Residential Access Specialist

Residential Access Specialist

Student Life | Disability Services

Student Life Disability Services (SLDS) at The Ohio State University is a department within Student Life’s Strategy, Impact and Academic Partnerships team.

Student Life Disability Services collaborates with and empowers students to engage fully, learn without barriers and thrive within the university community by providing support services and education to advance equal access.

The Residential Access (Res Access) Specialist works within SLDS in collaboration with students, staff, and faculty to improve campus accessibility and engagement in their residential university experience. This position’s primary focus is to review disability documentation and student narratives as part of the interactive process to determine eligibility for reasonable accommodations and services. This position requires knowledge acquisition of physical, experiential, programmatic, legal, and policy-related rights and barriers that students with disabilities may encounter within the residential experience.

These include but are not limited to accommodations related to housing contracts and assignments, residential programs, dining plans, emotional support animals, and other residentially-based accommodation requests. This position collaborates with and serves on accommodation review teams to work in close alignment and consultation with Student Life units including Housing & Residence Education, Dining Services, Facilities, Counseling & Consultation Service, and the Student Health Center.

This role also counsels, advises, and reviews academic and other co-curricular non-residential student accommodation requests; maintains confidential information and database records; documents communication regarding students, partner offices, and instructors; refers students to campus and community resources; serves as an advocate for access; works to implement accommodations to ensure compliance with applicable laws and policies; contributes to policy and office literature development;

conducts outreach and educational workshops, training, and presentations; and serves on University committees and task forces and acts as a liaison for other departments; provides central administrative support including responding to office inquiries via e mail, phone, and at front desk when needed. Assists with exam proctoring during high-volume periods. Supervises interns or student employees, as needed. Final candidate must successfully complete a background check.

Office of Student Life Mission Statement:
The Office of Student Life fosters students’ development, learning, well-being and sense of belonging; empowers students to achieve their academic, personal and professional goals; and prepares students to be engaged in a global society.

• Bachelor’s degree in education, human services, social work, or related field
• 4 years of relevant work experience
• Excellent administrative skills and ability to manage multiple complex situations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Understanding of academic accommodations
• Ability to build and maintain professional relationships and work collaboratively on a team
• Strong ability to assess a situation and problem-solve appropriately
• Working knowledge of common computer applications (e.g. word processing, PowerPoint, Excel)

• Master’s degree in higher education/student affairs, human services, social work, rehabilitation counseling, or related field
• 4-8 years of relevant experience
• Experience working with individuals with disabilities
• Experience working with students in higher education in a residential setting
• Knowledge of disabilities and relevant laws
• Knowledge of…