Director, Student Disability Services at University of Denver in Denver, Colorado

Job Description:

Student Affairs & Inclusive Excellence (SAIE) is the central student affairs division of the University of Denver. SAIE includes Housing and Residential Education, Student Engagement, Fraternity and Sorority Life, The Dean of Students office (SDS, Learning Effectiveness Program, The Cultural Center, FIRST@DU, Veteran and Military Resources, Student Outreach & Support, Student Rights & Responsibilities) Health and Counseling, Budget, Operations and Division Resources, New Student Programs, Parent & Family Engagement, and Community and Driscoll Commons.


We are committed to providing students with the support and skills needed to become empowered citizens who positively impact the communities of which they are a part, now, and in the future. We do so by challenging student to:

Reflect on their values and identities;

• Recognize their strengths and acknowledge areas for further growth;
• Understand the importance of needing and seeking support;
• Cultivate their passions; and
• Foster the public good

The University of Denver values diverse identities, experiences, and backgrounds. At AccessibleDU: Student Disability Services (formerly Disability Services Program), we honor disability as not just an important aspect of human diversity, but also an important aspect of individual identity. We are committed to centering undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students in this office and elevates the identity of Disability, while continuing to make sustainable transformation to a more accessible and inclusive environment. SDS provides accommodations to any student who has a documented disability, medical condition, and mental health condition as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Accommodations afford students equitable access to participate in the University's programs, courses, and activities.


Position Summary


The Director of SDS will provide comprehensive visioning, strategic planning, assessment, and implementation to the SDS. This individual will support SDS, Dean of Students (DoS) area, SAIE, and University leadership efforts to execute the University's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) through establishing equitable access for students with a disability, thereby creating the opportunity for students to participate fully in campus life, inside and outside the classroom.


The Director is charged with the oversight of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and disability policies as they relate to the implementation of reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.


The Director will lead a SDS department that is a student-friendly environment focused on student development, rather than transactional compliance, for undergraduate, graduate, and law school students. The Director will demonstrate progressive advancement of student development, universal design, and DEIA through involvement and participation in University/division-wide projects and initiatives.


Reporting to the Dean of Students (DoS), the Director is a senior member of the DoS leadership team. This is a 12-month full-time position responsible for supervising full-time, professional staff.


Essential Functions

• Oversee and manage SDS, including strategic planning, visioning, implementation, and assessment with a student-centered and social justice lens
• Create student friendly processes and procedures that exceed the basic compliance model to meet the moral imperative of equitable access for students: Students should always feel welcome, valued, affirmed, and respected through the accommodations process
• Serve as the main appellate and grievance position for SDS
• Oversee development of comprehensive faculty and staff training on how to create inclusive environments and equitable access for students with disabilities and who are neurodivergent
• Collaborate with DoS, Associate Dean of Students (ADoS), and divisional and university leadership to educate, train, and implement strategies on the identity of disability and neurodiversity
• Manage the budget development and oversight for the department and accommodation related budget
• Manage the Accommodate information management system and problem-solve effectively to support SDS staff usage, student usage, and faculty usage
• Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate full time staff
• Collaborate with the Office of Teaching and Learning, University Information Technology Services, academic leadership, and other University committee leadership to support creating comprehensive accessibility, equity, and inclusiveness across the student experience for students with disabilities
• Participate as a member of the University's Crisis Assessment Risk Evaluation (CARE) Team, serving as the resident expert for ADA policies, laws, and procedures
• Oversee and resolve student appeals/grievance process for non-approval of student accommodations requests by the Assistant Director and Accommodations Specialists
• Manage conflict resolution with students, families, faculty, and other campus constituents
• Collaborate with the ADA Coordinator's office to ensure students' access needs are effectively addressed across the University
• In consultation with the DoS, perform other duties including representing SDS on area, divisional, and campus committees

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of disability legislation as it relates to higher education
• Knowledge and understanding of interpreting diagnostic/psychological assessment used to assess undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities
• Knowledge of how to educate and train on the responsibility to create equitable access to learning
• Ability to work both independently and as an effective team member to create an equitable learning environment
• Strong organizational skills and detailed orientation
• Knowledge of both how to envision and bring the vision to fruition
• Knowledge of student development and social justice work in disability services
• Ability to create a student-friendly environment through knowledge of student development models and theory
• Ability to effectively manage crisis situations and employ supportive de-escalation techniques and strategies
• Effective in-person and written communication skills
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Experience with department management and leadership
• Experience with full-time staff supervision, evaluation, training, and development
• Experience with accessibility and disability information management platforms (e.g., Accommodate)
• Experience facilitating training and education
• Experience developing and implementing assessment plans and reports
• Experience with departmental and accommodations budget management in higher education

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Education, Special Education, Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field
• 5-8 years of higher education experience in disability services or related field
• Experience with strategic planning, visioning, and implementation
• Experience with ADA, Section 504, and disability-related policy development and implementation
• Experience assisting organizations in achieving compliance with ADA, Section 504, and disability-related laws
• Experience working with undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities and supporting faculty's implementation of accommodations in higher education settings

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctorate Degree
• ADA Coordinator Certification
• Demonstrated experience supporting and engaging students with multiple intersecting social identities including, but not limited to, disability, race, gender and sexuality, international, and neurodiversity
• 5+ years of supervision experience
• Experience with Universal Design for Learning

Working Environment


1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.


Physical Activities


1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.


Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Some nights, weekends, and holidays.


Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 4, 2024.



Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.


Salary Grade Number:

The salary grade for the position is 13.



Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $90,000-$100,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate's sex or any other protected status.


Benefits:

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.


Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non-Discrimination-Statement.


All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.




Advertised: September 13, 2024
Applications close: October 04, 2024 Apply Now