Teachers College - Jobs - Job Details - Director, Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID)

Job Summary/Basic Function:

The Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID) at Teachers College, Columbia University is seeking a forward-thinking change agent and visionary Director who will provide strategic responsibility for managing the office and day-to-day responsibilities associated with providing access and support for students, employees, and visitors with disabilities.


CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Equity & Compliance and Section 504 Compliance Officer, the Director will provide strategic and transformational leadership to ensure that faculty, staff, students, and visitors to the College with disabilities have equal access and opportunity for participation in educational programs, activities, and employment. The incumbent will carry out the institutional, department, and team mission while applying appropriate local, state, and federal laws prohibiting discrimination and denying individuals with disabilities equal opportunity to receive program benefits and services.

As part of the highly collaborative and communicative Diversity, Community Affairs, and Equity team, the Director will provide expertise and support to the institution in developing and implementing effective services and programs.

Responsibilities:

Leadership:

• Supervise three full-time employees in the office and support the supervision of five part-time staff and 30-40 interim employees, including accommodation service providers.
• Design and implement systems, programs, policies, and procedures to support accessibility opportunities for individuals with disabilities at Teachers College.
• Lead and develop educational initiatives and programs promoting inclusivity, access, and diversity, focusing on disability and access.
• Implement effective evaluation and assessment programs for all areas of OASID.
• Ensure that TC-related information is readily available on services, accommodations, policies, and demographics for individuals with disabilities.
• Design and implement internal measures and/or reports that inform the College administration of the status of ADA compliance and opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• Supply timely consultation to the 504 Coordinator for sensitive disability-related issues, informal and formal grievances, and disability-related discrimination concerns.
• Coordinate with the Office of the Vice President for Diversity and Community Affairs to develop and implement a comprehensive training, resource, and support program for faculty, staff, and students.
• Serve on College committees to develop institutional policies and procedures.
• Serve as a Teachers College liaison to relevant city, state, and federal agencies; maintain networking relationships with disability directors at colleague institutions and associations.
• Maintain appropriate professional memberships, disability service training, and certifications.
• Attend professional conferences and stay abreast of best practices for promoting equity and inclusivity in higher education.
• Supervise, manage, and provide performance evaluations for OASID staff.

Strategic Management and Planning:

• Direct OASID operations, policies, and procedures relating to individuals with disabilities.
• Manage written materials, websites, and other communications to broadly disseminate information regarding the ADA and the College’s policies relating to individuals with disabilities.
• Provide guidance and leadership and implement campus-wide initiatives that align with the strategic priorities and DEI strategic priorities.
• Develop community-wide communications related to disability accessibility initiatives and advise on other relevant communications.
• Support the Assistant Vice President and Vice President of Diversity and Community Affairs in preparing reports to College leadership, including the Board of Trustees and President.

Case Management:

• Provide case management for students, faculty, and staff with high needs and/or complex diagnoses. This may include meeting with individuals at intake seeking to register with OASID to review disability documentation and determine whether the faculty, staff, or student qualifies for disability accommodations.
• Consult with healthcare providers about medical documentation.
• Monitor the delivery of accommodations.
• Manage disability accommodations under the NYC Cooperative Dialogue process.
• Supervise all OASID Staff cases of individuals with disabilities registered with OASID.

Budget:

• Develop/manage OASID budget; plan and forecast budget changes and needs based on office goals.
• Complete annual budget for departmental activities and expenditures.
• Coordination with TCIT to develop IT initiatives and software/application purchases aligned with TC and OASID’s strategic priorities.

Compliance:

• Work collaboratively with the Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Community Affairs & Equity, and 504 Coordinator to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504, and other federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to faculty, staff, students, and visitors with disabilities.
• Advance current information regarding local, state, and federal laws and regulations, the best practices of other colleges and universities, the rights of persons with disabilities, and ways of providing reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities while maintaining program performance standards.

Other:

• Perform other duties as assigned.

NOTE: This position may require a flexible work schedule with some evening and weekend hours.

About OASID:

The Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID) is committed to providing equal access to all programs, activities and Teachers College events to people with disabilities. By coordinating accommodations and support services, OASID works with faculty, staff and students to ensure that individuals with disabilities can fully participate in the Teachers College community.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Licensed mental health clinician or 8+ years of experience evaluating disability documentation, and determining eligibility for services, and accommodations.
• Master’s degree and 8+ years of progressive experience in a category of disability, special education, psychology, educational psychology, or rehabilitation counseling.
• Prior supervisory experience.
• Experience in evaluating disability documentation, determining eligibility for services and accommodations, and generating a plan for providing services and accommodations in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff.
• Advanced knowledge of Section 504, amended ADA regulations, and other relevant laws about disability in higher education.
• Experience working with diverse populations.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion on sensitive issues and make sound decisions when consulting administrators, faculty, and other key stakeholders.
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision, as well as work collaboratively as a team member.
• People-oriented skills, including diplomatically, patiently, and successfully handling complaints, problems, questions, conflicts, and suggestions.
• Strong organizational skills, multi-tasking, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment where urgent situations often arise.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Acrobat Reader, and other office-based software
• Working knowledge of speech-to-text services (e.g., CART, TypeWell) and other adaptive technology, including post-production closed captioning technology
• Understanding of evaluation methods, tests, and results.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5+ years in administration of a program for students and employees with disabilities in an institution of higher education.
• Doctoral degree in education, counseling, related field, or terminal degree in other appropriate disciplines.
• Prior supervisory, budget, and networking skills.
• Relevant professional certifications and or memberships.

Salary Range:

$110,400.00 - $138,000.00

Work Modality:

Hybrid