Associate Director of Disability Services

If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

Job Summary

Supporting the Director of the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC), the Associate Director manages the day-to-day operations of ARC, supervises professional and student staff, and is responsible for development and implementation of policies, programs, services, and supports for students with disabilities. Managing the day-to-day operations includes partnering with the Director and Data/Records team member to oversee database use in support of ARC processes. This role evaluates, implements, coordinates, and monitors appropriate accommodations, services, programs and activities designed to create an accessible, inclusive educational environment for all disabled students, including those with neurodivergence, mental health challenges, and chronic health conditions. In coordination with the Director and with campus partners, provides one-to-one and group educational opportunities for students to develop essential academic skills, self-empowerment, and personal independence. Works to foster conditions for academic success for students with mental health and other disabilities that affect learning through working closely with campus partners, including Class Deans, the Jacobson Center, Spinelli Quantitative Skills Center, Educational Technology Services, Counseling services, the Sherred Center for Faculty Development, etc.

The Associate Director regularly completes student intake and accommodations management meetings, and is also responsible for the tasks of the Accommodations Coordinator in the event of staff absence. The Associate Director of ARC, in their work with Student Affairs, should strive to create a student experience framed by the core values of the division which include inclusion, access, growth and engagement.

The Associate Director of ARC will be expected to attend regular meetings and serve on other departmental and all campus committees, as needed. The ARC, within the division of student affairs, strives to create a support system framed by the learning aims of exploring, engaging and belonging, and will take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

(50%)

• Manage and oversee accommodations and support services for disabled students.
• Evaluate student accommodation requests along with Accommodations Coordinator(s), inform students about options and develop and review accommodation plans as needed.
• Facilitate the process of accommodations and services delivery, including communication and meeting with students, faculty, other ARC staff, Class Deans, Counseling Services, Housing, Lazarus, Dining, etc. Management of ARC services and supports, i.e. notetaking services, interpreters, etc, including hiring, training and supervising student workers in coordination with Accommodations Coordinator(s) and Data/Records team member. Coordinates and communicates with outside systems providing support, such as mental health networks, clinicians, vocational rehabilitation, individual coaches, learning specialists, as requested by students.
• Maintains student records and service data in coordination with other ARC staff members.

(20%)

• Collaborate with students with disabilities, including mental health and other chronic health conditions that impact learning to understand and manage their disability related challenges by maximizing the balance of strengths to weaknesses through development of essential personal and academic skills for success.
• Review and interpret psycho-educational reports and other documentation, discuss test results and clinical recommendations relevant to current challenges and courses research and other activities.
• Develop both individualized skill development goals and accommodation plans as appropriate.
• Assist with organizational, study, and reading skill development; promote student self-advocacy skills, developing community connections/peer support and building independent functioning.
• Refer and help students connect with other resources on and off campus. Provide small group and online opportunities for personal skill development, peer and community connections and academic support.
• Provide information to new and prospective students, parents, high school personnel about services and supports at Smith.

(20%)

• Provide management, staff supervision, and handle essential administrative matters, particularly use of database for streamlined office functioning. Oversee the office budget under the direction of the ARC Director.
• Represent the office in meetings and on various college committees as requested and necessary.
• Maintain case notes, review case files, and provide data reports as needed. Collaborate and communicate with essential campus partners as needed.

(5%)

• Support the division in promoting access and inclusion by providing leadership in developing campus conditions that support academic success for disabled students.
• Foster campus understanding, acceptance and appreciation of diverse learners.
• Provide liaison, consultation, and training opportunities for faculty, administrators and other campus departments with regard to disabilities and effective teaching strategies incorporating trauma responsive best practices at the individual, campus, and classroom level.
• Foster an atmosphere of inclusive teaching through communication of universal design principles and creating development opportunities for faculty to learn about approaches that enhance access in the classroom for diverse learners.
• Serve on college committees and keep current with community, state, or national level educational, planning, resource development, and training efforts as appropriate.
• Participate in 5-College collaborations that enhance the experience of students by enlisting shared resources in creative ways for faculty development regarding topics such as assistive and instructional technology, student evaluation, multi-media strategies for instruction, uses of online resources, etc.

(5%) Other Functions

• Other duties as assigned.
• All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Minimum Qualifications (knowledge, skills, education, experience, certifications, licenses)

• Master's degree in education, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, learning disabilities, rehab counseling, or related field and 5+ years of experience providing education, counseling, advising, or other disability related services. An equivalent combination of education/experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, training, and group instruction for adolescents and adults.
• Demonstrated experience in organizational leadership and development.
• A strong administrative skillset and familiarity with or ability to quickly learn use of Accommodate database.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Must be highly organized, skilled at planning and implementation, and attentive to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in Higher education setting highly preferred.
• Database use and administration experience highly preferred.

Skills

• Ability to understand and interpret adolescent and adult psycho-educational, neurological, and psychological testing and medical documentation.
• Specific instruments may include the WAIS-R, Woodcock Johnson-R, WRAT-R, Bender Gestalt, Nelson-Denny Reading Test, Key Math and other instruments as appropriate.
• Knowledge of a range of disabilities that impact learning, including psychiatric disabilities, neurodiversity and learning disabilities, ADHD, head injuries, and various chronic medical conditions.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of applicable disability civil rights laws.
• Knowledge of trauma-responsive teaching and Universal Design for Learning principles and techniques; assistive technology; academic skills development theory and methods; and adolescent and adult learning theory.

Position Type

Please attach BOTH a current resume and a cover letter in order for your application to be considered for this position . Be sure you have provided all attachments before submitting your application.

Review of applications will begin

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at recruiting-u@smith.edu.

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.