Disability Specialist

Position Title

Disability Specialist

S04107

Staff

Full-time

Western University Campus-Pomona, CA

California

4201-Harris Family Center for Disability and Health Policy

Under general supervision from the Director of HFCDHP and lead work direction from the Associate Director of HFCDHP, the Disability Specialist provides services to students requesting accommodations through an interactive process, assessment for the presence and severity of disabling conditions, and the study of medical/psychological/educational documents in conjunction with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA) of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and applicable Western University of Health Sciences (WesternU) and HFCDHP policies and procedures to provide reasonable academic accommodations.

• Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior, individual counseling, research, and interview techniques. Ability to obtain factual and interpretive information through interviews.
• General knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the student services field as well as general knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices of the program area to which assigned; general knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge, of the organizational procedures and activities of WesternU colleges.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to effectively interact with faculty, staff, administration, students, healthcare professionals, and outside contacts; ability to communicate with others in person, by telephone, and by email; and facilitate presentations at all levels.
• Excellent computer skills including the ability to navigate Microsoft 365 and Zoom, Teams, draft and format documents in Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, Publisher and any other software program required for this position.

• Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action; advise students individually and in groups on complex student‑related matters; determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature; interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations; analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions, and project consequences of various alternative courses of action.
• Ability to carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals. Ability to use initiative and resourcefulness in planning work assignments and in implementing long‑range program improvements.
• Ability to reason logically; ability to collect, compile, analyze and evaluate data and make verbal or written presentation based on these data.
• Ability to recognize multicultural, multi‑sexed and multi‑aged value systems and work accordingly.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals to include faculty, WesternU administrators, student organizations, and other private and public agencies and others in committee work, student advising, and community contacts.
• Demonstrate a commitment to working in an organization that values and promotes humanism.

• Bachelor’s degree in special education, counseling, guidance, psychology, social work, or a related field.

• 3‑5 years of experience in assessing students with disabilities. Knowledge of ADA and disability legislation as it relates to higher education. An understanding of how to analyze documentation used to assess students with disabilities. Knowledge of college student growth and development.

• Prefer a master’s degree in special education, counseling, guidance, psychology, social work, or a related field.
• Prior experience reviewing, evaluating, and…