"Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor (4560U), Disabled Students Program - 83811"

About Berkeley

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Disabled Students' Program (DSP) provides a wide array of legally mandated services to students with disabilities and consists of approximately 41 FTE, serves over 5,600 students, and hires over 400 service providers and student volunteers to provide educational support to this growing population. DSP also has responsibility for fiscally managing a Department of Education TRIO Student Support Services federal grant and oversees the Disability Cultural Community Center. The Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor works in a challenging and complex environment where DSP's services to students are legally mandated by federal and state law and therefore must be provided even as the student need for these services increases each year.

Position Summary

The Lead Disability Specialist and Supervisor position primarily focuses on supervising professional career staff, staff development, and the planning, coordination, and implementation of services and processes that ensure students with disabilities have equitable access to the academic and campus environment in compliance with federal and state disability law.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 02/05/2026.

Responsibilities

Supervision, Leadership, and Unit Oversight

• Provides direct supervision, mentorship, and professional development to a team of Disability Specialists.
• Oversees workload distribution, performance evaluations, and supporting staff in meeting expectations related to case management, service quality, timeliness, and professional conduct.
• Oversees and leads the recruitment and hiring efforts for the DSP Disability Specialist unit.
• Leads internal training and onboarding for new and continuing Disability Specialists to ensure consistency in practices, procedures, legal compliance, and evolving campus standards.
• Identifies training needs and collaborates with the DSP Senior Policy Analyst to design or coordinate learning opportunities to support team growth and service quality.
• Responds to and resolves student and faculty complaints, escalating complex matters to DSP leadership as needed.
• Collaborates with DSP managers and auxiliary services (Alternative Media, Communications Access, Note Taking, and Proctoring) to ensure coordinated service delivery.
• Partners with academic departments and faculty to address accommodation challenges and continuously works towards a consistent campus-wide approach to disability compliance and support.
• Works closely with the DSP Business Admin team and demonstrates understanding of campus processes and guidelines related to HR, recruitment, purchasing, facilities, and other operational needs that align with university policy and smooth day-to-day operations.
• Leads case review meetings, contributes to policy development, and helps shape strategic planning efforts for the specialist unit.

Strategic Partnerships and Campus Collaboration

• Serves as a key liaison with academic departments, deans' offices, and student affairs.
• Responds promptly to sensitive or high-level faculty complaints regarding accommodations.
• Represents DSP in campus initiatives, particularly those involving academic access, student experience, or instructional access.
• Collaborates with the DSP Senior Policy Analyst to deliver or coordinate campus-wide training efforts that promote awareness of disability, accessibility, and inclusive teaching practices in higher education.

Systems Leadership and Process Improvement

• Oversees the integration and functionality of case management systems (e.g., AIM) for the specialist unit.
• Provides leadership on system-related needs in partnership with the Auxiliary Services units, helping shape improvements and enhance staff efficiency and student support.

Caseload Management/Other Duties as Assigned

• Maintains a small caseload of students with complex or high-stakes accommodation needs.
• Provides consultation on escalated student cases brought forward by Disability Specialists, Auxiliary Services supervisors, or DSP management.
• Ensures the consistent application of accommodation policies across the team. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• A minimum of 3-5 years of direct experience supervising career/professional/represented staff in a service-oriented, compliance-driven environment.
• Demonstrated ability to manage conflict, address performance concerns, and lead team change management efforts.
• Demonstrated ability to interface with faculty and campus leadership around sensitive, high-stakes accessibility issues and concerns.
• Demonstrated success in working closely with departmental managers, unit supervisors, and administrative leads to support coordinated service delivery, resolve operational issues, and implement programmatic improvements.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively across the organization at all levels.
• Experience in mediating, managing, and resolving conflicts and employing open and clear decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated proficiency and political acumen in working with a broad range of students, faculty, staff, senior administrators, and community leaders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem identification, sound judgment, transparent decision making, critical thinking, and creative problem solving.
• Excellent organizational skills and demonstrated ability to manage competing time and resource demands.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaborate with individuals and groups from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes collaboration and mutual respect among all members of the UC Berkeley community and its stakeholders.
• Must demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with and understand individuals from varied academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Master's degree or higher in education, rehabilitation counseling, psychology, social work, or a related field with a strong focus on disability, student affairs, or higher education. A combination of advanced education and relevant experience in disability services within postsecondary settings may also be considered and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional experience working directly with students with disabilities as an accommodations specialist in a university setting.
• Advanced knowledge and content experience in disability documentation, academic accommodations and adjustments, auxiliary services, and student service delivery.
• Thorough knowledge of the legal framework involving accommodations for students with disabilities through state and federal laws and regulations, and the determination of accommodations, within the current legal framework.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $82,800.00 - $112,900.00.

• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.