Accommodation Specialist

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC's mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

• Serve as a primary contact for students with disabilities.
• Evaluate the needs of students with disabilities for educational access and accommodation and facilitate the delivery of the appropriate accommodations to meet student needs.
• Provide assistance with alternative testing accommodations and proctoring of Access Services students throughout the year (may include: midterm and final exam support, reading and scribing for exams, etc.)
• Provide coaching and support to foster independence and self-advocacy and ability to refer students to other support services such as tutoring, counseling, and advising.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, policies, and professional standards related to accommodations and maintain all necessary documentation.
• Recommend service providers, equipment, and instruction/support service methods for students requiring specialized or customized accommodations.
• Consult with staff, faculty, and community resource personnel concerning support in the best interest of students with disabilities with a view towards educational completion.
• Collaborate across a variety of campus departments and committees to provide disability awareness trainings for faculty, staff, and students.
• Functions as a resource for staff and faculty throughout the college by providing training, technical assistance, and guidance on how to proactively ensure equal access for students through academic accommodations.
• Takes a leadership role in developing programs and/or serving specific student populations. Develop intersectional services for specific student disability populations (for example: veterans, undocumented students, Native American Students, LGBTQ2S+, etc.)
• Maintain routine correspondence with students, accommodation providers, and staff.
• Attend conferences and meetings, in and out of state, appropriate to the function of the position.
• Serve as a representative on the Access Services Faculty and Staff Liaison Group.
• Facilitate front office operations as needed, e.g., greet visitors, respond to in-person and telephone inquiries, schedule testing or appointments, problem solve, assist with record keeping, and provide backup assistance to other staff, as needed.
• Assist the Director with budget activities, including monitoring all accounts, monthly reconciliation, ordering/purchasing, planning disability allocations, and coordinating ordering distribution and set-up.
• Maintain the Access Services Disability Services data base, Accessible Information Management (A.I.M.)in conjunction with ctcLink.
• Onboard and supervise part-time front desk employees, work-study students, and interns. Monitor productivity, timecards, and conduct quarterly evaluations.
• Assist the director in applying for Professional Development funds for office training, including creating funding requests and completing reimbursement documentation.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in social services, education, career counseling, business, communication, special education, or closely related field.
• 2 years of experience assessing the needs, evaluating and placement of individuals with disabilities in higher education.
• OR equivalent education and experience.

• Master's degree in social services, education, career counseling, business, communication, special education, or closely related field.
• Experience in reviewing medical, psychological, educational, and other appropriate documentation to determine students' eligibility for accommodations.
• Experience with Accessible Information Management (AIM) software.

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check.

• Experience providing academic advising and academic adjustments/ accommodations to students with disabilities, OR equivalent education/experience.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong computer skills to include working with databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.
• Knowledge and understanding of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA and other pertinent federal and state laws that provide for an accessible higher education experience for students with disabilities.
• Working knowledge of the different models of disability.
• Knowledge of universal design for people with disabilities.
• Sensitivity and competency in working with a diverse population.
• Ability to effectively work as a member of a team and to work collaboratively with others to advance the college towards the completion of shared goals.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of departmental and student records.
• Ability to promote and maintain a healthy and positive work environment with collegial and cooperative work relationships.
• Ability to work well in difficult, stressful, or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that minimize conflict with students, staff, faculty, and the public.
• Knowledge of assistive technology equipment, electronic information, alternate media formats, and software.
• An appreciation of diversity and the benefits of a commitment to cultural awareness and sensitivity in the workplace.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize a heavy workload.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct outreach and training regarding disability and disability access.
• Ability to communicate and relate well with diverse populations, students, faculty, staff, and the general public in a friendly, courteous, respectful and professional manner.
• Ability to represent the college effectively at all levels, both internally and externally.

Complete application packages must include the following:

1. Tacoma Community College online application form.
2. Resume and cover letter - In your cover letter, describe how your background and experience align with the responsibilities for this position.
3. Copies of unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
4. Diversity Statement: At TCC, we celebrate our diverse community, and we believe our people are our greatest asset. We stand for social justice, implement best practices to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion, and collaborate to dismantle systemic racism. Please attach a statement (maximum 750 words) describing how you've demonstrated your commitment to diversity and social justice and how this will inform your work in this position.