Director of Disability Resource Center - University of MN - Crookston

About the Job

Position

Full time, twelve-month Disability Resource Center Director position at the Crookston campus of the University of Minnesota with a negotiable starting date of July 10, 2023-July 24, 2023, and with the option to work partially remote during the summer months. Anticipated salary range of $53,000-65,000, commensurate with educational qualifications and experience. A competitive fringe benefits package is offered.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, the Director of the Disability Resource Center (DDRC) provides direction and supervision for the Disability Resource Center and contributes to creating a vibrant campus community characterized by a strong commitment to equity, inclusion, and belonging for students with diverse identities with special focus to students with disabilities and learning differences. The DDRC provides leadership for the design, development, and implementation of disability services and programs for students. The Director works collaboratively with other campus constituents such as the Office of Residential Life and the Counseling Resource Center to ensure an accessible campus environment for students and campus visitors. The Director promotes an equitable and inclusive learning environment by facilitating reasonable and appropriate accommodations, reviewing and implementing ADA requirements and access for the physical campus, empowering students to become self-advocates, and educating the campus community. The Director provides supervision and training to professional staff and student workers within the Disability Resource Center.

Leadership & Administration (10%)

• Demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and belonging by creating and establishing practices that are appropriate for students' individual needs and identities.
• Demonstrate self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of meeting the needs of all students in a fair, caring, and non-discriminatory manner.
• Remain current and involved with comprehensive student affairs professional associations and emerging trends in the field.
• Supervise staff and foster their professional development, including growth in the area of equity and diversity.
• Hire, supervise, and train temporary staff to fill semester by semester needs including sign language interpreters and educational assistants, graduate interns from within the University of Minnesota System and neighboring universities, and student employees.
• Manage the budget of the Disability Resource Center, consulting with the Dean of Student Engagement and Wellness as needed.
• Consult with human resources professionals regarding disability-related issues in terms of recruitment, hiring, developing, and evaluating university employees.
• Develops and updates, as required, all written policies, procedures, and protocols guiding the work of the unit, ensuring policies are consistent with legal mandates related to disability in postsecondary education settings.
• Coordinate the fulfillment of the center's strategic plan and provide oversight for advancing the mission and vision of the department.
• Ensures that University-related information is readily available on services, accommodations, policies, and demographics relating to persons with disabilities.
• Ensures that appropriate processes are in place to provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of complaints and inquiries from University employees and students.

Disability Services (70%)

• Demonstrate self-awareness of one's own cultural beliefs, perspectives, and privileges as a part of meeting the needs of all students in a fair, caring, and non-discriminatory manner.
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating and establishing practices that are appropriate for students' individual needs and identities.
• Apply strong interpersonal techniques including active listening, empathetic responses, and questioning through in-person and virtual interactions to develop trusting relationships with students in order to promote their sense of belonging to campus.
• Critically apply various student development theories and advising practices to assess readiness and then appropriately challenge and support students with diverse assets, needs, backgrounds, and talents to make informed decisions about personal, academic, and career goals.
• Create and utilize a network of relationships with faculty, and student affairs educators to effectively deliver support services.
• Oversee the review of student documentation of disabilities, determination of reasonable accommodations, and concerns or petitions.
• Conduct intake and structured student interviews to determine the impact of limitations and develop a plan for reasonable and appropriate accommodations; conduct follow up meetings for students.
• Keep accurate, comprehensive, and up-to-date notes/records related to students.
• Review documentation and evaluative reports, evaluate eligibility for services, and prepare letters of accommodation.
• Organize reasonable accommodations, services and auxiliary aids for students.
• When necessary and appropriate, make determinations regarding provisional accommodations for students while they receive necessary evaluations and/or diagnoses required for the assignment of long-term accommodations.
• Monitor student progress in order to proactively and, when necessary, intrusively intervene, advocate, and recommend resources and solutions to academic difficulties and barriers student experience in policies and processes. Counsel students using independent judgment and problem-solving skills.
• Provide support services beyond the assignment of accommodations as appropriate for students with disabilities, including advising, advocating, referring to campus and regional resources.
• Engage in proactive problem-solving meetings with Disability Resource Center staff, faculty, student affairs educators, and staff to ensure that equitable access is being provided via the implementation of appropriate accommodations based on the needs of students.
• Participate on Campus Bias Response Team as needed when discussing students of concern or disability-related bias incidents.
• Provide oversight to ensure compliance with the ADA and other applicable state and federal laws and University accessibility standards.
• Provide leadership for the design, development, and implementation of disability services, programs, events, and trainings for students, faculty, student affairs educators, and staff.
• Collaborate with Admissions to register eligible new incoming students with the Disability Resource Center to facilitate accommodation needs.
• Establish relationships and serve as a resource to faculty and the greater campus community on issues related to a range of disability and accessibility issues.
• Maintain membership in campus committees, including the Academic and Wellness Care Team, as well as local and national groups related to the field of disability in higher education.
• Counsel University stakeholders on trends and best practices in disability services.
• Serves as a resource to the entire campus community, including individual faculty, in designing and delivering reasonable accommodations required by the law.

General Programming and Initiatives (20%)

• Participate in the planning and implementation of initiatives, workshops, orientations, and other programs.
• Offer new, creative, and innovative approaches and practices to deliver educational programs and support including the use of group modalities.
• Makes referrals to appropriate campus services or community agencies and assists students in assuming the role of self-advocates.
• Provide input on the development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of DRC systems and processes.
• Contribute toward program development and evaluation metrics.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of strategies to raise awareness of the Center's services to students.
• Act as a consultant to analyze project specifications to create universal design for the on-campus physical and both the on-campus and online instructional environments.
• Create community partnerships and present outreach workshops.
• Conducts ongoing evaluation to assess the effectiveness of services and satisfactory progress of students toward their academic goals.
• Develops and implements internal measures and/or reports which inform the university administration of the status of ADA compliance and opportunities for people with disabilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in student affairs, counseling, or a closely related area.
• Six years of related professional work experience in disability services, student affairs, or a closely related field.*
• Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competence, and achievement in working with diverse student populations.
• Strong knowledge of disability, access, and reasonable accommodation for program and physical access.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Proven ability to work collaboratively with faculty, student affairs educators, and students.
• Final job offer is contingent upon a completed background check, receipt of official college transcripts and authorization to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated commitment to the land-grant mission of the University of Minnesota Crookston, especially as related to access and student success.
• Master's degree in higher education, student affairs, counseling or a closely related field.
• Experience interpreting and applying the Americans with Disabilities Act and other access-related laws/policies.
• Six years of experience in higher education providing service to college students with diverse identities including first-generation college students; students of various racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds; students from low-income families; students from rural communities; LGBTQ students; and non-traditional adult learners.

*Note: This position is classified in a manner that requires the selected candidate to have 6 or more years of relevant experience. While 6 years of experience is desirable, UMN Crookston will consider additional classifications that require fewer years of experience for an otherwise qualified candidate who does not have 6 years of professional experience.

Benefits

Working at the University

At the University of Minnesota, you'll find a flexible work environment and supportive colleagues who are interested in lifelong learning. We prioritize work-life balance, allowing you to invest in the future of your career and in your life outside of work.

The University also offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Scholarship
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefits.

How To Apply

Application Procedure

Review of applications will begin June 16, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. Application materials will include a current resume or curriculum vita, a cover letter, and a list of 3-5 professional references. In addition to addressing the minimum and preferred qualifications, the cover letter must address indicators of the candidate's ability to promote equity and inclusion at a small campus in a rural context. Visit https://employment.umn.edu for complete instructions on how to apply electronically. Please include a copy of college transcripts. To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-UOHR (8647).

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

Please note: All employees at the University of Minnesota are required to comply with the University's Administrative Policy: COVID-19 Vaccination and Safety Protocol by either providing proof of being fully vaccinated on their first day of employment, or complete a request for an exemption for medical exemption or religious reasons. To learn more please visit: https://safe-campus.umn.edu/return-campus/get-the-vax

About the U of M

University of Minnesota, Crookston (UMC)

With a strong tradition of technology-enhanced teaching and learning, the University of Minnesota Crookston (UMC) serves as the U's major outpost in Northwest Minnesota. UMC provides both experiential, career-oriented degree programs as well as high-quality online programs, while connecting its teaching, research, and outreach to rural economic development and service to the region and beyond.