"Director of Disability Support Services"

Job Description

Position Summary

Located 45 minutes from the Nations Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has been twice named in the top 150 community colleges by the Aspen Institute with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among Americas top 100 producers of Minority associate degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education. CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break. We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.

The Director manages the office of Disability Support Services across all campus locations by providing leadership, planning and supervision for the disability support function. The Director hires, trains, and supervises professional and support staff. The individual in this position directs transition outreach activities on all campuses, collaborates with Division of Learning to conduct pre- semester information/in- service training sessions for faculty and staff regarding ADA policies and practices, and keeps abreast of all pertinent laws and regulations relating to ADAAA issues.

Reports to: Dean, Financial Assistance and Retention

The hiring salary for this position will be from the min to mid-point of the salary range advertised.This position is open until filled.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

70% Department Leadership

• Develop and recommend policy and procedures relating to Disability Support Services.
• Supervisor the DSS coordinator staff and the Administrative Assistant.
• Prepare and manage annual budget for the department for all three counties which includes five different cost centers.
• Diffuse and mediate difficult issues between students, faculty, staff, and parents.
• Conduct and participate in initial interviews to determine eligibility for services and help students with documented disabilities.
• Review and evaluate diagnostic documentation to determine eligibility for services.
• Advocate for the needs of students and the DSS department.
• Develop educational programs and present information to the college community on disability and accessibility related issues.
• Negotiate and review all contractual agreements for Interpreters, and other functions of the department that requires contractual agreements.
• Maintain a student caseload should need exist.
• Recommend short- and long-term strategic initiatives for ADA compliance and disabilities Support services.
• Review VPAT'S completion process to access product accessibility. Support the ADA Coordinator and collaborate with Procurement to ensure vendors are providing the necessary VPAT'S.

20% Regulatory Compliance / Reporting Requirements

• Ensure CSM'S policies and procedures align with all federal, state and all pertinent case laws, regulations and Dear Colleague letters relating to disability compliance.
• Keep abreast and provide expertise in the application of all relevant laws, case laws, agency guidance, and best practice in the field and provide training and college-wide communication as needed.
• Advise senior leadership on emerging issues, laws, regulatory changes, and requirements pertaining to Americans Disability Act.
• Coordinate effort and take necessary steps to ensure that college wide compliance requirements are implemented when identified.
• Provide external data to the college, State and Federal Government regarding individuals with disabilities.
• Provide Disability Data to state and federal government and departments as requested.

10% Collaboration with Internal / External Partnerships

• Ensure DSS efficiency in managing accommodations requests for students, faculty, and staff.
• Resolve issues and concerns dealing with reasonable accommodations campus wide.
• Member of the Collaboration, Assessment, Response and Evaluation (CARE) Team to address behavioral issues relating to students and provide input specifically for students with disabilities.
• Prepare department strategic / operating plans in alignment with the institutions strategic plan.
• Chair the ADA Taskforce and provide annual report with updates and recommendations to the President's Council on the college's compliance efforts.
• Work closely with the Calvert, Charles, and St. Marys Public-School systems as well as working with our Home School community to support the transition services for accommodations.

Additional Duties:

• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Training

• Masters degree required.
• Minimum of three years experience in higher education preferably Disability Support Services

Licenses, Certifications, or Additional Requirements:

• Financial disclosure required.

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of ADA and other laws addressing the rights of people with disabilities, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 29 U.S.C. § 794.
• Knowledge of diverse types of disabilities and appropriate post- secondary accommodations
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations pertaining to individuals with disabilities in higher education.
• Adept at developing procedures and executing protocols.
• Demonstrated success developing and maintaining public-private sector partnerships with local community partners.
• Evidence of strong leadership ability and customer service skills.
• Evidence of strong oral and written communication skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The work is sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment.

General Employment Information

The College of Southern Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Background Checks

The College of Southern Maryland conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the College's staff and students. The final candidate for this position will be subject to the following background checks: Criminal History Check and Sex Offender Registry Check.

Conflict of Interest policy

No College of Southern Maryland employee shall engage in or have a financial interest, directly or indirectly, in any activity that conflicts or raises a reasonable question of conflict with his or her duties and responsibilities. CSM Employees shall not at any time engage in any outside employment or independent consulting that would adversely affect their employment status or performance as employees at the college, create a conflict of interest, or, with the exception of constitutionally protected activities, would compromise or embarrass the college, or adversely affect professional standing. Any full-time college employee who also holds a full-time position or its equivalent in consulting elsewhere (whether permanent or seasonal) will be deemed to have a conflict of interest and will be asked to resign from one of the full-time positions. Full-time employees must promptly disclose in writing, on a form available from the Human Resources Office, to the college all other full-time employment or its equivalent in independent consulting.

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