Job Description

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) assists the university with its mission of promoting students’ academic success, personal growth, and development of life skills. SSD works to ensure that students with disabilities receive equal access to curricular and co-curricular opportunities in the university community, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008.

Reporting to the associate director, the Access Specialist serves as a full-time administrative/professional faculty member. The access specialist provides direct services to students and families seeking information on disability resources, coordinates the interactive process for reasonable accommodation requests, and assist with office tasks. The Access Specialist must demonstrate a commitment to equity, knowledge about disability services, and appreciation for human diversity.

Core Responsibilities:

Maintain a caseload to include direct services, reviewing documentation, establishing eligibility, determining appropriate student accommodations, assisting with problem solving, and communicating among faculty, staff, parents and students.

Independently and collaboratively determine reasonable accommodations for students in university programs in a clear, well-documented, timely, and effective manner.

Ensure and assist with the implementation of accommodations such as note taking, alternate text requests, furniture coordination and accommodated exams.

Maintain accurate records.

Collaborate with campus partners and coordinate SSD participation in the Workforce Recruitment Program

Participate in the continued development and refinement of SSD operations

Required Qualifications

The successful candidate will possess:

Bachelor’s degree and/or equivalent amount of experience working in disability services in higher education.

Experience communicating effectively with multiple stakeholders

Experience working in the field of disability services, rehabilitation services, higher education, social work, etc.

Strong organizational skills to effectively manage multiple requests and competing deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

Experience providing individual and/or small group instruction to students

Demonstrated ability convey complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$42,000 - $45,000

Review Date

06/05/2023

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

About Student Affairs

Student Affairs at Virginia Tech fosters a community where each student creates a customized experience to meet their goals. Building on our motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. We seek candidates who adopt and practice our Principles of Community, which are fundamental to our ongoing efforts to increase access and inclusion and to create a community that nurtures learning and growth. We are actively seeking people to join our community and help us prepare leaders for the world. Our people in Student Affairs are committed to student well-being and assuring that all students Experience VT by demonstrating, supporting, and operationalizing our Aspirations for Student Learning. If you are someone dedicated to ensuring student success, then we want you to consider being a part of our team!

About Services for Students with Disabilities

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) strives to create an accessible and inclusive campus community. We collaborate with campus partners to remove barriers and meet the individualized access needs of disabled students. SSD supports success through the promotion of student learning and the development of advocacy skills.