Careers

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: Commensurate with experience

Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director, Disability Services, this position is responsible for the oversight and delivery of accommodations and services for students with disabilities, including academic accommodations, sign-language interpreting services, and housing accommodations for a caseload of students with disabilities enrolled at the schools on the Morningside Schools. The Morningside schools are Columbia College, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Business School, Journalism School, Law School, School of International and Public Affairs, General Studies, School of Professional Studies, School of Social Work, School of the Arts, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. This position will serve as a primary resource to educate, train, and guide departments and faculty in understanding disability access, rights and responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage reasonable accommodations and support services for students with disabilities. Evaluate all documentation received and obtain additional information when necessary.  Facilitate discussions with appropriate university officials to determine the reasonableness of an accommodation and provide feedback regarding recommendations.  Conduct follow-up with students to determine effectiveness of action taken.  Ensure that criteria and procedures for assessing accommodations are clearly identified and disseminated.  Assist students in understanding their disabilities as well as their rights and responsibilities related to reasonable accommodations; provide support and problem solving assistance.

• Manage active caseload of students with disabilities and develop a case management system that supports accurate record keeping for each student including: relevant information related to eligibility, provision of services, and basis for accommodation decisions and recommendations. Primary responsibility will be for Morningside students; however, some CUIMC students may be assigned.

• Develop plans for individual students??? academic and/or personal accommodations in concert with other advisors as needed.  Advise students about the registration process, and make recommendations for accommodations and support services.  Compile reports and analyze data regarding students registered with Disability Services and accommodations data for Morningside students, faculty, staff, and visitors--data elements include utilization, efficiency and cost.   

• Provide consultation relevant to disability issues.  Serve as a liaison to other University departments and divisions to coordinate services for students with disabilities.  Interface regularly with faculty and University administrators, including Morningside schools, Columbia Health, Public Safety, and Student Financial Services on disability issues. 

• Presents on behalf of Disability Services throughout campus.  Perform outreach to students, faculty and staff and represents Disability Services at orientation and other events. Provide ongoing technical assistance to faculty, class deans, and other advisors regarding the University's obligations to students with disabilities under the American with Disabilities Act.  Maintain knowledge of current federal, state and local regulations pertinent to students with disabilities in higher education.  Maintain and develop a network of contacts, and actively seek out and participate in professional development activities to ensure a continual flow of current and emerging information in disability service.

• Manage accommodations for visitors and participants in any on-campus event sponsored by the University as well as events not sponsored by the University but held in University facilities.  Perform essential administrative tasks such as supervision of staff and ongoing assessment of services and campus-wide Disability Services initiatives.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor???s degree required in Counselor Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, Special Education or related field. 

• Minimum of 4-5 years of experience in the provisions of services for students with disabilities in a college/university setting or related field. 

• Knowledge of Section 504, ADA regulations and other relevant laws pertaining to disability in higher education.

• Expertise in evaluating documentation of disability; determining eligibility for services and accommodations; and generating a plan for the provision of services and accommodations in collaboration with students, faculty and staff.  

• Proven ability to communicate clearly and interact effectively with students, faculty, and staff from a broad range of programs and disciplines. 

• Supervisory experience required.  Must possess attributes of compassion, patience, and respect for others, as well as sensitivity to multicultural issues.  

• Requires early mornings, evenings, and nights September ??? May.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master???s degree preferred.  

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.