Job Description
The Accessibility Services Specialist is responsible for working with and coordinating accommodations for students and visitors who self-identify as having disabilities in compliance with college policy, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The Accessibility Services Specialist also provides academic supports to new and continuing students registered with the department, as well as serves as a consultant to the college community regarding…
accommodations/modifications needed for people with disabilities who utilize the campus and its programs.
The Accessibility Services Specialist is a full-time Professional Support Staff appointment on a schedule established by the Director of Accessibility Services. The position involves review/interpretation of confidential records and documents to determine the need for academic and other accommodations to ensure compliance under the ADA. The Accessibility Services Specialist must be able to work effectively with a diverse population, organize tasks, and demonstrate flexibility with a dynamic environment.
Applicants must submit:
- An online employment application
- Cover letter
- Resume or CV
For more information and to apply, visit the Parkland College Career Site.
Applications not submitted through https://www.parkland.edu/careers will not be considered.
Essential Job Functions
Student Accommodations
- Analyze psychoeducational, psychological, and case study reports to determine reasonable accommodations under the ADA.
- Advise a case load of students with disabilities on appropriate accommodations, strategies for success in the college environment, working with instructors, and campus and community supports.
- Facilitate and provide disability-related accommodations and services for all college programs including degree and certificate programs, individual classes, Adult Education, Early College, Community Education, and summer camps and community events such as art gallery, planetarium, commencement, and sports events.
- Implement reasonable accommodations under the ADA.
Remediation of concerns
- Problem-solve and mediate between faculty and student to resolve complaints.
- Work with vendors to obtain accessibility materials and auxiliary aids.
Office responsibilities
- Hire and supervise hourly staff including but not limited to sign language interpreters, CART providers, lab aides to work in the classroom with students' office assistants, and student workers.
- Train staff.
- Assist in office operations when needed such as covering front desk needs.
Accessibility enhancements
- Maintain a working knowledge of current disability law and best practices by participating in continuing education opportunities, staying abreast of ADA updates and monitoring Office of Civil Rights and other offices.
- Coordinate the research and implementation of emerging assistive technology on an ongoing basis through collaborations with Campus Technologies and Professional Development and Instructional Technology departments.
Community responsibilities
- Assess the needs of visitors who self-identify to provide access to facilities and programs.
- Administer placement tests and interpret placement scores for new students.
- Administer state board exams for participants needing accommodations.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
- Master's degree in social work, clinical psychology, counseling, special education, public health, disability studies, or other fields that provide training in accessibility, disability services, or inclusive practice; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One (1) year of demonstrated experience working with students with disabilities.
- Prospective new hires will successfully complete a post offer, pre-employment criminal background check with fingerprinting. The background check review includes, but is not limited to, exclusionary offenses per the Illinois School Code and Title IV of the Higher Education Act.
- Working knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Americans with Disabilities Act and all other legislation, including accessibility standards and guidelines (such as WCAG, Section 508).
- Proficiency in current computer technologies and the ability to learn new systems as technology changes.
- Excellent organizational and communication skills as demonstrated by an activity if interviewed.
- In an effort to comply with SURS return-to-work restrictions for employers (40 ILCS 5/15-139.5), candidates for employment at Parkland College must either not be a SURS annuitant or must be willing to suspend his/her SURS annuity upon employment. This applies to all SURS annuitants except those receiving their annuity under either the Self-Managed Plan (SMP) or by lump sum payment.
Robust benefits, including medical insurance with no monthly premiums, dental, life, disability, retirement plans, flexible spending, dependent care, EAP, work/life balance with generous paid time off, and tuition waiver. More information on the benefits package may be found online at our Benefits page.
Please monitor your email, including spam or junk mail folders, for future correspondence from Parkland College Human Resources.
For further information on the application process, please contact Parkland College Human Resources at 217-351-2220.
Applicants with disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process.
Requests may be submitted by contacting Human Resources at 217-351-2220 or by emailing hr@parkland.edu.
Sponsorship for work authorization is not available for this position. Parkland College is not an E-Verify employer.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position; however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
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