RACC Main Title

Summary:

The Director is responsible for the oversight, planning, and strategic management of a comprehensive focused student support system within the Academic and Student Affairs Division. The Director is responsible for the college’s compliance of the ADAA law and sections 504/508 of the Rehabilitation Act and identifying accommodations, support services and resources that provide qualifying students with disabilities access to all educational programs. The Director has the primary responsibility of creating, implementing, and monitoring a student accommodation plan. 

The Director will also develop and implement programming to educate the campus community about legal guidelines for supporting students with disabilities. The Director will collaborate with the Admissions Office with community outreach efforts to facilitate the transition of new students. The Director will oversee the intake process of new and returning students and coordinate initiatives that promote student retention and success. As part of the Student Affairs leadership team, the Director will collaborate with the Student Affairs directors and Academic Deans to support the mission of Reading Area Community Colle

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Work cooperatively as a member of the Student Affairs and Accessibility Services staff, whose purpose is to provide support to students, especially students with disabilities. 
2. Responsible for reviewing and monitoring the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504, 508 of the Rehabilitation Act for students.  Maintain a working knowledge of federal and state regulations concerning students with disabilities. 
3. Serve as the primary point of contact and resource for students, faculty and staff regarding accessibility services, policies and procedures. Develop and implement programming to educate the college community as needed. 
4. Review psycho-educational, medical, and psychological documentation to determine  reasonable academic, testing and technology accommodations for students. 
5. Establish and maintain a database system (i.e. Maxient) for tracking students with disabilities and the request for accommodations process. 
6. Responsible for creating, implementing, and monitoring student accommodation plans for students. Oversee case management and reporting. Track student data and prepare reports as needed. 
7. Supervise, train and manage department staff. Conduct regular team meetings to review student referrals, accommodation procedures, and other relevant information. Conduct annual evaluations. 
8. Inform faculty and staff about strategies that will enable them to work effectively with students with disabilities and students exhibiting disruptive behavior. Serve as an advocate for students with disabilities and support for instructional faculty.  Facilitate meetings for both students and staff as needed. 
9. Establish and maintain community relationships with school districts and local agencies through on campus programming and participation in off campus events for students with disabilities. 
10. Establish and maintain a collaboration with the local Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Keystone Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, and other related agencies to coordinate support services and refer students as needed.
11. Collaborate with grant program staff to provide support and programming for students eligible for the TRIO, SSSP Grant and Perkins Grant. 
12. Serve as a core member of the Care Team and follow up on referrals as needed.  Assist in managing students in crisis.  Utilize Maxient software to document communication and follow up activities. 
13. Serve as the initial point of contact for students in overseeing the College’s Pregnancy and Parenting procedure.  Collaborate with the Title IX Coordinator, Academic Deans and faculty as required. 
14. Responsible for planning and implementing a systematic assessment of programs, services, and activities including student learning outcomes.
15. Ensure confidentiality of student records as required by state and federal law. 
16. Prepare and submit end of semester and annual unit reports. 
17. Serve as member of the Clery Compliance Committee and as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSA’s shall report all Clery crimes to the Clery Compliance Officer to ensure campus compliance with timely warnings and daily crime log entries that are time sensitive.
18. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:                                                  

Directly supervise full-time, regular part-time and other part-time employees assigned to the position. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the policies of the collective bargaining agreements and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required: 

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Special Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work, Counseling, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of progressive professional experience managing disability services  case management within a higher education institution.
• At least 2 years of experience directly supervising professional or administrative staff.

Preferred:

• Experience with adaptive technology and alternative media services for students with disabilities
• Experience in a community college setting
• Experience managing students in crisis
• Experience with Title IX compliance 
• Academic advising experience

Computer Skills: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of internet software; spreadsheet software and word processing software including Microsoft Office. Proficiency with higher education case databases (e.g., Maxient, Colleague, etc.) and accommodated testing portals.

Other Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:                                              

• Comprehensive knowledge of ADA, Section 504, and Section 508 legal frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex medical, psychological, and psycho-educational evaluations.
• Exceptional crisis de-escalation skills and experience navigating sensitive family or legal dynamics.
• Self-motivated
• Ability to use computer databases to retrieve student, college, and career information, as well as knowledge of essential computer applications
• Ability to function productively and independently
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to establish positive working relationships
• Excellent management skills

Communication Skills:                                                   

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents.  Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style.  Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top administration, the public, students and/or boards of directors.

Mathematical Skills:   

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability:                                               

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Physical Demands: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

*This position description serves as a guideline for communicating the essential functions and other information about the position to the applicant/employee. It is not intended to create a binding employment contract nor cover every detail of the position and may be changed when appropriate.

FOR ANNUAL SECURITY AND CRIME STATISTICS REPORTS:

https://www.racc.edu/about-racc/clery