Experiential Learning Access Specialist

Advertising Summary:

Unit: Student Affairs (Vice Provost) MBU

Department: Student Accessibility & Edu Opportu

Department Summary: Who We Are
Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO) is the designated office on VCU's Monroe Park Campus that fosters an environment where all students have equal access to the University's programs, services, and activities.

Our Mission
Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity champions holistic student development and success by creating a campus culture that strives to ensure equal access and inclusion.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The Experiential Learning Access Specialist provides advanced case management and specialized accommodation coordination for students with disabilities in complex academic and applied learning environments. This includes graduate students as well as students engaged in internships, clinical placements, fieldwork, study abroad, and performance- or studio-based disciplines where accommodation implementation requires individualized interpretation across variable settings.

This role focuses on high-complexity cases and non-traditional learning environments requiring professional judgment, cross-functional coordination, and implementation of accommodations across both academic and external placement contexts.

Some graduate student cohorts are included within this caseload due to the increased complexity, independence expectations, and variability of instructional and experiential structures often associated with graduate-level study.

Duties and Responsibilities

General Case Management (50%)

• Review medical, psychological, educational, and other documentation to determine eligibility for accommodations.
• Conduct intake interviews to identify disability-related barriers in academic and experiential settings.
• Provide guidance to students on initiating and maintaining services, including accommodation requests, communication with faculty/field supervisors, and placement- specific processes.
• Serve as a resource for faculty, staff, advisors, and field placement personnel on accessibility and disability-related concerns.
• Maintain comprehensive records of student interactions, accommodation decisions, and communications.
• Input case notes and documentation into the SAEO database system.

Graduate and Experiential Learning Accommodation Coordination (40%)

• Coordinate accommodations for students participating in graduate programs, internships, clinical placements, practicums, fieldwork and community-based learning, study abroad, co-curricular experiences, and other applied learning environments.
• Exercise professional judgment in the interpretation and implementation of accommodations across academic and experiential learning environments.
• Work with academic programs to identify essential requirements and determine reasonable accommodations in applied learning contexts.
• Support departments in understanding and implementing accommodations in compliance with ADA and Section 504.
• Address complex accommodation scenarios requiring individualized application of policy in non-traditional learning environments.
• Support students in navigating disability-related barriers unique to applied learning environments, including communication, scheduling, access needs, and professional expectations.
• Serve as a consultative resource for faculty and academic programs regarding accommodations in experiential learning environments.
• Support training and outreach related to disability access in applied learning contexts.

Office Support & Campus Engagement (10%)

• Assist with SAEO workshops, trainings, and events for students, faculty, and campus partners, with emphasis on graduate programs and experiential learning.
• Provide occasional support to the Testing Access Center (e.g., proctoring, reading, scribing, finals support).
• Serve on university committees as assigned.
• Represent SAEO at campus events, including occasional evening or weekend commitments.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director or Supervisor.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 2+ years of experience working with students with disabilities in higher education.
• Experience supporting students in experiential, clinical, creative, or other applied learning environments.
• Experience applying and implementing disability accommodations in academic and/or applied learning environments.
• Working knowledge of ADA, Section 504, and accommodation processes.
• Experience reviewing documentation and determining reasonable accommodations.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment in implementing accommodations in complex environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related field (strongly preferred).
• 3+ years of experience in higher education disability services.
• Experience coordinating accommodations in experiential learning environments (e.g., internships, clinical placements, practicums, fieldwork, studio or performance-based courses).
• Experience supporting students with complex or intersecting disability-related needs.
• Experience supporting accommodations involving adjustments to participation, scheduling, and learning environments.
• Experience with complex applied learning placements (e.g., social work, education, clinical psychology, arts-based programs).
• Experience providing consultation, training, or guidance to faculty, staff, or external partners on disability accommodations and access practices.

Salary Range: $55,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: No

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite

University Job Title: 35221N - Specialist SS 1

State Role Code: 29133