Associate Director DSS

TITLE

Associate Director, Disability Services for Students

JOB SUMMARY 

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:   Director, Disability Services for Students

Supervises:  Coordinator (Denton), Disability Services for Students

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

• Supervises and evaluates DSS coordinators, part-time employees and student staff responsible for the effective implementation of accommodations for students, including note-taking services, communication access, testing accommodations, and/or accessible course materials in a timely and effective manner. 
• Coordinates use of Accessible Information Management (AIM) to manage the work with registered students and their instructors.
• Oversees provision of auxiliary aids and services, including note-taking services, communication access, testing accommodations, and/or production of course materials in alternative accessible formats.
• Conducts training to faculty, staff, and students to foster awareness, sensitivity, and knowledge regarding access, disability rights, social justice topics, assistive technology, and inclusive practices.
• Assists Director in evaluating and responding to student access needs and resource demands, patterns of student access requests and usage, student appeals, and concerns about access and access compliance.
• Oversees DSS web and social media presence.
• Manages the department in absence of the Director.
• Evaluates medical and psychological documentation to determine accommodations for students with disabilities.
• Provides individual assistance to students (including collaboration with other university departments) that ensures equal access to university programs and services.
• Responds to requests for general information from enrolled students, and provides program information for prospective students, family members, counselors, etc.
• Makes referrals to appropriate campus services and coordinates with community/state agencies that provide services.
• Provides interpretation and assistance in implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act and the Rehabilitations Act to faculty, staff, and administrators.
• Advises students, faculty, and departments on appropriate and recommended reasonable academic accommodations.
• Coordinates outreach and training activities for the university regarding DSS services. 
• Serves on university committees.
• Establishes job standards for subordinate staff and effectively evaluates staff under charge. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Attends meetings as assigned.
• Prepares reports for DSS Director and/or Division of Student Life as requested. 
• Attends disability related conferences and external trainings on assistive/adaptive technology and software.
• Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION  

 

Master's degree in higher education, rehabilitation counseling, social work or a related field required.

EXPERIENCE

Minimum of four years of progressively responsible experience in Disability Services or a similar field within Higher Education. Minimum of two (2) years of supervisory experience. Demonstrated progressive responsibility in the areas of Disability Services.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.  

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

• Ability to work with a diverse population and support student access.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Detail-oriented; ability to multi-task; able to maintain confidentiality.
• Able to work with and learn computer applications and testing software.
• Ability to think critically to effectively solve and communicate problems in a fast-paced environment where the demands for work are varied, and unpredictable in scope and volume.
• Ability to provide sound recommendations based on policy, procedure, practice, and existing regulations.
• Ability to use a personal computer and other office equipment, including related university software and email. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment. 

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Texas Woman's University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate's ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman's University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government.  For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at or