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

Job Description

Job Summary

The ARC director reports to the Student Affairs Director of Care and Conduct, and develops the strategic vision of the office, manages operations based on federal expectations for ADA and Section 504 compliance, supervises professional and student staff, and is responsible for development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, procedures, programs, activities, services, and supports for students with disabilities, including neurodivergent, mental health challenges, and/or chronic health conditions. Provide one-to-one accommodations management as well as group educational opportunities for students to develop essential academic skills, self-empowerment and personal independence in coordination with Associate Director. Serves as a point of escalation for unsolved needs and accessibility-related issues brought forward by students. Work to foster conditions for academic success for students with mental health and other disabilities that affect learning through one-to-one faculty consultations and by communicating principles of universal design and trauma responsive teaching through various faculty and departmental collaborations, 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 director will serve on the student affairs leadership team and in the administrator emergency on-call system. The director of accessibility, in their work with the dean of students, should strive to create a student experience framed by the core values of the student affairs division which include inclusion, access, growth and engagement.

The director of accessibility will be expected to attend regular meetings and serve on other departmental and all campus committees, as needed. The Accessibility Resource Center, 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

Accommodations and Support Services (35%)

Manage and oversee accommodations and support services for disabled students, including those with mental health challenges and other chronic health conditions, that impact learning and campus life. Evaluate student accommodation requests, inform students about options and develop and review accommodation plans as needed. Facilitate the process of accommodations and services delivery, including communication with various stakeholders. Management of Accessibility Resource Center services and supports, e.g. coordinating with staff members who oversee notetaking services, interpreters, etc., including hiring, training and supervising student workers. Coordinate and communicate with outside systems providing support, such as mental health networks, clinicians, vocational rehabilitation, individual coaches, learning specialists, as requested by students. Maintain student records and service data, with a strong emphasis on efficient and effective use of database system.

Disability Support and Academic Success Coordinator (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 growth edges 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. Promote student self-advocacy self-care 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/or academic support.

Accessibility Compliance Advisor (15%)

Serving as a content expert will meet regularly with faculty and administrators including residence life, class deans, academic support services, registrar’s office, dining services, facilities, individuals in Equity and Inclusion, and individuals in the Office of Human Resources, to provide guidance and advice regarding compliance requirements and college policy with respect to access and accommodations for people with disabilities. Works closely with the Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Non-Discrimination.

Accessibility Services Leadership (15%)

Provide management, staff supervision, and handle essential administrative matters. Provide information to new and prospective students, parents, high school personnel about services and supports at Smith. Maintain case notes, review case files, and provide data reports as needed, with a strong emphasis on continued development of database and use of reports to improve functioning of the office regarding student support as well as adminstrative compliance. Collaborate and communicate with essential campus partners as needed. Assume responsibility for special projects and committee work as assigned by the dean of students. Participate in emergency on-call system. Develop and manage assigned budgets. Other duties as assigned.

Inclusive Education and Access (10%)

Support the division in promoting access and inclusion by providing strategic direction and leadership in developing campus conditions that support academic success for disabled students, including students with mental health challenges and other chronic health conditions that impact learning. 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.

Other Functions

Learning Commons Accessibility Coordinator (5%)

Coordinate Accessibility Resource Center satellite offices (e.g., Neilson Learning Commons) in collaboration with adjacent campus partners. Provide leadership and expertise in the development of services and supports through the learning commons in Neilson library. This auxiliary point of service is an opportunity to reach students in a dynamic environment.

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

• Masters degree in education, social work, psychology, disability studies, special education, learning disabilities, rehab counseling, or related field.
• 5-7 years of experience providing education, counseling, advising, or other disability related services.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum development, training, and group instruction for adolescents and adults.
• Demonstrated experience in organizational leadership and development. Supervisory experience required.
• Experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• All employees are expected to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Higher education setting highly preferred.
• Experience with an accommodations tracking database preferred (e.g., Accommodate)

Skills

• Knowledge of and capacity to interface with electronic database for accommodations management.
• 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.

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About Smith College

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.