Assistant Director of Academic Access

Job no: 528795

Work type: Staff Full Time

Location: UMass Amherst

Department: Disability Services

Union: PSU

Categories: Student Affairs & Services, Disability Services, PSU A

About UMass Amherst

The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.

Job Summary

Under the general supervision of the Associate Director of Education & Training, the Assistant Director of Academic Access is responsible for the oversight and management of the Learning Specialist (LS) Accommodation Program within Disability Services.

Essential Functions

• Provides leadership for the program supporting individualized instruction for students with information processing disabilities. Ensures programs and initiatives focus on incorporating registered students' needs, taking into consideration the specific strengths and weaknesses of diverse learners.
• Develops a service model where students obtain support through group workshops, registered students receive Learning Specialist support, and allows for the possibility of providing non-registered students coaching services.
• Provides high quality supervision to a team of professional and student staff who provide support to eligible students with executive functioning, organization, study, and social skill development, neurodiversity, and disability identity awareness.
• Provides procedural and policy guidance to all supervisees, and reviews performance through conferences and reports on effectiveness.
• Coordinates the recruitment, selection and training of professional and student LS program staff.
• Develops and maintains a Peer Mentor support program for students focusing on skill building and support from seasoned students with disabilities who are navigating the university experience effectively.
• Maintains ongoing training and support for students coming to college with executive challenges, social skill building. Establishes and maintains collaborative and effective working relationships with campus partners including but not limited to The Learning Resource Center, Student Success, CCPH and supplemental support through schools and colleges to provide students multi-tiered support across campus.
• Supports the Associate Director of Education and Training with programmatic efforts pertaining specifically to Academic Affairs.
• Manages assessment of services provided through the Learning Specialist and Peer Mentoring programs.
• May carry a small caseload of LS students when applicable.

Other Functions

• Performs related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
• Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
• Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with university policy.
• Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public university related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Bachelor's degree.
• Three (3) years' relevant experience in program coordination or project management, including two (2) years' experience supervising professional staff.
• Experience working in education, student affairs, human services, special education, disability studies, rehabilitation, social work, or counseling.
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Established skills in typical office suite software such as Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Teams, and web-based data management systems.

Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

• Experience with communication strategies and technologies, including distance education and training.
• Knowledge of higher education including accommodations and universal design.
• Teaching experience in multiple modalities.
• Awareness of the transition students with disabilities experience when moving from a K-12 to the student driven higher education model of self-advocacy.

Physical Demands/Working Conditions

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to travel for job-related purposes.

Work Schedule

• Monday – Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm.
• May be required to work some nights and weekends.

Salary Information

Level 27

PSU Hiring Ranges

Special Instructions to Applicants

Along with the application, please submit a resume. References will eb checked at the finalist stage. Please be prepared to provide contact information for three (3) professional references. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis until the position is filled. Early submissions are encouraged.

The University of Massachusetts Amherst welcomes all qualified applicants and complies with all state and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Advertised: Oct Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Jan Eastern Standard Time