"Access Counselor"

Position Details

Position Information

• Job TitleAccess CounselorDepartmentAccessible Education ServicesJob CodeA40309Job categoryFull Time StaffTerms and HoursFull Time ExemptSalary RangeStarting salary $50,000, commensurate with experienceJob SummaryThis position supports the work of Accessible Education Services (AES) in fostering the full and meaningful inclusion of students with disabilities at the University of Portland. Specifically, this position implements University policies and practices to determine and provide reasonable accommodations, assists students in effectively utilizing their AES accommodations in order to achieve equitable access to University programs and activities, and assesses service efficacy. This position works closely with students, faculty, and staff across campus to improve campus accessibility through programs and services that reframe disability and promote inclusive design.Core DutiesExplain AES services and procedures to incoming students and parents via intake appointments, phone inquiries, email communications, and orientation programs; facilitate referrals to academic, informational, and co-curricular resources, including collaboration with University departments (e.g., school and college advising resources, Campus Safety, Office of Residence Life, etc.).
• Develop collaborative working relationships with parents and family members of AES-registered students, including responding to inquiries from family members regarding AES resources and student well-being, consistent with all legal and University requirements (including FERPA), and referring inquiries to other departments as appropriate.
• Engage in interactive process with students to discuss access needs and concerns, including matters such as accommodation management, barriers to full participation in the curricular and co-curricular environments, problem-solving individual situations, and navigating and referral to University resources.
• Implement AES procedures, including review of disability documentation, in order to facilitate AES accommodation plans and accessibility planning for students with disabilities.
• Analyze the relationship between learning outcomes (essential requirements), pertinent case law, institution mission, and the needs of individual students with disabilities to determine appropriate actions or outcomes; in consultation with Associate Director of AES, Dean’s designees and or Provost’s Office.
• Confer with and advise students, faculty and staff in complicated or difficult situations, providing technical advice, problem-solving assistance, program goals clarification, and procedural guidance.
• Support students in learning effective strategies for managing their academic, accommodation and disability-related responsibilities to maximize self-efficacy.
• Monitor academic progress of student caseload through outreach, intervention and retention strategies.
• Provide AES consultation to University Care Team (Early Alert) and BITA Team; through outreach to AES-registered students with potential accommodation support needs; communicate with Care Team members within AES confidentiality parameters via Maxient database.
• Provide education and information on a case specific basis to all parties involved in the accommodation implementation process.
• Train students regarding the use of assistive technology and facilitate distribution of AES-owned assistive technology and equipment.
• Consult with faculty and staff on universal design, social construction of disability, and intersections of disability with campus environments to support broader campus accessibility for students and minimize the need for individual accommodations.
• Manage and facilitate workshops to support AES-registered students in effective accommodation management and related academic strategies.
• Work independently and exercise discretion in all areas of responsibility; seek appropriate consultation with supervisor and/or colleagues regarding complex or difficult situations.
• Document communications, actions, and accommodations.
• Develop analyses and reports as appropriate or requested. Assist with department assessments as appropriate or requested.
• Assist Associate Director of AES in development, interpretation, and administration of department goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, including strategic planning pertaining to students.
• Learn, understand, and update information needed to respond to basic inquiries of students in areas related to: residence life, financial aid, student accounts, student life, registrar, and other areas as necessary and appropriate.
• Keep abreast of national, state and local disability-related issues.
• Participate in professional development activities as necessary and appropriate. Represent the University, Shepard Academic Resource Center, and AES at professional association conferences and professional development workshops as appropriate or necessary.
• Participate in campus events, as well as programs and workshops regarding Accessible Education Services.
• Participate on campus committees as assigned.

Other duties as relevant to the duties of the position or as assigned by supervisor or supervisor’s designee.

Please note that the above list of duties is not comprehensive but generally demonstrates the types of matters under this position’s purview and responsibility.

• Education & ExperienceRequired: relevant master’s degree (relevant fields of study include, but are not limited to, higher education administration, disability studies, counseling/rehabilitation counseling, sociology, and psychology).
• Required: one year of professional experience working in higher education disability services (may include supervised graduate internship experience) OR two years of professional experience working in related fields 
• Required: Demonstrated professional knowledge and application of confidentiality requirements pertaining to student information in higher education (FERPA).
• Preferred: Demonstrated professional knowledge and application of confidentiality requirements and best practices for disability services in higher education and related professional ethics.
• Preferred: Training/experience in working with students who experience learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, post-concussion/head injury, chronic health conditions, and mental health conditions (e.g., generalized anxiety disorder, depression, autism spectrum disorder, etc.).
• Preferred: Experience teaching others to use assistive technology and applying creative solutions for technology applications around access and course design.
• Preferred: Experience with database management systems including Banner, Argos, Etrieve, and Maxient.
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.
• Certifications & LicensesNone
• Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesKnowledge of applicable federal and state laws, guidelines, and regulations that provide for the full and meaningful inclusion of students with disabilities in all University environments.
• Knowledgeable of the Americans with Disabilities Act as amended (ADAAA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as applied to higher education.
• Ability to interpret and integrate information from student interviews and psycho-educational and other diagnostic assessments to determine appropriate accommodative services.
• Excellent customer service, interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships, professional rapport, and effectively accomplish work within a university setting that includes a wide array of policies, processes, individuals, and groups.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and effectively handle highly sensitive and confidential information within applicable laws with sound judgment, tact, and discretion.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, accuracy and timeliness.
• Excellent analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to independently exercise judgment and expertise to support University staff and faculty in facilitating the University’s commitment inclusive and accessible learning and living environments for all students.
• Ability to routinely and independently exercise sound judgment in complex problem-solving and ethical decision-making as well as seeking consultation with supervisor proactively with difficult situations.
• Understanding of Universal Design and Social Construction of Disability.
• Current working knowledge of Assistive Technology in Disability Access and Services, including a broad range of software, devices, and solutions for academic adjustment and accommodation.
• Strong orientation towards taking initiative and ownership of projects and assignments and being proactive with projects, assignments, quality, professional development, and process development and improvements.
• Ability to prioritize and multi‐task in a high‐volume, open‐access team environment that includes regular disruptions, while meeting deadlines, maintaining a positive outlook and effective productivity.
• Demonstrated competence and commitment to diversity and inclusion, and ability to be an effective partner with diverse students, faculty, and staff.
• Physical RequirementsFrequently: sit, perform desk-based computer tasks; use fine manipulation and grasp; use a telephone; write by hand; sort and file paperwork.
• Occasionally: stand and walk; twist; lift, carry, push, and pull objects that weigh up to 10 pounds.
• Occasionally: ability to attend events and activities on or off campus.
• Frequently: ability to interact and communicate with members of the University and others as necessary.
• Working ConditionsHours of employment: sometimes may require working flexible and/or longer hours, including early mornings, evenings, nights, weekends, and/or holidays when necessitated by projects.
• Work-related stress: sometimes there may be stress from work-related situations such as those involving challenging, important, urgent, time-sensitive, or multiple matters.
• Work StandardsRespect for the University’s mission and Catholic identity: demonstrates commitment to learning, respecting, and contributing to the mission of the University, a Catholic and Congregation of Holy Cross institution. The University’s mission statement states in relevant part: “we pursue teaching and learning, faith and formation, service and leadership in the classroom, residence halls, and the world.”
• The full Mission Statement is at: www.up.edu/about/mission.
• The University’s Statement of Inclusion states in relevant part: “Our belief in the inherent dignity of each person is founded upon the social teaching of the Catholic Church. At the center of that teaching is the fundamental mandate that every person, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, social or economic class, age, or disability shall be treated with respect and dignity.”
• The full Statement of Inclusion is at: www.up.edu/disclosures/inclusion.
• Promote culture of safety: demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Compliance with laws and policies and procedures: subject to and expected to comply with all applicable laws and University, departmental, and other applicable policies and procedures, including but not limited to, the personnel, business, and/or other policies of the University.
• Compliance with driving-related laws and requirements: when conducting University business while driving, must comply with the Oregon Vehicle Code and University of Portland driving requirements.
• Interpersonal skills: demonstrates the ability to work professionally with all University of Portland community members, external organizations, and any other person or organization employee interacts with in his or her University capacity.

BenefitsMedical and dental insurance, life insurance, sick time and vacation time consistent with University policies, long-term disability insurance, flexible spending account benefits, tuition remission benefits generally starting after 90 days (employee) or 2 years (spouse and children) of employment, retirement contributions generally starting after 2 years of employment, and eligibility for the University’s home purchase assistance program consistent with program requirements. (Benefits are subject to all relevant University policies, practices, contracts, and any other relevant materials.)

Posting Detail Information

Posting NumberS144-2023Number of Vacancies1Estimated Start DateOpen Date05/13/2024Close DateOpen Until FilledNoSpecial Instructions Summary

Required Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * The University of Portland is a small, independently governed, Catholic, comprehensive university. What about this position and what about working at the University of Portland interests you?
2. (Open Ended Question)
3. * What are your areas of work-related strength? What are work-related areas that you would like to improve?
4. (Open Ended Question)
5. * If you were selected for this position, how would you use your skills and experience to contribute to supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position at the University of Portland?
6. (Open Ended Question)