Director, Disability Resources

ABOUT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS: Located St. Louis, Missouri, Washington University in St. Louis is widely regarded as one of the nation's premier liberal arts colleges. Established in 1853, “WashU,” is among the world’s leaders in teaching, research, patient care, and service to society. We are committed to learning and exploration, to discovery and impact. Washington University in St. Louis is building a better world by preparing and supporting more effective leaders with the knowledge, experience, dedication and creativity to tackle complex problems. We are a community of people driven to meet the world’s challenges. Through our partnerships and path-breaking research, we’re working together to shape the future of our university, our region and our world. We believe that advancements happen when diverse ideas, approaches and thinking intersect. The Division of Student Affairs at WashU contributes to the educational mission of the university through intentional co-curricular learning experiences that complement our students’ academic curriculum. The Division recognizes that student learning is most impactful when students are able to make significant connections across their many educational experiences, both in and outside of the classroom. Supporting students with disabilities and accessibility challenges is central to this mission.

POSITION SUMMARY The Director of Disability Resources is responsible for providing leadership and direction; directing strategic management and planning; developing and establishing policies; budgeting and planning; monitoring unit performance and data analysis aligned with the Divisional Strategic Plan; managing and mentoring staff; managing complex employee issues and concerns; directing and implementing reasonable accommodations and services for students with disabilities under the mandates of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 (as amended) and ensuring operations align with the University vision, mission and goals.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: Reporting directly to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success, the Disability Resources Director performs the following essential duties and responsibilities:

• Working collaboratively with the Disability Resources staff, Academic Mentoring Programs staff, faculty, the seven academic deans and their associates, students, Residential Life, Dining Services, Human Resources, Facilities, Student Life, the Career Center, Information and Technology, and Parking and Transportation, the Director will engage in proactive institutional strategic planning and implementation to assure access and compliance with the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA.

• Interpret and apply federal, state and local legislation related to access and accommodation for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Monitor campus compliance with federal, state and local legislation. Implement plans for access and accessibility improvements in collaboration with other administrators, faculty and staff. Consult with University administrators on electronic/web accessibility, provide guidance to managers, supervisors and faculty in implementing accommodations and collaborate with the University’s 504/ADA Coordinator to ensure that ADA architectural guidelines are met with respect to building and facility access. The Director will play an integral role in shaping and defining the direction of the University’s comprehensive disability compliance plan.

• Collaborate with staff to direct the evaluation of requests for accommodations and services based on the needs of self-identified students, staff, faculty, and visitors and to coordinate accommodations, auxiliary aids, services and access with appropriate University personnel to maintain compliance with the Rehabilitation Act and ADA. Coordinate or implement directly, where appropriate, accommodations and assess their effectiveness.

• Establish and review policies to assist faculty and staff in maintaining compliance with the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, as well as all federal, state and local legislation and regulations related to access and accommodation.

• Provide oversight and leadership for all disability related access and programming initiatives, as well as departmental budget management.

• Serve as an Ex Officio member of the Washington University Chancellor’s Committee to Support Students with Disabilities made up of students, staff and faculty charged with identifying and making recommendations to resolve any barriers to the implementation of accessibility programming and support.

• Maintain a working knowledge of current and developing regulations and policies regarding persons with disabilities including, but not limited to, FERPA, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA.

• Engage with colleagues across the WashU campuses to support students as they take classes and participate in activities in the undergraduate, graduate and professional schools as well as University College.

• Develop and update ongoing strategic plans that serve to facilitate and increase accommodation services and program accessibility. Maintain records, and appropriate confidentiality, and compile information for reports on services provided.

• Demonstrated cultural competence, commitment to diversity and to serving the needs of a diverse campus population.

• Develop and coordinate training and programs for students, faculty and staff regarding disability access, rights and responsibilities.

• Serve on selected University committees to provide information regarding policies and procedures for the disabled.

• Actively engage department staff with current best practices and a commitment to maintaining appropriate professional development in the field.

• Other projects and duties assigned by the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Success.

QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will have a Master's or PhD in a relevant discipline and a minimum of seven years of experience working in higher education, preferably in a supervisory role, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. A broad knowledge of the field of disability resources is essential, including the ability to advise and assess the needs of students with disabilities and align accommodations and support to ensure curricular and environmental accessibility. This person will understand and be well versed in national trends and ADA compliance regulations as well as state statues.

REQUIRED HOURS: The regular hours for this full time position are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday. Overtime, holiday, weekend and evening work hours may be required. Regular hours may vary due to needs of the department or division.

ADDITIONAL POSITION DETAILS: Regular, full-time, exempt. Pay is commensurate with experience. WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS: Washington University in St. Louis offers a wide variety of benefits and perks including health, dental, and vision plan options; paid time off; flexible spending accounts; retirement benefits; tuition assistance; fitness and wellness programs; and so much more! St. Louis has a dense cultural fabric, an international population, global presence, and a history of engaged citizenry and civil rights activism. It is a city of walking neighborhoods, with a flourishing restaurant scene, jazz clubs, a world-renowned symphony, critically lauded opera and art museums, World Series winning Cardinals baseball team, and the NHL 2019 Stanley Cup Champions. The nation’s Gateway City and nineteenth largest metropolitan area, it has a longstanding multicultural heritage and a close-knit community that is open and welcoming to newcomers. Please visit: (https://diversity.wustl.edu/stories/insiders-guide-to-st-louis/). Washington University has a physical plant of unusual beauty and architectural coherence: the idyllic 169-acre, Collegiate Gothic Danforth Campus adjacent to Forest Park that architects Cope and Stewardson and the Olmsted firm first devised in 1900, following their work at Bryn Mawr, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania. The recently completed East End transformation extends the campus seamlessly into Forest Park, with three new academic buildings, an expanded art museum, and new greenspace (https://campusnext.wustl.edu/items/landscape-architectural-plans/).

APPLICATION INFORMATION: To apply, visit https://jobs.wustl.edu/ search for Job Opening ID: 45469.

Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.