Assistant Director for Disability Resource Center, Portland, Oregon

Position Details

Position Summary

The Disability Resource Center is a rapidly growing department with over 2,000 students currently registered. The DRC ensures that all Portland State University students with disabilities have access to equitable opportunities in their education and other experiences.

The DRC determines reasonable accommodations, coordinates the provision of a variety of supports in-house, and collaborates with faculty and staff around campus to ensure that we are all doing our part to create and maintain accessible and inclusive environments.

The Assistant Director (AD) of the Disability Resource Center ( DRC) provides direct student service, supplements department management, supervision, and leadership, and provides education to the campus community.

The AD role would be split in the following ways:

Direct Student Service (40%)
The AD follows guidance of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act, Fair Housing Act, and other legislation to ensure appropriate accommodations and accessibility features are in place for all students with disabilities. The AD works directly with students registered with the DRC, receiving requests for accommodations, engaging students in the interactive process, reviewing medical documentation, determining eligibility for accommodation, and putting those accommodations into place. The AD also works directly with faculty and other staff on campus to ensure the accommodations required were established promptly and carried out effectively.

Internal Development (10%)
The AD coordinates some of the department’s internal development and provides leadership toward meeting DRC strategic plan goals and objectives. The AD inspires and motivates the DRC team in completing projects that result in more effective service delivery, fewer accommodations, and/or more cost-effective services. The AD sets performance goals, offers coaching throughout, and tracks projects through to completion.

External Development (10%)
In an effort to increase proactive accessibility and disability inclusion across campus, and in collaboration with the Director, the AD co-facilitates external development. This includes participating in committee work, conducting training, presenting on topics like Universal Design and Ableism, and doing consultation work with faculty and staff in an effort to make PSU a more proactively accessible and inclusive place.

Supervision (40%)
Supervision will definitely be a small fraction of the work done by the AD but the specific area of oversight will depend on the incumbent’s skills, strengths, and previous experience. The AD would ultimately be responsible for the compliance and overall efficacy of services provided from the area(s) under their supervision. The AD would onboard, train, and supervise one or more areas within the DRC.

Education and Experience
Bachelor’s degree in associated field (Higher Education Administration, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, or other) WITH at least 6 years experience in leadership within disability services in higher education

OR Masters degree in associated field (Higher Education Administration, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, or other) with at least 3 years experience in disability services in higher education.

3 years related experience supervising others.

3 years experience working with people who have disabilities.

Skills and Knowledge
Communication skills are fundamental for interacting with colleagues, students, and stakeholders. Role requires clear and professional articulation of ideas. Demonstrated effective communication skills, including experience consulting, educating, and/or training groups

Understanding of and ability to articulate Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) and how they apply to public institutions in higher education.

Strong comprehension skills to process written instructions, emails, reports, and other relevant documents, and the ability to quickly, thoroughly, and concisely create case-notes after interactions with students.

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple time-sensitive tasks while effectively prioritizing a workload. Experience managing projects through to completion

Attention to Detail is essential for accuracy and quality in this role.

Problem-Solving Skills, including the ability to analyze problems, identify solutions, and make sound decisions is essential for navigating challenges and resolving issues in this role.

Demonstrated commitment to intersectional approach to disability.

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity. The starting annual salary for this position will be $50,148 – 59556 but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR. An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools : https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/benefits-overview

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