Access and Disability Services (ADS) District Director

Pierce College

Access and Disability Services (ADS) District Director

SALARY

$94,189.00 - $116,534.00 Annually

LOCATION

Pierce College District, WA

JOB TYPE

Full Time

JOB NUMBER

A2401

DIVISION

Learning & Student Success

OPENING DATE

02/05/2024

CLOSING DATE

2/19/2024 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Summary

The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world.

Reporting to the Dean of Student Engagement, the Access and Disability Services (ADS) District Director provides leadership, operational management, and supervision of districtwide ADS offices and staff for Fort Steilacoom, Puyallup and Joint Based Lewis-McChord.

The Access and Disability Services (ADS) District Director is positioned within Student Services, District Learning and Student Success that focuses on closing college access gaps, increasing persistence, degree completion, and college/university enrollment for prospective and enrolled students from minoritized and marginalized backgrounds.

The ADS Director creates an empowering environment and creates equitable services for all students with disabilities with a prioritized focus on Black and Brown students, single parents, and economically under-resourced students with disabilities. The ADS Director promotes learning around disability awareness, advocacy, history, and engagement districtwide. The ADS Director uses in-depth knowledge of legislation and case law to develop and establish accommodation standards and practices for the students in Pierce College District. An essential component of establishing standards is to provide consultation and expertise, provide professional development opportunities for the college community related to access and equity. This position determines appropriate accommodations and authorizes reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids and services for students on a case-by-case basis. The Director of ADS provides the necessary leadership to campus stakeholders, faculty, and staff to plan and provide equitable access through strategic planning, administrative functions, policy development, assessment, and providing direct service to students with disabilities. This position collaborates closely with District Learning and Student Success division leaders and staff to ensure coordination of access, retention, and degree completion of ADS students districtwide.

Essential Functions

The Access and Disability Services District Director will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:

Leadership, Administration & Record Management

Create a brave and collaborative environment that centers on anti-racism, equity, and solidarity that is inclusive of the experiences of all students, staff, and college community.

Provide leadership, supervision, and direct the daily operations, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of ADS services and activities to ensure department outcomes and objectives are met.

Develop, assess, and maintain departmental standards for the independent determination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations and/or services.

Provide leadership for process improvements, identifying possible efficiencies, and improving workflow.

Ensure department operations, programs, and services align with the District Learning and Student Success and overall Student Services district division outcomes.

Interview, hire, train, and supervise staff, assign and direct work, set expectations, instruct, coach, identify training needs, and evaluate job performance in accordance with college policies and procedures based on employee type.

Supervise disability records management and in accordance with FERPA regulations.

Ensure the accuracy of ADS records (employment, student, fiscal) in accordance with federal, state and college requirements.

Develop, modify and update ADS policies and procedures to meet current federal and state compliance requirements.

Manage departmental budget including tracking expenditures, developing long term fiscal plans and making all necessary purchases that are in line with departmental needs.

Assess and analyze data and complete quarterly and annual reports regarding ADS operations, service population, outcomes progress, and fiscal accounting, modify as needed in consultation with the Dean.

Manage and ensure department marketing and communications of department website, database software, social media, and publications are kept current.

Student Academic Adjustment, Auxiliary Aids and Services

Assist with conducting intake interviews with prospective, new, and currently enrolled students who are interested in obtaining accommodations for a disability or disabilities.

Evaluate disability documentation, develop academic adjustments and accommodation plans, and oversee implementation of plans.

Provide referrals and ongoing case management to students in coordination with ADS staff.

Consult with faculty, staff, and administrators, as appropriate, when implementing accommodation plans.

Provide problem-solving, advocacy, and mediation for students with disabilities.

Understand and appropriately apply, interpret, and explain ADS and Pierce policies and procedures, state and federal rules, regulations, and laws.

Collaborate with ADS staff to ensure students have consistent accommodation plan implementation across the district.

District Collaboration & Engagement

Collaborate with Student Success Services Deans, Directors, and closely with District Learning and Student Success staff to coordinate pathways of access, retention, and completion of eligible ADS students who are new or enrolled in college equity empowerment programs for Black and Brown students and all marginalized populations such as into TRIO Student Support Services, ASPIRE/AANAPISI, James Baldwin Scholars, and/or Workforce programs.

Develop and coordinate engagement programs, training for students, staff, faculty, and the public to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of accommodations/services according to current research, national standards, and internal program assessment.

Liaison with college offices and departments to promote disability awareness that includes disability culture, racial and social justice, and intersectionality of marginalized students in collaboration with ADS staff.

Serve as a campus resource in applicable disability service law, best practices, and national trends in academic success for students with disabilities.

Create, foster, and maintain collaborative working relationships with faculty, staff, administration, and students.

Cultivate and maintain collaborative contact with local, county, and state resources that interface with people with disabilities in order to provide resources and referrals to support students.

Represent ADS to college departments/divisions, campus committees, educational partners, community agencies/associations, and regional/state organizations at meetings, presentations, and other events as it relates to division outcomes as approved by the Dean.

Collaborate with the District Section 504 Coordinator on policies, guidelines, procedures, facilities, and other matters related to providing equitable access to students.

Provide visibility for the ADS by participating in governance activities and serving on councils and committees as available.

Work with the Tacoma Public Schools Community-Based Transition Services (CBT) to bridge career and technical education with special education for students with disabilities ages 18-21. Spearheading this partnership to ensure that students in the CBT transfer to Pierce College and Pierce College follows them throughout their journey to promote retention of students with disabilities.

Other duties as assigned.

Education Required

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in social/ behavioral science, vocational rehabilitation, special education, or related field.

OR

Full-time equivalent of work experience (five (5) years of experience working in higher education, three (3) of those years dedicated solely to work in disability services).

Experience Required

Minimum three (3) years of experience working with people with disabilities.

Minimum of two (2) years of experience assessing the needs, evaluating and placement of individuals with disabilities in higher education.

Experience working with economically disadvantaged, first generation to college students, and students from ethnic/culturally diverse backgrounds.

Knowledge of applicable disability law, including Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and demonstrated ability to apply this understanding in a college context.

Demonstrated experience with personnel supervision.

Required Competencies

Extensive knowledge of and ability to administer high quality support services to students with disabilities.

Knowledge and understanding of racial equity, and intersectionality and how race intersects with disability status.

Knowledge and experience with creating and sustaining cross departmental relationships, especially with departments focused on racial equity work.

Extensive knowledge of and ability to interpret and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504 & 508, college policies, and other applicable state, local, and federal laws and regulations.

Expertise and competence in understanding a broad variety of disabilities (e.g. physical, mental, learning, psychological).

Knowledge of and experience accessing a wide network of local, county, and state resources that interface with people with disabilities in order to provide resources and referrals to support students.

Knowledge of Student Services in higher education, and skill and ability to apply appropriate models for disabilities services.

Demonstrated leadership and advocacy abilities, combined with effective staff management and development skills.

Excellent time-management and problem-solving techniques, and professional judgment in complex and sensitive situations.

Demonstrated ability to adhere to high standards of confidentiality, integrity and honesty.

Ability to function in a consultative and collaborative manner for case management, decision-making and problem solving.

Value diversity and a deep understanding of equity, diversity, and inclusion, and the ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, including faculty, staff, students, families, and other stakeholders.

Ability to work in a district environment.

Ability to take direction and perform duties as assigned.

Special Requirements

The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background check after a conditional offer of employment.

Must meet and maintain security standards for installation (JBLM) access authorization.

To be considered for this position, applicants must

Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.

Complete the online application profile and apply for the specific job opening at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr.

Upload (attach) a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement. (Cover Letter)

Upload (attach) detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience.(Résumé)

Transcripts are not required in order to apply for this position; however, if you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to submit copies of unofficial transcripts showing completion of the required level of education. Please upload current copies of your transcripts, if available. Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts must include degree received and conferral date. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: https://www.naces.org/members (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required upon hire). (Transcripts)

Upload (attach) a list of at least three (3) professional references with names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. One of which must be your current or most recent supervisor. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)

Provide a response to the following question. (Supplemental Question)

How does racial equity shape your leadership philosophy, and how will you advance racial equity as the Access and Disability Services District Director? Please limit your response to a maximum of 500 words.

Please Note

To ensure consideration, application materials should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

All correspondence regarding your application status will be sent to the email address associated with your NeoEd account. Please make sure to check your spam folder periodically, in the case of an automated, incorrect delivery.

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time administrative - exempt position. The primary work location will be at Pierce College, Fort Steilacoom campus. Frequent travel to Pierce College campuses or other sites to include Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Standard work hours are between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend hours required. This position requires regular and consistent attendance.

Salary & Benefits

The salary range for this position is $94,189.00 to $116,534.00 annually. The salary will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and related experience. Typically, new hires start no higher than $98,114.00/year, based on Pierce College's Administrative/Exempt Compensation Plan. Your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package which is worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long- term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our Benefits and Leave website at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr- benefits.

Physical Work Environment

This position works indoors in an office environment.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the District Human Resources Office by calling 253-964-7342. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

Screening & Interview Process

Only those candidates who have complied with the application process and meet the required qualifications will be considered. Following the review of application materials, the most qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Check the email account you used for the application process for communication regarding the status of your application. Application materials submitted to Pierce College are the property of the College and will not be returned.

Please note: This is a competitive selection process. Your application materials will be reviewed and evaluated based on the minimum qualifications listed for the position. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the District's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status normally occurs 4 to 6 weeks after the closing date. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include written, oral and performance examinations, and final interviews.

Conditions of Employment

Pierce College is a “fully vaccinated campus” under the state’s higher education guidance, which means that COVID-19 vaccination is highly encouraged for all employees and students.

Prior to the start of employment, the finalist for this position will be subject to a criminal background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law RCW 28B.112.080.

An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the District to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

Pierce College has adopted a Drug Free Workplace policy. As a condition of employment, employees must agree to abide by the requirements established in that policy.

Equal Opportunity

The Pierce College District is an equal opportunity employer. The Board of Trustees and Pierce College District are committed to providing equal opportunity and will not discriminate in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices. Decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal.

For more information about this position or assistance regarding your application, please contact the Human Resources office at: jobs@pierce.ctc.edu.

Questions regarding equal employment opportunities or discrimination may be directed to the following:

Sean Cooke

Title IX Coordinator

(253) 840-8472

Davi Kallman

ADACO / Section 504 Coordinator

(253) 912-3715

Deena Forsythe

Interim Vice President for Human Resources

(253) 964-6586

Paula Henson-Williams

District Affirmative Action Officer

(253) 864-3229

Agency

Pierce College

Address

9401 Farwest Drive SW

Lakewood, Washington, 98498

Phone

253.964.7342

Website

https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr

Access and Disability Services (ADS) District Director Supplemental Questionnaire

QUESTION 1

How does racial equity shape your leadership philosophy, and how will you advance racial equity as the Access and Disability Services District Director? Please limit your response to a maximum of 500 words.

Required Question