Accessibility Specialist

The Accessibility Specialist works with administrators, faculty, and staff across all schools of the University to ensure access to classes, programs, and facilities for students with disabilities. Specifically, this position interacts with students as a compassionate listener as they apply for disability accommodations, reviewing medical documentation and helping to determine reasonable accommodations.

• Meet with students with disabilities to understand their barriers and access needs. Review, evaluate, and interpret disability documentation. Determine appropriate accommodations, in close collaboration with directors. Write timely accommodation letters as appropriate. Provide advising and coaching as necessary.
• Work with faculty of all Pepperdine schools (including graduate and undergraduate) to explain, negotiate, and implement accommodations, consulting with administrators, deans, program directors as needed. Prepare and present workshops to students, faculty, and staff on a regular basis to increase awareness of both disabilities and accommodations. Collaborate with faculty, staff, and the greater Pepperdine community with the goal of Universal Accessibility in all areas of teaching, programming, and design.
• Maintain timely, confidential, and detailed files in Accommodate software reflecting each interaction with an OSA student.
• Serve as support to the alternative text acquisition process, scheduling of sign language interpreters, and securing captioning for students as needed.
• Support the administration of the Malibu Office by actively answering phone calls, responding to emails, and meeting with students, parents, visitors, and prospective students who have questions about accessibility at Pepperdine.
• Support the exam process by proctoring exams when needed. Assist with the processing of Semester Requests and other office procedures.
• Contribute to the coaching of student employees by modeling professional demeanor, respect of all constituents, and exceptional communication skills.
• Provide input into OSA policies and assessment of services for students with disabilities. Keep current on Office of Civil Rights guidance and Disability Law in Higher Education.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Required:

• Master's Degree in a related field or two years’ experience in a related professional setting as part of a collaborative team.
• Experience in higher education setting, specifically in student counseling or disability studies.
• Understanding of disability theory, identity, and experience.
• Familiarity with accommodations.
• Excellent judgment and problem‑solving skills in a nuanced setting.
• Meticulous attention to detail;
  Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Positive and empathetic approach to team and work environment;
  Ability to work under stress and maintain calm and flexibility with changing priorities in a fast‑paced environment;
  Capacity to follow through tasks to completion;
  Collaborative approach to work;
  Commitment to creating a just and fair environment for students of diverse backgrounds.
• Understanding of FERPA and HIPAA in the context of OSA.
• Google Suite, Mac and PC capabilities.

• Master's Degree in Counseling, Higher Education, or Special Education.
• Experience with implementation of accommodations in graduate schools or health care setting.
• Knowledge of current assistive technology, Accommodate/Symplicity software, and People Soft.

This is a Restricted, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $27.88 - $29.80 per hour

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition…