The Office of Disability Resource Services at Mesa Community College (MCC) is responsible for coordinating and leading compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding accommodations for students with disabilities. The department is responsible for providing all accommodations in multiple learning environments: such as physical and virtual classrooms, testing services, and any co-curricular sites, i.e., internships, externships, student teaching, events, etc. The institution is required by federal legislation, Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act (ADAAA) and Section 504 to provide services specifically outlined as accommodations for students with disabilities. DRS supports an exam administration center and additional departmental team members include Access Specialists, Alternative Format coordinators, and Deaf and hard of hearing services (DHH), which provides accommodations, interpreters, closed-captions, support, and communication access for the DHH population at MCC. Mesa Community College invites applications for a seasoned, dynamic, innovative, and accomplished change management leader to serve as the Director for Disability Resource Services.
The incumbent will possess an advanced skill set to include: leadership knowledge, philosophy, and experience, high-level critical thinking and effective problem solving; strategies for continuous quality program improvement and personnel development; quickly adaptable to a fast-paced and ever-changing environment; effective written, verbal, and interpersonal skills. The position will oversee the administration and coordination of daily operations (including personnel, service delivery, programming, budget, and outreach) and administrative functions for student accommodation processes and student academic testing services. The incumbent will coordinate and provide overall policy management regarding ADA accessibility standards and ensure students disclosing a disability are provided reasonable programmatic and physical access accommodations to programs at MCC as mandated by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and amendments to ADA. This individual acts as an advisory contact to ensure access, reasonable accommodations, and identify campus policies and practices that may negatively impact disabled individuals. The Director will also provide training and consultation, participate in grant-writing, and represent DRS on various projects and institutional committees (i.e., Behavioral Intervention Team, college enrollment management, compliance, etc.). In addition, the Director is also trained and serves as a Title IX investigator.
The position is responsible for strategic operations and provides vision, leadership, departmental oversight, while acting as a campus and community resource to inspire progressive thinking about disability and accessibility, as well as ensure equal access and institutional compliance with federal and state statutes for students, guests, and visitors. The Director offers guidance and direction to faculty and staff as it relates to their work with students with disabilities in their classes and programs.
Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to: campus compliance with federal, state, and local laws and policies, oversight of reasonable accommodation determinations; oversees and responds to and accurately and effectively resolves difficult or complex inquiries, requests and departmental complaints; coordination of the delivery and application of learning strategies to promote successful integration of students with disabilities; program development; technical support; operational assistance; environmental adaptations; and provide information to prospective students and educators regarding services for students with disabilities. The Director counsels and facilitates an interactive process with Student Affairs, campus leadership, faculty and staff on disability-related matters to solve access and disability-related student accommodation concerns across the disability spectrum.
DRS is organized in the Division of Student Affairs. Reporting to the Dean, Student Development, the Director serves on the Student Affairs leadership team and to promote successful integration of students with disabilities within the college environment. The Director provides needs assessments; interprets documentation to determine reasonable and appropriate accommodations; coordinates the application of learning strategies, environmental adaptations, auxiliary aides, referrals, and provision of accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. The Director assumes responsibilities, with guidance from the Dean for the development and implementation of program goals, policies, and procedures that affect operations and curricular and co-curricular accessibility for current and prospective students with disabilities. An integral player in the Division, works closely with departments such as Academic Affairs, Veteran Services, Career Services, Student Conduct, Student Life, etc.
In summary, this position requires seasoned leadership and specialized experience providing accommodations in an educational setting (preferably higher education setting) to students with various physical and non-physical disabilities. This position is responsible for assisting the Dean, Student Support Services and working collaboratively across divisions and colleges to ensure institutional compliance with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Sections 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; coordinating appropriate accommodations for students with disabilities, promoting disability awareness to include: professional development and outreach to faculty and staff, and coordinating department staff activities and functions. The Director will support and implement the vision, mission, and values of Mesa Community College.
