Specialist, Disability Services

Position Title:

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Manager of Disability Services, the Disability Specialist assists the Manager with providing accommodations and other disability related services to Joliet Junior College students and the District 525 community under Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008. The Disability Specialist must value diversity and inclusion to support the mission of the college, and promote a climate of mutual respect and full participation by providing an accessible experience for all students, staff, faculty, and community members. The Disability Specialist must be able to support the primary functions of the department including (1) ADA/504/508 compliance across the college, (2) intakes, (3) academic advising, (4) accommodation support, (5) ADA/504/508 transition, academic and retention support, (6) outreach, and (7) ADA mediations, interventions, and training.

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Professionally represent Joliet Junior College and uphold the College's core values: respect, inclusion, integrity, collaboration, humor, well-being, innovation, quality, and sustainability.
2. Review and understand clinical and disability documentation which may include complex neuro-psych-educational, psych-educational assessment evaluations, IEP's, 504's, and other medical documentation.
3. Conduct interactive interviews to determine reasonable accommodations to facilitate equal access without impacting academic standards mandated by the American Disabilities Act/504/508.
4. Provide comprehensive academic coaching, onboarding support, navigating college finances, and transition support to students registered with Disability Services.
5. Assist with accommodations and train students to use assistive technologies.
6. Collaborate with other departments throughout Joliet Junior College to ensure all college personnel are providing students with disabilities their rights in accordance with ADA/504/508.
7. Participate in regular professional development to ensure the college remains in compliance, as laws change the rights students with disabilities are afforded.
8. Support the retention efforts of the college.
9. Provide regular coaching for students with disabilities focusing on academic, social, emotional, and career needs throughout their career at Joliet Junior College.
10. Facilitate accommodation needs by working collaboratively with students, faculty, administration, and staff across the entire college and all campuses.
11. Partner with outside agencies and medical teams to determine action plans that support student success.
12. Provide outreach to promote awareness of Disability Services and create training materials necessary for administration, faculty, and staff to support accommodations and assistive technology.
13. Develop, implement, and maintain programming that supports student success based on the needs of current student caseloads.
14. Assist with the conversion of printed materials into alternate formats including but not limited to brailed materials, text-reading software, enlarged materials, etc.
15. Collaborate with the Testing Services to arrange test accommodations for students registered with Disability Services.
16. Prepare and organize various reports, survey results, records, and files.
17. Provide excellent student support by building rapport, listening attentively, defusing escalated concerns, confirming understanding, and connecting students with appropriate follow-up services.
18. Mandated to keep extensive notes on student cases to track student success, ADA/504/508 processes and communications with student stakeholders.
19. Document complaints, inquiries, and other concerns, and propose solutions to promote a culture of continuous quality improvement.
20. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. Bachelor's Degree
2. Identifiable experience working with individuals with disabilities or working for an agency that serves individuals with disabilities.
3. Basic knowledge of Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.
4. Basic understanding of transition issues for students exiting K-12 Special Education.
5. Ability to travel between multiple campuses and work flexible hours to meet the needs of the department.
6. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with other members of the college and community, displaying cultural competence as well as emotional intelligence.
7. Demonstrated commitment to the college's core values of respect and inclusion, sustainability, integrity, collaboration, humor and well-being, innovation, and quality.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION
1. Master's Degree, Assistive Technology Certification, or Bachelor Degree with course work in pedagogy, sociology, or disability studies.
2. Three (3) years of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
3. Comprehensive knowledge of Section 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the ADA Amendments Act of 2008.
4. Comprehensive understanding of transition issues for students exiting K-12 Special Education.
5. English and Spanish verbal and written communication proficiency.
6. Demonstrated multicultural competence.

Disability Services Hours of Operation
* Monday-Thursday: 8:00am - 6:00pm
* Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm

Internal candidates must adhere to the terms of employment regarding length of time in current position as outlined in their union contract.

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Union (If Applicable):

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