Accessibility Coordinator/Counselor

Published On: June 21, 2023Categories: Jobs

Job Details:

Job Title: Accessibility Coordinator/Counselor

Organization/School: Thaddeus Stevens College

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Description: Job Title: Accessibility Coordinator/Counselor
Department: Academic Affairs, Office of Student Success
Position Status: Full-Time
Directly Reports To: Dean of Student Success
Classification: Exempt
This position reports directly to the Dean of Student Success. The position will oversee all aspects of students with disabilities and those that require accommodations. The individual in this position should have a strong understanding of HIPAA, FERPA and appropriate accommodations on a college campus. A strong understanding of Americans with Disabilities Act, the 2009 Amendment Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is critical to ensure compliance related to students’ rights.
The Accessibility Coordinator/Counselor will work closely with the other counselor to offer counseling and case management services to students related to mental health, substance use, disability, academic, social, and emotional support needs. Special focus on high risk, underrepresented and marginalized groups of students.
The Accessibility Coordinator/Counselor responds to student, faculty and staff referrals regarding attendance, personal, psychological, behavioral and social concerns of students with disabilities.
The Accessibility Coordinator/Counselor provides interventions such as short term, one to one counseling, educational groups, referrals and coordinates services both on campus and in the community for students with disabilities.
The Accessibility Coordinator/Counselor works as a part of a Retention Team to advocate for students with disabilities.
This position has some evening hours during the academic semester.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Accessibility Coordinator 75% of job duties
• Respond to applicant inquiries regarding accessibility services.
• Review applicant documentation to determine accommodations for entrance test and coordinate with admissions test proctor.
• Meet with all students who have disclosed a disability to determine appropriate accommodations following acceptance to the college.
• Develop Accommodations Form for each student and forward this document to instructors, individuals with a “need to know” in a timely manner.
• Work closely with faculty to ensure compliance is occurring in the classroom related to student accommodations.
• Work Closely with Academic Coaches to ensure support, and interventions are compliant with accommodations
• Work closely with Campus Medical Office, Director of Housing, Career Services, Student Services to assure accessibility for students experiencing temporary or chronic medical conditions that require environmental adjustments.
• Meet with any student requesting to withdraw for medical reasons and inform student of documentation and procedure for readmission.
• Meet with all students seeking readmission following a medical withdraw to assure that the student is cleared by physician and has met recommendations agreed to prior to withdrawing. Notify admissions and appropriate administrators of approval for re-admission.
• Provide list of test accommodations for students with disabilities as needed to Office of Assessment for annual NOCTI and ETS
• Coordinate with Office of Assessment with respect to collecting, entering, and reporting of data for Accessibility Services to comply with campus assessment efforts
• Maintain accessibility website
• Identify resources for faculty, staff and students to support inclusion, understanding, and increase success for students with disabilities.
• Maintain files for all students with disabilities enrolled at the college for 7 years, and for all applicants for 1 year..
Counseling- 15%
Provide support to campus mental health counselor when that counselor is unavailable
• Provide individual intervention for any enrolled student who is experiencing personal, academic or career difficulties
• Respond to any student in crisis and intervene with appropriate assessment and referral Coordinate with appropriate campus and community personnel
• Comply with HIPPA regulations with respect to communication and documentation of confidential student information
• Emergency during work hours: If emergency is not resolved within scheduled work hours expected to remain until situation is resolved.
• Emergency outside scheduled hours: Follow up with any student crisis that occurred during non-working hours to assess situation and recommend appropriate intervention
• Meet with any student who is referred by any individual on campus or is self-referred to address personal concerns that may include but are not limited to suicidal thoughts, threatening or odd behavior, depression, poor hygiene, recent loss, poor attendance or tardiness, low test grades, poor social skills, was found with or thought to be using substances, financial or housing difficulties.
• Enter counseling contacts into student information system and retention module as appropriate. Maintain electronic as well as hard copy records for professional compliance and assessment.
• Refer students to appropriate community-based services as appropriate.

Drug and Alcohol 10%
• Intervene as requested with students who have violated the campus code of conduct for substances to assess and refer for treatment.
• Provide programing on drug and alcohol use to comply with Drug Free Schools Act.
• Coordinate with HR, Office of Academic Affairs to provide reasonable suspicion training for faculty and staff

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Assist with data collection and analysis to document service provision and outcomes to support Middle States Accreditation process
• Develop and lead presentations/workshops
• Participate in retention meetings
• Participate in college committee work as assigned
• Maintain files and document all contacts in student information system for 7 years for students accessing counseling for mental health, substance, or disability related issues
• Participate in Orientations, Open House, and special events as needed
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintain compliance with all College policies and procedures.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND/OR ABILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Familiarity with psychological and education assessment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate and coordinate with a diverse team
• Excellent computer proficiency (MS Office – Word, Excel and Outlook)
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks
• Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment.
• Must be able to work under pressure and meet deadlines, while maintaining a positive attitude and providing exemplary customer service
• Ability to work independently and to carry out assignments to completion within parameters of instructions given, prescribed routines, and standard accepted practices
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and work harmoniously with diverse groups of students, faculty, and staff.
• Demonstrated commitment to contribute to a safe work environment.
• Knowledge of and commitment to the college’s mission, purpose, goals, and values
• Ability to balance professional ethics/confidentiality with campus need to know
• Working knowledge of FERPA, ADA and HIPPA Regulations
• Experience working with individuals coping with substance use, abuse and addiction
• Ability to follow college policies and procedures
• A lifetime learner who remains current with respect to evidence-based practices
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Willingness to be flexible, and work in various settings
• General understanding of legal implications related to job duties
• Anility to advocate for student success
• Demonstrated ability to multi-task within a flexible daily schedule.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
• Master’s degree in counseling, or closely related field preferred
• Certification or licensure as a mental health professional preferred
• Experience with individuals with disabilities in an academic setting
• Experience in higher education or secondary school setting and familiar with higher education laws
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with confidential matters
• Bilingual-Preferred

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND/OR PHYSICAL DEMANDS
• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Willingness and ability to travel to different campus locations
• This position may be designated as “Essential” and/or the employee may be required to provide a means to be contacted during non-duty hours for emergencies. In the event of a campus emergency, special event, closure to maintain campus safety or building operations, this position may be required to work outside of regularly scheduled hours.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
Conditions of Employment
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is a residential, two year technical college that serves economically disadvantaged as well as tuition-paying students. The College prepares students for skilled employment in a diverse, ever-changing workforce and for full, effective participation as citizens of the community, the Commonwealth, and the nation. Committed for over a century to lifelong learning, inclusiveness, and community outreach, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology dedicates itself to the development of Pennsylvania’s technical workforce. For information about the College, visit www.stevenscollege.edu.
Application Process: Application materials must include a cover letter, a current resume, and academic transcripts. Send applications to Heather Burky, Attention: Accessibility Coordinator and Counselor, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 750 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 or burky@stevenscollege.edu. Applications will be reviewed upon submission and the posting will remain open until the position is filled.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is an Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology (the “College”) does not discriminate in its educational programs or employment practices based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age (as applicable), religion, ancestry, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification.
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Website: https://stevenscollege.edu/

Start Date: 06/21/23

Application Deadline:

Application URL:

How to Apply: Application Process: Application materials must include a cover letter, a current resume, and academic transcripts. Send applications to Heather Burky, Attention: Accessibility Coordinator and Counselor, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, 750 East King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602 or burky@stevenscollege.edu. Applications will be reviewed upon submission and the posting will remain open until the position is filled.

Contact Information:

Heather Burky
Thaddeus Stevens College

750 E King Street

Lancaster, PA 17602

(717) 391-6935
burky@stevenscollege.edu

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