Student Disability Services Specialist

POSITION DETAILS

The Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system, is a vibrant, pluralistic learning community committed to students' intellectual and personal growth. The College bridges the economic and educational opportunity gap for students, more than half of whom are the first in their families to attend college. Working to strengthen a culture of care inside and outside the classroom, we share a passion for learning with students from around the world. Strategically located in downtown Manhattan, the College is in close proximity to the artistic communities of Tribeca and SoHo, the dynamic downtown financial district, and the center of New York City government at City Hall. BMCC prides itself on the diversity of our students. We are an inclusive community that promotes an atmosphere of mutual respect for each member's ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, political preference, sexual orientation, gender identity, and national origin, among other personal characteristics. BMCC's motto speaks to this shared sense of purpose and possibility: Start Here, Go Anywhere. We strive to increase degree completion, successful transfer, career achievement, and service and leadership within our community, New York City, and beyond.

The Student Disability Services Specialist assists with the day-to-day operations of the office, providing support to ensure efficient and effective service delivery. The Specialist provides comprehensive support to students with disabilities by coordinating individualized accommodations and academic support services in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and institutional policies. Reporting to the Director of the Office of Accessibility, the Specialist serves as a key liaison and advisor to students, faculty, and staff, promoting equal access and advancing initiatives that foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment. This role also contributes to campus wide education and outreach efforts, collaborates with internal and external partners, supports departmental operations, and provides oversight of grant funded initiatives.

The successful candidate will:

• Assist with the daily operations of the Office of Accessibility by delivering timely, student focused services that support access, retention, and academic success.
• Review disability documentation, determine eligibility for accommodations, and conduct student intake meetings in compliance with ADA and Section 504 requirements.
• Coordinate academic accommodations and support services, including note-taking assistance, exam proctoring, testing accommodations, assistive technology, interpreting and transcription services, and the provision of readers and scribes.
• Maintain accurate and timely records, case notes, and documentation of all services and referrals in accordance with program requirements for reporting and evaluation.
• Collaborate with campus departments to provide targeted informational sessions on accessibility services and lead faculty and departmental orientations on accommodation protocols that support inclusive teaching practices.
• Assist with the coordination of the Perkins, REACH and other grants by supervising staff, completing required reports, and managing the hiring and training of part-time, grant funded staff.
• Support the management of the CUNY Unlimited, CUNY LEADS and other CUNY programs to ensure effective implementation and achievement of program goals.
• Support the implementation and ongoing use of systems such as CUNY Accommodate to streamline accommodation processes and reporting.
• Oversee the development, production, and distribution of Office of Accessibility communications and materials in both print and digital formats.
• Support college wide initiatives focused on improving student retention and academic persistence.
• Stay informed on disability laws, educational trends, and best practices in higher education accessibility; ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations; and collaborate with the Title IX office to support student advocacy initiatives.
• Contribute to the planning and implementation of major departmental and college wide events, including orientation, commencement, honors convocation, and other student focused initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree in Disability Studies, Social Work, Counseling and four year’s related experience required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in a diverse college or higher education setting preferred, with a background in coordinating and evaluating student support programs.
• Knowledge of disability services best practices, especially related to learning disabilities and autism spectrum conditions, with an emphasis on assessment and data-informed decision-making.
• Strong organizational, presentation, written, and verbal communication skills. Must be sensitive to the needs of students with disabilities and understand how to support them effectively in a college environment.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service in a fast-paced, deadline-driven setting.
• Understanding of the cultural, social, and educational needs of a diverse student population.
• Involvement in professional associations is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and related software required.

CUNY TITLE OVERVIEW

Assists with planning and providing a comprehensive program of services for students with disabilities.

• Assists with daily supervision of the unit, including budgets, personnel supervision, and facilities/equipment management
• Provides guidance and advisement to student organizations, administrators, faculty and others on concerns and issues related to students with special needs
• Interacts with counselors, disability accommodations specialists, and external community organizations to maintain a broad inventory of available services
• Presents programs and workshops, and prepares communications to students and others promoting the goals of the unit
• Organizes and provides for assistive technology and interpretive services
• May develop and/or review individual educational plans that incorporate individually designed academic support services and accommodations within the guidelines of the American with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Student Disability Services Specialist