• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Building: Wien Hall
• Salary Range: $98,000 - $120,000

Position Summary

An integral member of Disability Services Case Management team and reporting to the Director, Student Case Management, the Associate Director will work to ensure the implementation of approved accommodations and disability-related services for undergraduate, graduate, professionals, non-degree, and visiting students registered with Disability Services (approximately 4,000 students annually) as required by law.  The Associate Director will provide thorough case management supervision for student-facing staff assigned to the case management team. The incumbent will review eligibility determination, provide recommendations regarding interpretation of medical documentation, functional limitations, and accommodation authorizations for students, as well as communicate accommodations to pertinent faculty and staff.  They will advise students, parents, faculty, University administrators, and staff on disability-related issues, and partner with Global Programs and regional sites to facilitate access to programs, services and assure appropriate accommodations and services are fulfilled.

This is an essential onsite role that requires occasional weekend and late evenings hours during times of peak operational volume.  Some hybrid work options may be considered.

Responsibilities

Supervision and Administration (65%)

• Supervise student facing staff who provide direct service and ongoing case management to registered students with a range of disabilities (physical, sensory, learning, neurological, mental health, medical etc.).
• Provide ongoing feedback regarding case management issues, maintain an effective case management system including case tracking, review and analysis, monitor case management work for quality assurance issues, review assigned cases to ensure appropriate distribution of caseload, recommend crisis intervention methods and direct ongoing process for formal and informal assessment strategies to meet the diversity of student needs and determine (re)allocation of resources, conduct periodic case reviews to ensure compliance with ADAAA.
• Oversee the management of student case notes ensuring staff produce ongoing case notes that document service encounters with students. Monitor disability records management with attention to the protection of confidentiality of all student records (disability documentation, case notes etc.) and in accordance with FERPA regulations.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop direct reports in the delivery of reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities, including assessment of information, review of documentation, and notifications to and consultations with faculty, administrators, and staff.
• Evaluate the performance of direct reports providing regular on-going feedback as well as professional development and mentorship.  Oversee general supervision of staff including approval of time off, addressing work performance issues, taking or recommending corrective actions as needed in consultation with the Director and Human Resources
• Determine eligibility for disability accommodations, assessing the interaction of the student’s disability with the academic environment, determining specific accommodations and other disability-related needs, review, interpret, and verify disability documentation from various professionals (physicians, psychologists, psychiatrist, neurologist, etc.) to determine appropriate accommodations for academic and non-academic accommodations.
• Manage a small caseload of students with complex disabilities and accommodation needs.
• Performs outreach to students, faculty, and staff, facilitate referrals and liaise with faculty and administrators, to implement approved accommodations.  
• In partnership with the Director develop and implement effective departmental onboarding program for new hires, ensure all staff have access to tools and information on University and ADA laws, guidelines, policies, and procedures. 
• Presents on behalf of Disability Services at workshops and seminars.  Represents Disability Services at new student orientation programs and disability awareness training sessions.
• Provide training and consultation to faculty and staff on best practices for working with students with disabilities, and disability awareness, reasonable accommodations, and other programs and services.

 Collaborative Partnership (20%) 

• Under the guidance of the Director, identify and clarify legal mandates that support university, programs, policies, and activities to ensure equal access for students and other members of the university community. 
• Collaborate with faculty on delivering academic adjustments, faculty responsibilities in the process, and resolve issues raised by faculty. Work in partnership with the Director to resolve disability and accommodation issues and resolve student grievances.
• Collaborate with the Director to update Disability Services documentation guidelines, assess the impact and effectiveness of programs and services, and use results to inform priorities and implement related action plans.
• Advise the Director on service usage and trending needs and recommend creative opportunities or need for (re)allocation of resources to meet student needs. Work closely with the Director on strategic departmental planning and development of guidelines and procedures for Disability Services.
• Consult with health care providers about documentation, as appropriate. 

Compliance and Regulatory Awareness (10%)

• Maintain professional expertise in matters pertaining to changing federal and state regulations and policies affecting persons with disabilities, including Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the American with Disabilities Act, including ADA standards and regulations and other disability-related civil rights laws and regulations.
• In partnership with the Disability Services leadership team, collaborate with students, faculty, staff, and administrators to raise awareness of issues related to ableism including Disability Awareness Month, educational outreach during faculty and new student orientation, and other outreach efforts.
• In partnership with the Disability Services leadership team, build awareness, knowledge, and skills related to disability as part of Columbia Health diversity and inclusion initiatives that involve disability, including serving as a content expert for Disability Services to ensure programs, resources, and services are inclusive of students with disabilities.

Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Counselor Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Special Education, or related field required.  
• Requires 5 years’ experience working directly with individuals with disabilities in a university or similar setting.
• Previous supervisory experience required. 
• Expertise in evaluating disability documentation, determining eligibility for services and accommodations, and generating a plan for the provision of services and accommodations, in collaboration with students, faculty, and staff. 
• Experience applying the Americans with Disability Amendment Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as they pertain to post-secondary institutions. 
• Strong written and oral communication skills with a demonstrated ability to interact effectively and diplomatically with high level administrators, faculty, parents, and other stakeholders. 
• Ability to successfully negotiate complex systems, analyze data and assess needs as well as address student needs and emergencies in an effective and timely manner.  
• Ability to handle high-volume workload, manages concurrent issues and multiple stakeholders. 
• Dedication to creating a collaborative and creative work environment.  
• Requires strong computer skills. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counselor Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Special Education or closely related field.
• Experience with disability accommodations and services for graduate and professional students in higher education.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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