Assistant Director of Disability Services

About Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts:

At MCLA, we're here for all - and focused on each - of our students. As a 2023 Top Ten Public College, classes are taught by educators who care deeply about teaching, and about seeing their students thrive on every level of their lives. Nearly 93% of our graduates land competitive jobs or are accepted by some of the best grad schools in the country. We engage in the most nationally relevant conversations by hosting some of the most celebrated thinkers and speakers on our campus in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, an area known for its mountain ranges, hiking trails, and panoramic views. Our home town of North Adams is brimming with creative energy and the regional economy is booming as a result. In nearly every way possible, the experience at MCLA is designed to elevate you as an individual, a leader, and a communicator, fully empowered to make your impression on the world.


Job Description:

The Assistant Director of Student Disability Support Resources provides students with an orientation to disability supports, and facilitates disability needs assessment and arrangement of accommodations. The Assistant Director is the office's point person for addressing the assistive technology needs for MCLA students with disabilities and is responsible for managing and arranging assistive technology for students while also investigating new technologies, maintaining inventory and training students on technology. The Assistant Director also assists in developing and managing the department's webpages and first year student transition program. The Assistant Director serves as an integral member of the Disability Resource team regarding strategic planning, data collection and special projects.

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide students with orientation to disability supports

• Interpret and evaluate student medical and educational documentation to ensure students qualify for reasonable and appropriate accommodations and services. Determine eligibility and coordinate access to accommodations and services for students with disabilities.
• Maintain specialized knowledge of various disabilities and how they affect learning.
• Collaborate and make referrals to appropriate academic services and supports such as TRIO support services, academic support and advising, and counseling. Make referrals to outside agencies as needed.

Assess the needs of students registered with the office regarding the use of technology and need for alternate forms of course materials; Oversee and manage assistive technology accommodations and services for students with disabilities.

• Provide individual and group instruction and training for students with disabilities in the use of Assistive/Adaptive Technology i.e. Voice-to-Text software, Live Scribe pens, Screen Readers, Screen magnifiers, Adaptive Keyboards, and more. Assist students in person with installing/updating/troubleshooting assistive technology software and hardware.
• Support student in requesting books in alternate format from approved vendors/publishers as required for students who need this accommodation.
• Coordinate Live Scribe note-taking pen and audio recorder loan programs. Perform maintenance and inventory of all equipment
• Evaluates, researches, recommends purchase of new hardware and software to stay current with new advances in the field.
• Responsible for the maintenance of all assistive technology and equipment for the Mark Hopkins computer lab Explore and advance as accommodations emerging assistive technologies which may benefit MCLA learners.
• Collaborate with MCLA's Office of Academic Technology and various off campus community partners to support technology needs of MCLA students.
• Organize annual AT summit.

Provide success coaching to students with

• Administer and interpret the Learning and Study Skills Assessment (LASSI)
• Coach and present to students around learning, study, and self-management strategies.
• Refer students to other sources of information, such as career services, department chairs and faculty members, writing studio, math drop-in and tutor centers.

Coordinate class notes for students with note-taking accommodation. Arrange for peer note takers to meet student requests as requested.

• Provide training of student note-takers on the scanning of classroom notes and other materials using Microsoft Lens or other approved app.
• Coordinate gift cards at end of semester.

Provide general pre-advising and academic support to students.


Requirements:

• Master's Degree with 3 or more years' experience in a similar capacity or Bachelor's degree with 5 or more years of experience in a similar capacity.
• Demonstrated experience in the interpretation of psycho-educational diagnostic evaluations and data.
• In depth knowledge of assistive technology, accessibility issues, and experience in training on the use of assistive technologies.
• Experience working with students with disabilities in an educational setting
• Experience arranging and implementing accommodations for students such as accessible course materials.
• Strong verbal and written interpersonal communication skills, as well as the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a range of constituencies including faculty and administrators
• Ability to relate to individuals of diverse abilities and backgrounds

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position in the APA bargaining Unit. Salary is $50,000.

For questions regarding your application or specifics of this position, please contact hr@mcla.edu.

It is the policy of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine, including booster, is required of all individuals hired by MCLA, to be verified after an offer of employment has been made, and as part of the background check process. Prospective employees may submit a request for exemption based on a religious and/or medical basis, to Human Resources.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that they operate, which extends to admission and employment at MCLA. MCLA is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX") to not discriminate in such a manner. Inquiries about the application of Title IX may be directed to each respective MCLA's Title IX Coordinator, to the Assistant Secretary of the Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Christopher Hays
Interim Title IX Coordinator and Equal Opportunity Officer for Employees
Phone: (413) 662-5597
Email: christopher.hays@mcla.edu
Mailing Address: 375 Church Street, North Adams, MA 01247

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
33 Arch Street, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02119-1424
Telephone: (617) 289-0111; FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD (877) 521-2172
Email: OCR.Boston@ed.gov


Application Instructions:

Deadline for applications is December 30, 2022.

Interested candidates must apply electronically and should submit a letter of interest and resume by clicking on the APPLY NOW button below.