Assistant Director of Graduate Student Accessibility, Accommodations & Health Promotion

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Morningside
• Salary Range: $77,000 - $82,000

Position Summary

The Assistant Director for Graduate Student Accessibility, Accommodations & Health Promotion is a newly established role responsible for supporting the development and advancement of a comprehensive, centralized approach to academic accessibility and health promotion for graduate students within Columbia Engineering.

The Assistant Director for Graduate Student Accessibility, Accommodations & Health Promotion supports the implementation and day-to-day coordination of academic accessibility, accommodations, and health promotion services for graduate students within Columbia Engineering.

Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Graduate Student Wellness, Support Services & Success, this position serves as a primary liaison among students, the University Disability Services Office, Columbia Engineering faculty, academic departments, and student support teams to help ensure accommodations are implemented in a timely, consistent, and equitable manner in accordance with established University policies and procedures.

Working under the guidance of the Assistant Dean, the Assistant Director coordinates accommodation processes across participating departments, assists with communication and implementation logistics, and supports efforts to promote inclusive academic practices and student wellbeing. The role exercises independent judgment in triaging accommodation-related concerns, coordinating services, monitoring implementation, and escalating sensitive or complex matters as appropriate.

The Assistant Director also contributes to wellness initiatives, student support efforts, and Engineering Student Affairs programming, including participation in crisis response, student outreach, and school-wide events and programs.

This position is well suited for a professional with strong organizational, communication, and relationship-management skills who is comfortable working in a collaborative academic environment and supporting students with varying accommodation and wellness needs.

Responsibilities

(60%)

The Assistant Director of Graduate Student Accessibility, Accommodations & Health Promotion executes the coordination and implementation of academic accommodations for graduate students registered with Columbia University Disability Services within Columbia Engineering. Working in collaboration with the University Disability Services Office, Engineering Student Affairs, academic departments, and graduate students, the incumbent facilitates the effective and timely delivery of accommodations while supporting communication, documentation, and coordination across the school.

Accessibility and Accommodations Coordination

• Execute the implementation and day-to-day coordination of established accommodation processes for graduate students.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for accommodation-related communication within Columbia Engineering.
• Receive approved accommodations from the Disability Services Office and coordinate implementation with departments, faculty, and instructional staff.
• Ensure accommodations are delivered in a timely, consistent, and confidential manner in accordance with University policies and procedures.
• Coordinate accommodation logistics including exam accommodations, note-taking support, priority registration coordination, and related student support services.
• Provide day-to-day coordination and guidance to the Wellness Officer regarding accommodation-related operational procedures and logistics.
• Monitor accommodation implementation and follow up with faculty, staff, or departments regarding outstanding items as needed.
• Escalate sensitive or complex accommodation matters to the Assistant Dean as appropriate.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding student disability and health-related information.

Examination Support

• Serve as a back-up Examinations Proctor as needed.
• Assist with administration of examinations within parameters established by faculty, including distribution of exam materials and communication of examination procedures.
• Support adherence to established examination procedures and confidentiality standards.
• Complete administrative and logistical tasks related to exam preparation and coordination.

Faculty & Department Collaboration

• Serve as a resource to faculty, instructional support staff, and departments regarding accommodation implementation procedures and inclusive practices.
• Communicate with faculty, academic administration, and the Disability Services Office regarding approved accommodations and implementation logistics.
• Assist with training and informational sessions related to accommodation procedures, student support resources, and inclusive academic practices.
• Build collaborative working relationships across departments to support effective communication and coordination.
• Respond professionally to accommodation-related concerns and assist in resolving routine implementation issues.

Student Support & Case Coordination

• Provide case management and direct support to graduate students navigating accommodation processes and related concerns.
• Serve as a resource for students regarding accommodation implementation, available support services, and self-advocacy.
• Coordinate with case management, wellness, and campus partner offices to support student wellbeing and continuity of care.
• Maintain accurate documentation related to student support and student-of-concern cases.
• Serve as a liaison with Columbia Health and related campus partners regarding student access and support needs connected to approved accommodations. 

Health Promotion & Preventive Accessibility (NEW – Strategic Focus)

• Manage initiatives that position accessibility as a form of health promotion and prevention, reducing barriers before they escalate.
• Support cross-campus efforts to improve how students find, understand, and access university-wide health, wellness, and accommodation resources, using accessibility, health promotion, and health literacy frameworks.
• Promote inclusive academic practices (e.g., Universal Design for Learning principles) in partnership with faculty and departments.
• Create programming that supports executive functioning, academic skills, and sustainable productivity for graduate students.
• Partner with the Assistant Director of Graduate Student Wellness & Support Services to integrate accessibility into broader graduate student wellbeing campaigns and initiatives.
• Ensure all wellness programming is inclusive and accessible by design, not retrofitted.

Documentation, Tracking & Compliance

• Maintain accurate records related to accommodation notifications, implementation status, and student support services in accordance with applicable University policies and confidentiality requirements, including ADA and FERPA guidelines.
• Utilize established tracking systems and databases to document accommodation coordination and related student support activities.
• Follow up with departments, faculty, or staff regarding accommodation implementation concerns or outstanding documentation needs.

Training & Education

• Deliver training materials for faculty and staff on accommodation procedures and inclusive practices.
• Update internal documentation (e.g., SOPs, FAQs, email templates).

Process Improvement & Evaluation

• Collect feedback from students, faculty, and staff to inform process improvements.
• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of centralized implementation and propose adjustments.
• Support the development and implementation of Wellness initiatives along with programs that reflect the Columbia Engineering Graduate Student community’s needs and maintain the School and University objectives and high standards of quality care and community citizenship.

(30%)

Engineering Wellness & Student Affairs Support

As a member of the Engineering Graduate Student Wellness, Support Services, and Success team, the Assistant Director will:

• Participate in rotating 24-hour emergency on-call phone coverage to provide crisis response, support, referrals, and resource coordination for graduate engineering students.
• Assist with wellness-related outreach, programs, and events that support graduate student wellbeing and engagement.
• Support logistical coordination of student wellness programs, workshops, and community-building initiatives.
• Help ensure wellness programming and student engagement efforts are inclusive, accessible, and welcoming to all students.
• Maintain student-of-concern documentation and case notes in Maxient and related systems as appropriate.
• Contribute to broader Engineering Student Affairs initiatives and activities as needed.

(5%)

Assessment and Data:

• Measure and collect data on wellness initiatives and programs.
• Evaluate student wellness services and identify ways to further strengthen student wellness for Graduate Engineering students.
• Track wellness-related incidents and convene groups to address incidents proactively.

(5%)

Performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested, including but not limited to:

• Assist with school- and university-wide events and programs.
• Provide support as needed within the Office of Engineering Student Affairs.

Note about work hours and schedule: Primary working hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, midterm and final exam periods may require an adjusted schedule (e.g., 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. or 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.). This role follows a hybrid work model, with on-site days determined based on team and operational needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required and/or equivalent experience.
• 2–4 years of relevant professional experience in disability services, student affairs, academic support, wellness, or a related field, preferably within a higher education setting.
• Working knowledge of disability-related laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, FERPA, and related higher education accessibility practices.
• Relevant professional experience coordinating academic and/or housing accommodations and working directly with students with disabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within complex academic or organizational environments while maintaining effective working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and campus partners.
• Strong organizational, communication, and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple responsibilities and deadlines effectively.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, accessibility, and supporting diverse student populations.
• Experience supporting or engaging with diverse and international student populations and familiarity with challenges commonly experienced by graduate students.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment within established policies and procedures and escalate sensitive or complex concerns appropriately.
•  Ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing responsibilities, and adapt to changing needs in a student-centered environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other campus constituents in both individual and group settings.
• Strong computer proficiency and ability to utilize databases, case management systems, and student services technologies effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Masters Degree in Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Mental Health Counseling or Disability Studies.
• Demonstrated flexibility and ability to adjust to new demands, including changing requirements and shifting priorities.
• Adaptability to thrive in an environment that is characterized by significant growth and change.
• Excellent diplomatic and cross-cultural skills and ability to work collaboratively across multiple teams.
• Demonstrated success in cultivating a strong community in a higher education setting. 
• Ability to work independently and under pressure, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Familiarity with FERPA, Clery Act, HECMA standards, and student support or case management practices in higher education settings preferred.

Schedule Requirements

Note about work hours and schedule: Primary working hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, midterm and final exam periods may require an adjusted schedule (e.g., 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. or 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.). This role follows a hybrid work model, with on-site days determined based on team and operational needs.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.