Team Orientation & Interpersonal – highly motivated team player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.
• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.
• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.
• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.

Application Process: All applicants must create an Applicant Profile to complete the SF Employment Application, submit a letter of intent, an up-to-date resume, well as college transcripts to be considered for this position.  The letter of intent must describe your interest in working as an Access Specialist at Santa Fe College and explain the skills, strengths and experience you would bring to this position.  College transcripts are required for any college coursework. Unofficial transcripts are only accepted for review purposes, official transcripts are required prior to any offer of employment being made.