Accommodations Specialist

Description

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. 

 

At Pacific University we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, and  Eugene. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, acquire and share knowledge.

 

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Accommodations Specialist supports the office of Accessibility and Accommodations to ensure equal access to education for Pacific University students with disabilities as required by federal and state law. The Coordinator is primarily responsible for coordinating alternative test arrangements and other assistive methods for accessibility, collaborating with faculty and other campus partners to ensure effective implementation. This role provides administrative support to department functions, assists students and their families with office processes, and promotes accessibility across the university through education and consultation.

 

• Application Deadline: Candidates are encouraged to apply by Tuesday, January 21 at 5 PM. The position will remain open until filled. See application requirements below.
• Annual Salary Range: $43,000-$45,500, depending on experience.

 

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Exam Accommodations

• Serve as primary contact for testing accommodations for students who need extended time, separate testing space, or alternate testing formats
• Manages daily operations of testing rooms on the Forest Grove and Hillsboro campuses with a focus on academic integrity, including student employee supervision, test administration, and maintenance of confidential materials
• Maintain electronic database of test schedules via effective use of department software in multiple locations, assigning proctors and testing spaces, delivery and return of testing materials. Communicate with instructors, students, and proctors to confirm accurate test dates, times, and special testing requirements
• Collaborate with OAA Team and campus partners, student employees, and campus partners to help facilitate exams
• Administer and proctor all testing according to OAA policies and procedures, paying close attention to prevent academic dishonesty
• Maintain confidentiality and security of all testing materials

 

 

Other Accommodations

• Oversee arrangements for note takers, interpreters, CART services, ASL interpreters,  alternative furniture for classroom accommodations, enterprise software, adaptive technologies, alternative formatting clearinghouses and services, auxiliary aids, and other accessibility features of University-wide technologies
• Support implementing alternative documents, acquiring accessible textbooks and other materials, scanning materials, assisting faculty with accessibility questions, and other related tasks regarding accommodations

 

 

Client Support and Recordkeeping

• Communicate and assist students and families getting registered with OAA, education around disability documentation standards and eligibility for accommodations, and department processes
• Track student requests and documentation; maintain accurate case management of student records in office software, including meeting notes and communications
• Provide consultation and training regarding disabilities, accommodations, accessibility to students, faculty, and staff
• Archive files according to established protocols

 

 

Student employee training and supervision

• Primary responsibility to hire, train, supervise, and schedule student employees to support department functions
• Manage student timecards and track student and department work study allotments

 

 

Department Support

• Maintain and develop department webpages and publications, including but not limited to forms and policies, informational brochures, and presentations
• Provide front desk customer service, department inbox, answer phone calls, make appointments, write correspondence
• Maintain functional levels of office supplies and office equipment
• Attend separate, regular meetings with Director, student employees, and Student Life Division
• Assist the Director and Assistant Director as needed
• Support ongoing departmental assessment efforts
• Represent the department at university events, including giving presentations

 

 

SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:

• Participate in ongoing continuing education opportunities to contribute to the growth and development of the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations
• Maintain currency on theory and trends on disability-related issues including legal developments and technology for equal access
• Occasional weekday evenings or weekend hours required during mid-term or final exam periods
• Actively seek out and identify innovative ways to improve department functions and student experiences
• Listen for, respond empathetically, and initiate referral and documentation for follow-up on occasions when students present for testing with high distress or with other concerns that impede their testing or receipt of their other accommodations.
• Provide summary reporting and information as requested
• Contribute to strategic planning, training of staff, and professional development of the Division of Student Affairs                                                                   
• Serve on University and Divisional committees, task forces, and hiring committees, as needed
• Perform other related duties as assigned

                                                                               

Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Experience working with confidential materials
• Demonstrated ability to work in a technology-enhanced environment, including email, spreadsheets, database, and web site technologies
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment, strong organizational skills, time management, demonstrates active listening, and responds with sound judgment and ethics as it pertains to student, faculty, and staff

 

 

PREFERRED CRITERIA:

• Experience working in a higher education setting
• 2 years of prior professional experience working with college-age individuals with disabilities, preferably in an accessibility office setting in a college or university
• Advising, case management, counseling, and/or programming in higher education or a comparable setting with a comparable population of individuals with disabilities
• Familiarity with university disability services and accommodations
• Previous supervisory experience 
• Experience working with and protecting confidential records
• Experience working with federal laws regarding postsecondary education and disabilities, including ADA and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Ability to manage crisis situations and/or training in conflict-resolution and de-escalation techniques

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS:

• Demonstrated commitment to and experience in working effectively with marginalized communities including individuals with disabilities.
• Very reliable and on-time attendance with advance notice of expected absences.
• Problem solve in a high pressure environment. Ability to remain calm in difficult situations
• Reasonable flexibility for changing daily schedules.
• Demonstrated ability to manage sensitive information with integrity and honesty.
• Keen attention to detail, ability to follow strict protocols without deviation.
• Ability to prioritize and perform multiple projects, track data, meet timelines, respond to others in a timely manner.
• Ability to work both independently and as a collaborative member of the University with a high standard of integrity and ethics, in support of the University’s strategic vision and the division’s annual goals.
• Evidence of skill in being able to build and sustain collaborative relationships with interdisciplinary colleagues and students of diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to write in a clear and concise manner with few spelling or grammar errors.
• Maintains appearance and personal conduct appropriate to a professional office setting.

 

 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES & BEHAVIORS:

• Communicates with students, faculty, staff and the public appropriate to the age of the individual served.
• Builds on basic learning and carries it from one situation to another.
• Demonstrates critical thinking skills in problem solving and decision-making.
• Asks questions and seeks assistance.
• Takes responsibility to eliminate the source of problems.
• Demonstrates confidentiality regarding information pertaining to all students, faculty and staff.
• Maintains proper appearance and personal conduct for the employee’s particular job.
• Uses effective communication skills taking into consideration body language, filters, listening, paraphrasing, and questions with customers of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrates ability to work in a team environment.

 

 

JOB SCOPE:

• This position is an in-person position (not remote), located on the Hillsboro and Forest Grove campuses, with travel between campuses regularly required.
• Performs duties independently with minimal supervision, operating from specific and definite directions and instructions.
• Decisions are made within OAA policy and constraints, but occasionally require independent decision-making.
• No budget authority.
• Oversight of special projects on occasion in collaboration with colleagues within the Office of Accessibility and Accommodations and other on-campus colleagues.
• Complies with laws, rules, and ethical standards applicable to duties.

 

 

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:

• This position supervises student workers

 

 

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Typical office environment.
• Occasional evening and occasional weekend hours required 
• Ability to travel between campuses regularly

 

 

APPLICATION:

Please upload application materials along with your application. Your application should include a cover letter that addresses your fit for the position, a resume, and names and contact information for three (3) professional references. Hiring committee will start reviewing applications immediately and will continue to review them on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
 

 

Position start date: as soon as possible. If additional questions arise, please contact Victoria Bartunek, victoria.bartunek@pacificu.edu.

 

 

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by email. The hiring process normally consists of two interviews. All applicants will be notified once the position is filled. 

 

Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, successful criminal background check.

 

 

At Pacific University we are dedicated to providing experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. We continue to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

 

For qualifying employees, our benefits include generous paid time off for vacation, holidays (including winter break) and sick leave. We offer medical coverage with alternative care (in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction), comprehensive dental, vision plans, 9% contribution to retirement after one year of service with no match required, free mental health appointments, and tuition remission for employees and their dependents. We cover employer paid life, short term disability, and long term disability insurance. On campus benefits include free access to our sports facility and library, with discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and gear rentals through our outdoor program (kayaks, snow shoes, bikes and more).

 

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

 

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

 

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, provost@pacificu.edu.

 

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by telephone or email.  The hiring process normally consists of several interviews and can last several weeks depending on the position.  All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.  Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

Salary : $43,000 - $45,500